Is transport planning fit for purpose?

Lyons, Glenn

Abstract

Transport planning to those outside the profession may be invisible or misconstrued, yet for those on the inside we see its significance to each and every person in society. Transport planning is about developing the transport system and its use in a way that supports and shapes the sort of society that we want. Our young profession has grown up in turbulent times. This paper charts a recent journey the author has had the privilege of taking into the matter of whether or not transport planning is fit for purpose and, if it is not, what needs to change. The conclusion reached is that the status quo is not an option.

The paper provides some further elaboration of the context for the paper’s title question and then sets out what the purpose of transport planning is understood to be. It considers two contrasting policymaking pathways for transport planning before then summarising the views of 200 transport professionals on these matters. The need for change becomes readily apparent and this includes the importance of rethinking robustness in transport analysis. Ensuring transport planning is fit for purpose is incumbent upon all of us within the profession and one focal point for this is the Transport Planning Professional qualification. The paper briefly reflects upon a 10-year review of the TPP and what its stakeholders have to say.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: The 16th Annual Transport Practitioners' Meeting
• Start Date: Jul 5, 2018
• End Date: Jul 6, 2018
• Acceptance Date: Jul 6, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 7, 2019
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: transport planning, analytical robustness, policymaking pathways, uncertainty
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/864723
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : The 16th Annual Transport Practitioners' Meeting