Overview
The NRP 41 was launched by the Federal Council at the end of 1995 to improve the scientific basis on which Switzerland's traffic problems might be solved, taking into account the growing interconnection with Europe, ecological limits, and economic and social needs. The NRP 41 aimed to become a think-tank for sustainable transport policy. Each one of the 54 projects belongs to one of the following six modules:
- A Mobility: Socio-institutional Aspects
- B Mobility: Socio-economical Aspects
- C Environment: Tools and Models for Impact Assessments
- D Political and Economic Strategies and Prerequisites
- E Traffic Management: Potentials and Impacts
- F Technologies: Potentials and Impacts
- M Materials
- S Synthesis Projects
- Definition of recreational traffic and sustainable recreational traffic. Subdivision of the recreational traffic into categories (Special Events, Ski and Snowboarding Excursions, Overnight Breaks).
- Examination of factors, attitudes and decision-making mechanisms, which determine recreational traffic.
- Strategies and measures for sustainable forms of recreational traffic.
Detailed empirical surveys were carried out on the recreational activities 'Special Events', 'Ski and Snowboarding Day Trips' and 'Overnight Breaks' to examine the predetermining factors of recreational traffic, the attitudes and the decision-making mechanisms (reasons) for the choice of the means of transport. In addition 30 interviews were made with sectoral experts (transport-engineers, spatial planning, the tourist industry and environment engineers) to evaluate the effectiveness and the acceptance of measures for sustainability in the recreational traffic, to elaborate strategies.
Funding
Results
Predetermining factors such as 'spatial structures' and 'access to the automobile' determine recreational traffic:
'Spatial structures' (where is the home, where is the activity located) and 'access to the automobile' predetermine the choice of the means of transport for recreational purposes. Households that are centrally located will tend to use public transport for long distances much more frequently if the location of the recreational activity is well served by public transport. Households that do not own an automobile tend to use public transport also in their leisure time, although this varies from activity to activity.
Large-scale events:
Large scale events (orbit in Basle, Basle Trade Fair) are already well developed by eco-friendly transport (public, on foot, bicycle). Only 30% of the public use their automobile. Of these 30%, only 10% claim to be die-hard personal motor vehicle users. If public transport offers rapid, direct and comfortable transport and connections, opportunities for a better modal split are good.
Ski and snowboard day trippers:
More than 80 percent of winter sports day trippers use their private car. A bare 15 % use public transport and 5% travel by coach. Ski- or snowboardt-daytourists prefer the own car, even if they are loyal public transport users. Only one third of winter sports day trippers make regular use of public transport. Just people who doesn't have access to a motor vehicle and those who live in central locations, use public transport for a winter sports day trip.
Overnigt brakes:
67% of people on an overnight break, travel by private motor vehicle. 20% use the public transport. 7% travel by plane, and 4% by coaches (2% others). For overnight trippers the factors 'time' and 'comfort' are very important for the choice of the mean of transport.
Policy implications
Parking-space management in built-up areas and the promotion of energy-efficient vehicles, are both environmentally effective and politically high accepted. Political players should therefore focus on these measures. Elements as the promotion of environmentally compatible means of transport for major events, noise protection measures along major transit routes and parking-space management in holiday resorts are also well accepted, but less effetive. Nevertheless these measures are useful. Other elements are less relevant to the environment and are politically bad accepted. These elements are: parking spaces in outlying areas and the construction of under-ground parking lots or noise protection measures in holiday resorts. A 1.20 CHF hike on the price of gasoline would doubtless be highly effective but is unlikely to be accepted by the electorate - in other words, it would be good for the environment, but will hardly be implemented.
Passenger
Key Findings
• Predetermining factors such as 'spatial structures' and 'access to the automobile' determine recreational traffic.
• Large scale events are already well developed by eco-friendly transport. If public transport offers rapid, direct and comfortable transport and connections, opportunities for a better modal split are good.
• Ski- or snowboard-daytourists prefer the own car, even if tehe are loyal public transport users (more than 80 percent).
• 67% of people on an overnight break, travel by private motor vehicle. 20% use the public transport.
Policy Implications
• Parking-space management in built-up areas and the promotion of energy-efficient vehicles, are both environmentally effective and politically high accepted.
• Elements as the promotion of environmentally compatible means of transport for major events, noise protection measures along major transit routes and parking-space management in holiday resorts are also well accepted, but less effective.
Environmental aspects
Key Findings
No results directly relevant to this theme. However, please note that some findings relevant to the projec