Carrots are measures introduced to entice people out of their cars. They include:
Road BuildingSee the topic: The Other Option... Road Building.
Bus ProgressionThis is a general term for the provision of bus lanes, bus ways (like the Leeds guided bus), and traffic signal junction priority. All these measures are aimed at improving the bus services in a certain area.
Would a bus have an easier journey in this situation. What about if a bus lane was provided?
Guided bus, Leeds
Buses, generally, have a lot of problems to overcome if they are to become a serious alternative to the car. The video of the 'Traffic' programme about London's buses is useful for looking at some of these problems, and the attempts being made to solve them.
Question...?Is it acceptable that a driver/conductor should not just turn up? Consider if it would be for an airline who has a 747 full of people but no pilot!
Look at some of the initiatives that are being either implemented or planned in London to improve the bus service. They are typical of nationwide schemes (Transport For London - www.transportforlondon.gov.uk/buses).
Other measures being used to promote bus use include:
These measures may been seen as sticks rather than carrots, but they do result in benefits for buses. In the case of the Congestion Charge for example, some of the money raised will be spent on improving the bus service, and those who use the bus do not pay the charge.
Question...?What is the future for buses in London?
The borough councils hope to improve reliability, frequency and quantity of bus routes, and improve the information given to the public. But, as the video showed, is this possible when the bus companies are faced with an ageing fleet, poor image and low staff morale and staff shortages.
The bus is a heavily underused facility in the UK. There is massive scope for improvement in services, yet the ultimate question has to be would people ever be enticed out of their cars?
Car sharing and HOV lanes
This is a possible strategy for reducing congestion when one considers that the majority of commuters travel alone in their cars to work. High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes would provide those drivers with a passenger with a less congested route to work. Used extensively in the USA, they seem to have some positive effects. However, enforcement may be a problem.
Promotion of cycling and walkingIn the videos watched in class, how many trips to the shops or schools were made that were within a mile or two? Cycling and walking may not be attractive in poor weather, but at other times it is not only environmentally friendly, but free and healthy!
Cycling is generally free, clean and healthy too!
New forms of public transportSee the topic: Light Rail and Other Mass Rapid Transit Systems.
Park and ride
This is a scheme whereby people wishing to travel by car into large towns and cities are discouraged from doing so to alleviate congestion. Motorists park their cars in a large car park on the outskirts of a town, and a shuttle bus takes them to the centre of the shopping area. The frequency of buses and cost is often the deciding factor when given the choice of park and ride or a city centre car park. Park and ride is in use in many towns and cities across the country and has helped reduce traffic congestion.
Interchanges and integrated transportThis was one of the central themes in the government's 1998 White Paper. Having to break a journey into several components (bus/train/taxi) is often a hassle when using public transport, whereas if done by car, it would not be split up. If through ticketing and a standard fare structure were to be set up, public transport may seem more attractive. The important point is to notice where modal shift [gloss.] occurs – usually at large train stations, town centres etc, and provide interchanges with proper facilities for the traveller. This will have the effect of encouraging people to use public transport when connecting to long distance journeys by rail or air. New 'parkway' railway stations located at airports and motorway junctions can help this.
Intelligent transport systemsSee the topic: Technology and Transport: Intelligent transport systems.
Encouraging behavioural changeThis is the aim of all of the carrot and stick methods, and can be helped by public awareness campaigns and information provision.
 topic overview |
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introduction |
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the 'car culture' - a brief synopsis |
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carrots |
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sticks |
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road-user charging |
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organisation travel plans |
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exam-style questions |
module material study tools useful info home
Transport Issues
last modified: 21-Dec-2007
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