Unit 12 task 2

By Hols120607

  • Changes in Demand- Customer Lifestyles & Income

    After World War II, the UK experienced economic growth, which meant that many people earned more money than before. With higher incomes and more leisure time, people began to travel more for enjoyment rather than just for work or necessity. Traveling abroad for holidays became more common, and taking short weekend trips to different parts of the country also became popular. These changes showed how people’s lifestyles were evolving, with travel becoming a regular and important part of life.

  • Changes in Demand- Commuting Patterns

    As the UK’s population grew, many people moved from city centres to new suburbs and towns further away. This meant that their daily journeys to work, or commuting, became much longer than before. With more people owning cars, there was a big increase in road traffic, which created a need for better roads and highways. At the same time, public transport services like buses and trains were expanded and improved to help people travel between these new residential areas, cities where they worked.

  • Political and legal change- Planning Regulations

    Planning regulations have played a crucial role in shaping transport infrastructure development. They balance economic growth with environmental protection, controlling the expansion of roads, airports, and rail networks, and ensuring sustainable urban development.

  • Environmental Versions- Widening of Motorways

    As more cars hit the roads, many motorways were widened or improved to help reduce traffic jams. However, widening roads also brought challenges because it could harm wildlife and natural areas. To deal with this, planners worked hard to make sure that new road projects caused as little damage as possible to the environment and local communities.

  • Changes in Demand- Increase in Car Ownership

    After the war, car ownership grew rapidly, with the number of vehicles on the road increasing from approximately 2 million in 1950 to over 20 million by the 1980s. This shift transformed personal mobility, allowing greater independence and flexibility in travel but also contributing to traffic congestion and a decline in some public transport services.

  • Product/Service Innovation- Introduction of Budget Airlines

    In the 1990s, budget airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet started offering much cheaper flights. This made flying affordable for many more people, not just the wealthy. Because of these low-cost airlines, more people began to travel by air for holidays and business. This competition also meant more flight routes were available, changing how people in the UK and Europe travel.

  • Environmental Versions- Protest Camps Against Airport Expansion

    During the 1990s and early 2000s, many local people and environmental groups set up protest camps to stop plans for expanding airports like Heathrow and Stansted. They were worried about the extra noise from planes, the loss of parks and green spaces, and the harm flying caused to the environment and climate change.

  • Environmental Versions- Emissions Regulations

    Starting in the 1990s, the government introduced stricter rules to lower harmful gases released by cars, trucks, and airplanes. These rules were made to clean the air and fight climate change by reducing greenhouse gases. They encouraged the use of cleaner technologies like electric cars, hybrid engines, and more efficient aircraft to make transport less damaging to the environment.

  • Product/Service Innovation- Opening of the Channel Tunnel

    The Channel Tunnel, opened in 1994, is a huge tunnel under the sea connecting Folkestone in the UK to Coquelles in France. It was a big engineering success and changed travel by allowing trains to carry passengers and goods quickly between the UK and Europe. This made it easier to travel and trade with other countries and helped boost tourism.

  • Political and legal changes- Air Passenger Duty

    Introduced as a tax on airline tickets, Air Passenger Duty aimed to generate government revenue and encourage more environmentally friendly travel choices. It has been adjusted over time to reflect concerns about aviation’s environmental impact and to influence passenger behaviour.

  • Political and Legal Changes- Privatisation of British Rail

    One of the biggest political changes in UK transport was the privatisation of British Rail. Before this, the railways were run by the government. Between 1994 and 1997, control was handed over to private companies. The goal was to make the railways more efficient and reduce government spending. While some new ideas and improvements were introduced, there were also problems. Many passengers felt ticket prices became higher.

  • Technology- Online Check-in

    Online check-in improved the travel experience for passengers on trains and airplanes. Due to this technology, passengers can select their seats, print their boarding tickets ahead of time, and check in online by websites or on apps. In addition to increasing operational efficiency and giving customers greater control over their travels, this innovation has reduced wait times at stations and airports.

  • Environmental Versions- Noise Pollution

    Noise from busy roads and airports became a big problem for people living nearby. To help reduce this noise, governments introduced things like quieter road surfaces, rules about when planes can fly, and barriers to block noise. These measures made life better for many communities affected by transport noise.

  • Political and Legal Changes- Introduction of Congestion Charges (London)

    n 2003, London became the first city in the UK to introduce congestion charges. Drivers who wanted to enter busy parts of the city during the day had to pay a daily fee. This was designed to reduce the number of cars on the road, which helped lower traffic jams and air pollution. The charge encouraged more people to use buses, trains, and other forms of public transport. London’s success with congestion charging inspired other cities to consider similar measures.

  • Technology- Smart Motorways

    Smart motorways represent a major technological advancement in road transport management. By using digital signs, variable speed limits, and real time traffic monitoring, these motorways aim to reduce congestion and improve safety. They allow traffic authorities to respond dynamically to incidents, lane closures, and traffic volumes, helping keep traffic moving more smoothly than traditional motorways.

  • Biography

    https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-transport
    BBC History – Post-war Britain
    https://services.parliament.uk/bills/transport.html
    The Guardian – Transport and Environment
    https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/
    https://www.easyjet.com/en
    https://www.ryanair.com/gb/en