1. MINISTERIO DE FOMENTO CENTRO DE ESTUDIOS Y EXPERIMENTACIÓN DE OBRAS PÚBLICAS DIRECCIÓN GENERAL DE PLANIFICACIÓN Y COORDINACIÓN TERRITORIAL SECRETARÍA DE ESTADO DE INFRAESTRUCTURAS Y PLANIFICACIÓN Professor Tony May Institute for Transport Studies University of Leeds Encuentro: “Transporte urbano” Madrid, 18 de noviembre de 2004 Urban Transport Plans: is there a role for national government?

2. Professor Tony May Institute for Transport Studies University of Leeds

3. Urban Transport Plans Why are urban transport plans needed? What is the case for national government involvement? How might national government support urban transport plans? What form might such plans take? The example of Local Transport Plans in England

4. Why are urban transport plans needed? Urban areas are the focus of many problems –Congestion costs 0.5% of GDP and is likely to double in the next decade –Most urban residents suffer excessive pollution 97% exposed to excess particulates –Traffic noise affects many residents 100m exposed to levels above 55dBA –Most traffic accidents are in urban areas 70% of all accidents, 50% of fatalities

5. The vision for sustainable urban transport Supports freedom of movement, health, safety, quality of life now and in the future Is environmentally efficient Supports a vibrant, inclusive economy, giving access to opportunities and services for all Source: DGEnv Working Group on Sustainable Urban Transport

6. Why are urban transport plans needed? There is a wide range of possible solutions –Some more cost effective than others –Some more likely to have adverse impacts An integrated approach is preferable –But can be difficult to design There is a wide range of actors –All of whom need to know what is planned –And all of whom need to be committed

7. The vision for sustainable urban transport Promotes more rational use of private cars Favours energy efficient, clean vehicles Provides a quality public transport network Strengthens the share of walking, cycling Makes efficient use of land Manages transport demand Is integrated, involves all stakeholders Source: DGEnv Working Group on Sustainable Urban Transport

8. What is the case for national government involvement? Approaches to sustainable urban transport well understood But serious barriers to implementation –Poor policy integration and coordination –Counterproductive institutional roles –Unsupportive regulatory frameworks –Weaknesses in pricing and finance –Poor data quality and quantity –Lack of political will Source: Implementing sustainable urban transport policies: ECMT

9. What is the case for national government involvement? Acknowledging urban transport problems –As of direct concern to the nation Providing leadership, vision –To stimulate local politicians, professionals Encouraging best practice –Accepting that local skills may be variable Ensuring equitable allocation of funds –In a cost-effective way

10. How might governments support urban transport plans? Establishing a clear vision of sustainable urban transport Creating a framework for action –Objectives, indicators, appraisal, monitoring –Range of policy instruments –Stakeholder involvement Offering guidance to promote sustainable urban transport Source: DGEnv Working Group on Sustainable Urban Transport

11. How might governments support urban transport plans? Making financial support conditional on acceptable plans –Consistent financing for all policy measures Setting appropriate regulatory frameworks –For public transport, vehicle safety, emissions Encouraging marginal cost pricing –Which charges for externalities Promoting public awareness Source: DGEnv Working Group on Sustainable Urban Transport

12. How might governments support urban transport plans? Improving governance, coordination –Between transport and land use –Between transport and other sectors –Between authorities in a region –Between the public and private sector –Between different tiers of government –With stakeholders and interest groups Source: DGEnv Working Group on Sustainable Urban Transport

13. What form might plans take? Guidance available from PROSPECTS –Procedures for Recommending Optimal Sustainable Planning of European City Transport Systems –Providing cities with guidance in generating optimal land use and transport strategies to meet the challenge of sustainability in their particular circumstances –Funded by EC DG Research

14. The Decision Makers’ Guidebook

15. A logical structure

16. Possible objectives PROSPECTS suggested objectives –Economic efficiency –Protection of the environment –Liveable streets and neighbourhoods –Safety –Equity and social inclusion –Contribution to economic growth –Inter-generational equity Nationally specified or locally selected

17. Policy instruments The PROSPECTS list –Land use measures –Infrastructure provision –Infrastructure management (and services) –Information provision –Attitudinal measures –Pricing Need to consider all types of approach

18. Contribution of policy instruments Contribution of policy instruments in City Centres EfficienciaMedio ambienteHabitabilidadSeguridadEquidadEconomiaGeneraciones futuras Usos del suelo   Infraestructuras   Gestión   Información    Actitudes   Cobro por uso de infraestructuras   Key:  Contribucion escasa  Contribucion grande

19. Types of barrier The PROSPECTS list –Legal and institutional –Financial –Political and cultural –Practical and technological Many of which can be reduced by government action

20. Political barriers in European cities

21. Key elements of a strategy The PROSPECTS list –Reducing the need to travel –Reducing car use –Improving public transport –Improving the road network Second stage issues –Freight –Walking and cycling –Special needs

22. Contributions to strategy Contribución a la estrategia Elemento clave de la estrategia Reducción de la necesidad de viajar Reducción del nº de viajes en coche Mejora del sistema de transporte público Mejora del rendimiento de la red de carreteras Instrumentos Usos del suelo Infraestructura Gestión Información Actitud Cobro por el uso de las infraestructuras Clave : Pequeña contribución Gran contribución

23. The benefits of integration One policy measure can complement another by –Reinforcing its benefits –Overcoming financial barriers –Overcoming political barriers –Compensating losers E.g.: public transport improvements and road pricing

24. An integration matrix Matriz de integración de medidas Instrumentos Tipo de contribución Usos del sueloInfraestructuraGestiónInformaciónActitudTarificación Usos del suelo Infraestructura Gestión Información Actitud Cobro por el uso de las infraestructuras Clave:  Refuerzo de los beneficios Superación de barreras financieras Superación de barreras legales Compensación a los perjudicados

25. Local Transport Plans in England Introduced in 2000 –Based on 27 years’ experience with requirements for annual Transport Policies Five year plans to 2005 –With Annual Progress Reports –Next round of Plans due in July 2005 Compulsory, with specified structure Used as basis for government funding

26. Local Transport Plans in England Specified structure –Objectives Based on national objectives, with local emphasis –Problems Now and in future, based on objectives –Strategy With justification, comparison of alternatives –Specific policies Based on government guidance –Performance indicators and targets

27. Local Transport Plans in England Regular assessment of performance –Initial Plans and Annual Progress Reports –Assessed on a five point scale Well above average to well below average –Some financial support withheld for poor performance –Support and advice for poor performers –National awards for the best performers

28. Local Transport Plans in England The process itself has been evaluated –In two major studies for Department for Transport –By the Commission for Integrated Transport Perhaps too dirigiste to be acceptable in other countries But widely welcomed by English local government