Modal Basics

Rail-based mass transit systems can form the structural backbone of urban areas, provided that the land use generates demand patterns which are condusive to concentrated high volume services. The high densities surrounding the urban rail system in Singapore can be seen in the picture. In Australia such densities around rail stations are rare, and the potential value of the railway can be enhanced or inhibited by the quality of the local public transport systems around stations and the degree to which their operations are integrated with the railway.

The use of waterways to move people - and sometimes goods - is a great boon for those places sufficiently blessed by geography. Ferries present interesting issues. The unique physical constraints (draught, wash, waves etc) are compounded by conceptual issues, especially where ferries operate on routes more complex than a simple shuttle. The vessel is a large, expensive and indivisible object and it requires keen understanding of user demand patterns to optimise the deployment of a fleet of ferries.

Any consideration of sustainability in transport must quickly identify the fundamental desirability of walking and cycling relative to more resource-intensive modes. They are often referred to as "non-motorised transport". Things of value are rarely described by what they are not - think of non-whites in the old South Africa, for instance - and so this description is quite revealing of implicit values. I prefer to refer to these modes as the CHIEF sector - because it is Cheap, Healthy, Independent, Equitable and Fun. And to be the Chief Transport Planner in any organisation, you would have to understand this vital but often neglected element of the transport system.

The private motor car is one of the most liberating inventions of the last hundred years. Unfortunately, its dark side also stems from the same features which make it so useful and attractive.

It is PRIVATE. Plus - secure and unrestricted mobility (subject to traffic conditions). Minus - limited access, erosion and/or disfigurement of the public domain.

It has a MOTOR. Plus - powerful, load-carrying, quick, shrinks distance. Minus - consumes non-renewable resources in manufacture and operation, creates waste products (emissions, scrap) which we do not deal with well.

And it is a CAR, Plus - comfort, user's self-image (independence, status, sexual prowess etc). Minus - congestion, danger (high-speed heavy machinery operated mostly by amateurs).

The economic performance of a region, and hence its prosperity, is influenced by the degree of efficiency of its freight systems. The distribution of demand between road and rail is a strong issue, although in reality the two are much more complementary than competitive. A dramatic rise in travel by light commercial vehicles is now being felt, as distribution systems hone their efficiency and customers demand more instant and dispersed services.

Buses are the workhorses of urban and regional public transport systems. The potential of road-based public transport is generally under-appreciated. Buses and coaches come in many varieties and can be matched with a range of priority systems and specialised infrastructure. Often when "bus" is being compared to other modes, there are implicit assumptions about what features may or may not be associated with it, and the comparison may not be like-for-like. The presence or absence of a dedicated right of way is a particularly significant factor in determining performance.

To some people, light rail and/or monorails are exciting new technology. To others, they are updated versions of very old technology. Debate over such issues can often be heated. In practice, both types of system - and other innovative technologies - can offer unique attributes relative to other modes. Light rail is particularly good at serving medium- to high-density corridors with many short overlapping trips. Monorails may be feasible when there are obstacles impassable to surface systems. If the potential site calls for those attributes, then such systems may match or out-perform other options.