Philosophical elements of transport planning

Long-term transport planning looks ahead 15-25 years and is built on a few basic philosophical elements (principles).

1. Systematic and comprehensive approach: the whole transport system (all modes, users, land use) is studied together and not road by road.
2. Goals and objectives first: the community decides what it wants (mobility, safety, economy, environment) before facilities are chosen.
3. Forecasting: demand is predicted using population, income, land use and vehicle growth.
4. Alternatives and evaluation: several plans are prepared and compared by cost-benefit and other criteria such as social and environmental effects.
5. Continuity (continuing process): planning is regularly updated as conditions change - plan, implement, monitor, review.
6. Co-operation and public participation: government, planners, users and local people take part.
7. Land use-transport integration and intermodal coordination.
8. Sustainability and flexibility: the plan should protect the environment, use resources wisely, and be staged so that it can adjust to future change.
9. Financial feasibility: the plan must be within available funds and be implementable.
10. Equity: benefits for all groups, including the poor and the disabled.