Infrastructure Development in Germany Under Stagnating Demand Conditions: A New Paradigm?

Abstract

Findings from various sources of information, such as mobility panels, permanent road traffic recording devices, and model calculation methods, indicate that for the past few years passenger traffic demand in Germany has not been increasing but has shown notable evidence of stagnation. An analysis of various relevant factors clarifies that this has in fact been an emerging tendency. This is true especially with respect to the demographic changes in Germany and the increased probability of more scarce and definitely more expensive oil resources; further stagnation of traffic demand appears imminent. That leads to the conclusion that infrastructure development must not be based on the idea of everlasting growth with expansions in areas in which the symptoms of traffic growth have been most obvious. It will rather be necessary to identify accurately specific areas of growth or stagnation and to find a suitable scale for further development. Future planning should concentrate on modification rather than on expansion of infrastructure facilities.