The contribution of Park and Ride to a robuust mobility system

Transport networks in many urbanized areas are vulnerable. Small disturbances can cause large delays for many travellers. In (Schrijver et al., 2008) and (Snelder et al., 2009), an architecture for designing robust road networks is presented. In this architecture robustness is defined as the extent to which a network is able to maintain the function for which it was originally designed. Vulnerability is the opposite of robustness. A network that is vulnerable is not robust, and vice versa. Of course, road networks are not the only networks that are vulnerable. Vulnerability also plays a role in public transport networks, the inland waterway network and other networks. Therefore, not only the road network should be made robust, but the mobility system as a whole should be made robust against different disturbances. In this paper, we describe how Park and Ride (P+R) can contribute to a robust mobility system. The architecture for designing robust road networks contains several general design principles. One of the principles is that travellers should have choice options to travel from their origin to their destination. This can be alternative routes within the road network, but also alternative routes via other modes like public transport. Different modes of transport are considered to be complementary to each other. A good connection between the road network and public transport network is part of a robust mobility system. Urban areas often have parking problems and congestion problems. In these areas public transport has a high potential. The car performs well outside urban areas. Therefore, P+R is a way of combining the strengths of both modes. It improves the accessibility of urban areas and it offers choice options to the travellers.