Julian Hine

The key aim of this volume is to demonstrate ways in which an understanding of history can be used to inform present-day transport and mobility policies. This is not to say that history repeats itself, or that every contemporary transport dilemma has an historical counterpart: rather, the contributors to this book argue that in many contexts of transport planning a better understanding of the context and consequences of past decisions and processes could lead to more effective policy decisions. Collectively the authors explore the ways in which the methods and approaches of historical research may be applied to contemporary transport and policy issues across a wide range of transport modes and contexts. By linking two bodies of academic research that for the most part remain separate this volume helps to inform current transport and mobility policies and to stimulate innovative new research that links studies of both past and present mobilities.

There is currently much interest in the role that transport plays in promoting, or alleviating 'social exclusion'. Exclusionary processes are, of course, multi-dimensional and a mixture of physical barriers, financial constraints, time budgets, access difficulties and psychological aspects such as fear, all combine in various ways to prevent the use of transport facilities. In order to be able to understand more accurately the relationship between transport and social exclusion, a fuller understanding is required. Data gathered from households to examine the problems experienced by women, the elderly, and disabled, and public transport users in accessing key facilities and influences on lifestyle. Interviews of policymakers and public transport providers provides insights into the problems of providing public transport to meet social inclusion objectives. This book illustrates the nature of these exclusionary processes and indicates how policy and practice could be developed to counter these effects.

The key aim of this volume is to demonstrate ways in which an understanding of history can be used to inform present-day transport and mobility policies. This is not to say that history repeats itself, or that every contemporary transport dilemma has an historical counterpart: rather, the contributors to this book argue that in many contexts of transport planning a better understanding of the context and consequences of past decisions and processes could lead to more effective policy decisions. Collectively the authors explore the ways in which the methods and approaches of historical research may be applied to contemporary transport and policy issues across a wide range of transport modes and contexts. By linking two bodies of academic research that for the most part remain separate this volume helps to inform current transport and mobility policies and to stimulate innovative new research that links studies of both past and present mobilities.

There is currently much interest in the role that transport plays in promoting, or alleviating 'social exclusion'. Exclusionary processes are, of course, multi-dimensional and a mixture of physical barriers, financial constraints, time budgets, access difficulties and psychological aspects such as fear, all combine in various ways to prevent the use of transport facilities. In order to be able to understand more accurately the relationship between transport and social exclusion, a fuller understanding is required. Data gathered from households to examine the problems experienced by women, the elderly, and disabled, and public transport users in accessing key facilities and influences on lifestyle. Interviews of policymakers and public transport providers provides insights into the problems of providing public transport to meet social inclusion objectives. This book illustrates the nature of these exclusionary processes and indicates how policy and practice could be developed to counter these effects.