THE MOST RELEVANT PUBLIC TRANSPORT DEVELOPMENT PLANS
On the one hand, the mobility of society contributes to social and economic development, on the other, generates adverse effects (congestion, accidents, pollution of environment, noise, etc.). In order to counteract excessive negative impact of transport it is necessary to rationalize the division of tasks between public and individual (mainly private cars) transport. Sustainable transport especially in cities requires reduced number and distance of travels made by the inhabitants. Therefore, the sustainable transport development requires proper spatial development and optimal public transport development.
To make sustainable development of public transport possible it is necessary to plan it. The basic instrument used for planning and management of public transport in numerous European cities (in some countries the obligation to develop plans for sustainable development of public transport is imposed by legislator) are regularly developed and widely consulted with all stakeholders interested in transport plans. The introduction of transport plans helps to offer more effective public services as well as more attractive for passengers. Thanks to transport plans it is possible to:
•adapt the number and quality of public transport services to the preferences and expectations of passengers (including people with disabilities),
•ensure the quality of public transport services so that public transport becomes real alternative for passengers traveling by private cars,
•coordinate actions and plans for transport development on various levels (local, regional and national), as well as coordinate transport development with local spatial development plans,
•reduce adverse impact of transport (both collective and individual) on the environment,
•provide expected economic and financial effectiveness of developed solutions regarding developing the transport offer and infrastructure.
Transport planning is defined as “planning required in the operation, provision and management of facilities and services for the modes of transport to achieve safer, faster, comfortable, convenient, economical and environment-friendly movement of people and goods”.
