Transport, land use and economics

Abstract

Traditionally, transport schemes are valued on their user benefits, the most prominent of these being time savings. Increasing speed is always seen as being a good thing. This paper explains that transport schemes can result in unforeseen consequences; people often use the speed improvements as an opportunity to move further away, whereas increased density should be encouraged, as it is more efficient and generates economic benefits. It goes on to examine the relationship between transport and land use, explaining why this matters, and concludes that it is important for transport appraisals to have some way of including the land-use response.