Transport Developments and Innovations in an Evolving World [Paperback]

The technological developments as well as urban future of an information age where the development of ICT sets the pace and options is explored in this book. The text examines the current state of daily travelling, and highlights the achievable impact and acceptability of transport policy measures. Freight transport is discussed from an industry viewpoint. In addition, the text presents various innovative approaches to rearranging current freight transport networks. Methods to evaluate the societal consensus related to the spatial development - linked to transport infrastructures - are also described. Still further, the text discuses methods for assessing spatial planning policies.

Our world is continuously changing as new technologies are developed, demographic patterns evolve and new social and political configurations emerge. However, most people would agree that, not unlike the time of the Industrial Revolution, the rate of change has accelerated over the last few decades. It is certainly the case of many economic activities, where the trend towards globalization, supported by a faster diffusion of knowledge and information, economies of scale, the opening of borders and improved transport networks, has induced a spatial redistribution of production and ownership. Until recently, the concomitant economic growth eased the way towards the necessary reorganization, but, at the same time, created additional environmental and transport problems. This phenomenon is pervasive all around the globe, but it particularly affects the European continent, which is still fragmented by administrative, cultural and linguistic differences, national boundaries and rivalries. In this context, the slow, but persistent drive towards market integration and deregulation makes Europe an extraordinary laboratory for politicians, economic researchers and especially for transport analysts.1 Introduction.- 2 The Political Economy of Transport Innovations.- 3 ICTs and AcceslÃ