TRANSPORT NETWORK PLANNING: THEORETICAL NOTIONS

2.2

CHAPTER TWO

regional scale. Parties that have worked with this methodology cite the following key features:
1. As a basis of the analysis, separate from the present infrastructure, an ideal network
is designed.
2. Design occurs together with the stakeholders on the basis of clear, practicable steps.
By creating an ideal network separate from the network that is present, a very clear insight
is gained into the structure of the network since it is not obscured by the existing situation
which has emerged historically and therefore is not always ideal. Confronting this ideal
situation with the existing situation will allow weaknesses in the structure to come to light.
A second function of the ideal network is providing a long-term horizon within which shortterm measures have to fit.
By reducing the theoretically highly complex design problem to a number of successive
design steps or decisions, this methodology provides insight and is applicable in practical
situations. What is important in this respect is that for each step there is commitment from
the stakeholders before the next step is taken. It is, then, most effective when the methodology is used in a workshop-type situation whereby these parties themselves participate in
the design process.
The result of the methodology is that stakeholders gain a clear picture of the crucial
dilemmas and decisions. The methodology prevents thinking in terms of end solutions. Instead, the functions of the different parts of the network can be analyzed in terms of whether
they actually fulfill the functions for which they were designed or to which they are now
assigned. The function of a particular part of the network is thereby the leading factor for
form and technique. Analysis may result in a whole palette of possible recommendations,
from no action through traffic management, function adjustment coupled to modification of
the road design and disentangling or expanding existing connections, to the construction of
new junctions or new connections. This can be phased in, for instance by first applying
traffic management and then in the longer term building new junctions or connections.

2.2

A FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF TRANSPORT SYSTEMS

The approach described in this chapter is based on a classification of transport systems
(ECMT 1998). This classification (see Table 2.1) is used to emphasize that what matters is
the quality that is offered, not the modes and technologies used. It distinguishes five levels
of scale (represented by their trip length) and two different types of organization (individual
or collective transport). Roughly speaking, the term individual systems refers to road networks and the term collective systems refers to public transportation networks.
The design method focuses on the national (state) and regional level (I-3 and I-2, and
C-3 and C-2), but is not limited to this level. Figure 2.1 shows the different subsystems, as
well as the connections (the arrows in Figure 2.1) between different scale levels and between
the individual and collective systems. The focus of this chapter is highlighted in gray.

2.3

KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DESIGN METHOD

Designing successful transportation networks requires more than the application of the functional classification. In order to assist stakeholders in the design process, a step-by-step
design process was set up. It is not a blueprint that tells stakeholders exactly what to do,
merely a framework within which they make decisions. The stakeholders get to make the
designs, but the method brings structure to the design process, by indicating which decisions

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