Transport Studies and the Quality of Life

Abstract

A definition of transport studies is offered with the claim that the purpose of this field of study is to obtain understanding that can be used to help to improve the economic, social, and physical conditions of people's lives to the extent that these are affected by the transport system and its use. A number of examples of this process in action in the fields of transport planning, operation, and safety are described and discussed, emphasising how the achievement of improvements depends upon understanding not only what changes are likely to be beneficial but also how people will respond to attempts to bring about these changes. The examples are concerned with injury to occupants of colliding vehicles, accidents associated with driving after drinking alcohol, the competition between activities and movement for space in congested urban areas, and the operation of a main radial route into a city centre. In conclusion, current attempts to assess the wide range of effects that transport changes can have upon the quality of life are related to the writings of Jeremy Bentham, whose thinking contributed strongly to the foundation of University College London 150 years ago.