Measurement and evaluation of non-motorised transport

Abstract

Walking and cycling are travel modes where the operating cost is close to zero, and little or direct revenues flow from their usage. This makes the evaluation of their contribution to transport more difficult than for the motorised modes of transport (both public and private). The renewed focus on the performance of transport enterprises (generally referred to as micro-economic reform) has largely passed non-motorised transport by. The influence on nonmotorised transport of this greater emphasis on transport enterprise performance is considered, and appropriate adjustment proposed. Both performance measures and a wider range of evaluation measures are required. Non motorised transport movements are fundamentally different to motorised transport modes in a number of ways, and the lack of appropriate pricing signals makes it all the more important to recognise this. The near-universal accessibility to non motorised movement means that a more systematic assessment of the value of actual and potential access and travel time is required, and that the full externalities of motorised transport are brought out when assessments are made that include NMT modes. The information flows on NMT trends are sparse and only crash data is the only consistent measure of overall cycle and pedestrian activity available in most States. The need to assess all aspects of transport accessibility and usage under environmental and social pressures requires a systematic reassessment of NMT movements. This is now beginning to occur in Australia.