New investment in knowledge for sustainable accessibility of the Randstad
27 September 2010
One million euros for three research projects
The Randstad has a serious problem with accessibility. Scientific knowledge can help improve sustainable and climate-proof accessibility. Researchers working on three new short research projects will address the electrification of the transport system, smart mobility management and sustainable infrastructure management and maintenance. Their research projects will be carried out as part of the NWO Sustainable Accessibility of the Randstad programme.
Since 2008, various research teams have been working on finding solutions to the accessibility problem within the NWO Sustainable Accessibility of the Randstad (DBR) programme. Topics vary from increasing goods transport and the transport behaviour of tourists to the use of travel information and the implementation of pricing schemes. The Sustainable Accessibility of the Randstad programme is an initiative of the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management together with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. The total budget of €10.6 million is to be funded by the parties involved and awarded in various calls for research proposals and knowledge transfer. Another round will follow the current call for proposals in 2011. The following three projects are being funded:
* The achievability and effect of a transition to electrical transportation
Prof. G. P. van Wee (Delft University of Technology) with VU and RUG
Researchers would like to know to what extent consumers are prepared to transfer to electric transport and how this will influence car ownership and use, and therefore the accessibility of the Randstad. The researchers will also investigate the positions of other stakeholders, such as local authorities, the car industry and power companies. One of the research questions is how these parties can be encouraged to work together towards the successful introduction of an electric transportation system.
* Mobility management and climate change
Dr. J. N. van Ommeren (University Amsterdam) with UU
The response of employers and employees to mobility issues is crucially important to the accessibility of the Randstad. The researchers will study the effect of mobility management implemented by companies, also in relation to the private behaviour of employees and government policy in the area of public transport and spatial planning.
* The sustainable management and maintenance of infrastructure networks
Prof. G. P. M. R. Dewulf (University of Twente) with Alterra WUR
What are the effects of climate change on infrastructure management and maintenance? The researchers hope to improve the decision-making process of organisations in the Randstad that are responsible for infrastructure management and maintenance. This will be done by linking three research areas: climate change, infrastructure performance and policy development.