Abstract: The article considers the development of Environmental Impact Assessment studies that have recently been applied at an early, more strategic stage of development at the level of policies, plans and programmes In the UK such studies have been primarily the environmental appraisal of local authority development plans It is considered that such appraisals are useful in incorporating environmental issues more closely into the original planning and development process

Abstract: Congestion on roads is a pressing problem for most metropolitan areas around the world. Many instruments have been suggested to resolve part of the congestion problem. In this paper two of these will be addressed, road pricing and motorist information systems (MIS). The first is regarded by most transportation researchers as the best instrument; the latter is generally viewed as a user friendly tool for tackling congestion. Much research has been carried out to

Abstract: This paper identifies the need to design new financing schemes for telematics projects. It reviews the key concepts to be considered when evaluating the different approaches to improving the likelihood of achieving desirable, efficient, and timely deployment of investments in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). First, a classification framework is presented for evaluating the efficiency of ownership mechanisms for delivering infrastructure goods and services. Then externalities in cost estimation are discussed, leading to a critical evaluation of the potential roles of public and private organisations in such delivery. Special attention is paid to the issue of risk, which affects any new modern financing scheme for infrastructure projects sponsored by a mix of public and private organisations. Such schemes should ensure that the ownership structure reflects the costs and benefits for these organisations. A suitable theoretical formulation is available in the form of four indices for evaluating the economic, political, construction, and project risks of an infrastructure project bond: (1) reliability, the project's success probability; (2) resiliency, how quickly a failed project can recover; (3) vulnerability, the severity of failure consequences; and (4) robustness of cost estimates.

Abstract: The paper examines whether and how far telematics can be expected to replace travel, and investigates the role of telematics as an environmental policy measure. A behavioural approach to the study of the substitution of various types of travel indicates that telematics seems likely to have only a limited role for environmental policy. The desired environmental impacts of telematics are outlined. Three major types of teleactivities, which could reduce travel, are defined: (1) telework; (2) teleshopping; and (3) teleconferencing. Naive models of telematics effects on transport are criticised. A more 'scholarly' model of telematics must consider: (1) the direct impacts of a single activity; (2) the indirect impacts of a single activity; (3) the aggregation of benefits and costs; and (4) long-term synergistic effects of changes in telematics, land use, and activities in a computerised society. The author discusses the potential impacts of teleactivities, although not convinced that telework will have profound effects on transport, but sees a clear trend to encourage shopping as a leisure activity.

Abstract: This paper uses evidence from the European Union's DRIVE II telematics research programme ROMANSE, to assess the contribution of transport telematics (TT) to urban transport policy. Technology contributes to achieving all the main urban transport policy objectives, but TT's contributions to them may be more selective. TT systems and services may be classified by their functions: (1) traffic and vehicle control; (2) tracking, vehicle location, and vehicle identification; (3) pricing, ticketing, and booking; (4) navigation and guidance; and (5) information provision. The following policy issues are discussed: (1) the role of government in relation to TT implementation; (2) some potential problems of TT from a policy perspective; and (3) TT and equity issues. The measurement of benefits of information in ROMANSE is considered. Evidence from ROMANSE and other similar projects shows that telematics has potential benefits, but that its evaluation procedures must be reassessed to optimise these benefits. TT systems could help to implement some existing policy instruments, bring new dimensions to transport policy, especially in information provision, guidance, pricing, and ticketing, and also bring new benefits to travellers.

Abstract: This paper reports a case study from Italy, which investigates the market potential of driver information systems for individual car drivers. The development of advanced transport telematics (ATT) is driven not only by the need to reduce congestion and road accidents, but also by its huge potential market among individual drivers and commercial road freight operators. This market potential is investigated by relating perceived information needs to traffic conditions. It is necessary to consider the factors causing spatial variations in the inter-urban ATT potential: (1) factors related to socioeconomic structures; (2) factors related to motorway traffic and infrastructure; and (3) attitudes of motorway users. The characteristics of Italian urban and regional road networks, and networks segments, are described, together with level of service, traffic flows, heavy vehicle flows, and accident rates. A spatial analysis of Italian motorway drivers' attitudes is outlined. Weather information services seem more popular in some northern corridors. The need for congestion information devices seems relatively strong round main city rings and feeding corridors. Accident signalling technology is seen as specially important on some dangerous links in north-east Italy.

Abstract: This paper reviews the potential impacts of telematic technologies on road transport. It addresses both beneficial and adverse effects, and considers the most attractive route towards implementing these new technologies. The application of information and communication technologies (ICT) to road transport is known as Advanced Transport Telematics (ATT). ATT aims to improve the performance of the transport sector by various technological innovations, focusing on the behavioural changes of travellers resulting from better information provision. ATT systems where user response is important can be classified into: (1) capacity management systems; (2) demand management systems; and (3) driver information systems. The main group of actors, interested in using ATT, are individual road users, infrastructure owners and managers, and the industrial sector. The paper evaluates evidence of user response to ATT in public transport information systems and driver information systems. Although ATT has a huge potential, it may not have the expected benefits. Rather than improving the efficiency of transport and reducing external costs, ATT may increase levels of congestion and trip lengths across the road network as a whole. Five of its specific issues are identified.