ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of transportation planning in Australia and considers the role of transport in environmental planning. The chapter begins with a short history of transport in Australia over the past century followed by a look at how future transport needs are determined and how to best manage traffic congestion. It deals with implementation having strategies to manage transport problems is important, but ultimately strategies need to be implementable. Providing adequate infrastructure is the main focus of transport planners. While land use and transport planning are intimately related, they are generally undertaken by different departments, or even by different levels of government. Transport system management involves initiatives such as synchronising traffic signals, oneway streets, and reversible traffic lanes. Intelligent highway systems include: area traffic management; travel information; and vehicle control. All involve a degree of technology, but have the goal of helping motorists avoid traffic congestion. High fuel prices are having a growing social impact on Australian cities.
