From myth to science in urban and transport planning: From uncontrolled to controlled and responsible urban development in transport planning

Abstract

Fossil energy use for mechanical transport modes enhanced travel speed far above human evolutionary experience, which is walking speed. Transport became faster and more convenient for people and industry. But planning had to be done without knowing the effects of these new modes. Individual experiences were extrapolated to the system and myths were created, like ‘growth of mobility’, ‘time saving by speed’ and ‘freedom of modal choice’. Scientific based analysis show that these are real myths. These effects do not exist in the system. The number of trips is constant, travel time can not be saved in the system; speed lengthens distances and freedom of choice is limited by human evolution. Benefits from time saving can not be calculated any more and car traffic flow is only the effect of mistakes in parking organisation.

Keywords:

• transport planning
• travel time saving
• modal split
• human behaviour
• growth of mobility
• traffic forecast
• individual experience
• system effects
• evolutionary epistemology
• urban transport