Due to the constantly high rate at which the economy of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is developing, the demand for transportation of passengers as well as goods is not only rapidly growing but also changing in nature. To cope with the growing and changing demand for transport the PRC’s authorities in charge of traffic planning have to come up with new ideas. The current strategy of isolated action for every mode of transportation will, as I show later, not be sufficient to keep up with the constant growth of the demand. This is further strengthened by the fact that a large part of the measures taken by the authorities are merely trying to catch up with changed demand. At the current level of traffic development and with the current growth rates this strategy will not be expedient in the future. To understand the changing demand for transportation it is necessary to know and understand the reasons for the change. I will therefore try to give a very short overview of the relevant historical developments and economic, demographic and political changes. Based on this knowledge I will attempt to draw a picture of the current state of the traffic system and traffic planning structures in the PRC and possible development scenarios. This will provide the background necessary to evaluate the state and possibilities of integrated traffic planning in the PRC.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Historic Development
2.1 Before 1979
2.2 Deng’s Reforms
3 Economic, Demographic and Political Changes
3.1 Rapidly Growing Economy
3.2 Changing Demographics
3.3 Political Decisions Affecting Transport Needs
4 Current State of the Traffic System
4.1 Increase in Motorization
4.2 Personal Car Focus
4.3 Costs of Motorization
5 Current State of the Traffic Planning
5.1 General Power Structure
5.2 Power Structure in Traffic Planning
6 Implications for Integrated Traffic Planning
6.1 Need for integrated traffic planning
6.2 Possibilities for integrated traffic planning
Objectives and Core Topics
The primary objective of this work is to evaluate the current state and future possibilities of implementing integrated traffic planning within the People’s Republic of China, given the country's rapid economic and demographic evolution.
- The influence of historic, economic, and demographic shifts on transportation demand.
- Analysis of the current traffic system and the rise of motorization in China.
- Examination of the existing hierarchical power structure within Chinese traffic planning authorities.
- Identification of obstacles to integrated planning, specifically regarding the role of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).
- Strategic recommendations for aligning multi-modal transport planning to meet future sustainability requirements.
Excerpt from the Book
4.2 Personal Car Focus
One major policy related issue is the sharp increase in motorization in the PRC. Even though there is no official policy issued supporting the motorization, the quick increase as shown in Figure 8 does however hint at a motorization friendly policy. As shown in Figure 8 the number of cars increases ever more rapidly and surpassed the number of trucks,which is only increasing at a constant pace, in the mid-90s.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter outlines the rapid economic development of the PRC and establishes the necessity for a shift from isolated transport strategies to integrated planning.
2 Historic Development: This section provides a historical overview, contrasting the era before 1979 with the transformative impact of Deng Xiaoping’s Open Door Policy.
3 Economic, Demographic and Political Changes: The chapter explores the core drivers of transport growth, including GDP trends, aging demographics, urbanization, and political decision-making processes.
4 Current State of the Traffic System: This chapter analyzes the shift in modal split, the rapid growth in motorization, and the associated infrastructure and external economic costs.
5 Current State of the Traffic Planning: This part details the complex, hierarchical power structure of the PRC and how it influences decision-making across different transport ministries and the NDRC.
6 Implications for Integrated Traffic Planning: The final chapter discusses the urgent need for cross-divisional integration and identifies organizational obstacles within the NDRC that hinder effective multi-modal coordination.
Keywords
Traffic planning, China, Integrated transport, Motorization, PRC, Economic growth, Infrastructure, NDRC, Urbanization, Modal split, Public transport, Policy, Governance, Sustainability, Demographic change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this publication?
The work examines the current challenges and future requirements for integrated traffic planning in the People's Republic of China, focusing on how rapid economic expansion necessitates a more coordinated approach to transport infrastructure.
What are the central themes covered in the text?
The publication covers historical developments, economic and demographic change, the state of the current traffic system, and the complex governance structures involved in Chinese planning.
What is the central research question?
The research seeks to determine whether integrated traffic planning is possible within the current PRC institutional framework and identifies what structural changes are necessary to achieve it.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The study utilizes a descriptive and analytical approach, synthesizing economic data, historical policy analysis, and institutional power structures to evaluate the efficacy of current planning strategies.
What topics are analyzed in the main body?
The main body focuses on the transition from a rail-dominated transport system to one characterized by rapid individual motorization, the organizational role of the NDRC, and the need for horizontal and vertical integration of planning efforts.
How would you describe the key characteristics of this work?
It is a policy-oriented assessment that bridges macro-economic trends in China with practical infrastructure and logistics management concerns.
How does the "Ladder-Step-Doctrine" affect transport in China?
The doctrine established a production chain from the resource-rich west to the technologically advanced eastern coast, which necessitated the transport of raw materials and goods over massive distances, historically cementing the dominance of rail and ship transport.
Why is the NDRC considered a central figure in transport planning?
The NDRC is the primary interface between the various ministries and the State Council; however, the author argues that its role is currently limited because it only appraises projects after they have been finalized by individual ministries, rather than initiating them from an integrated perspective.
What specific demographic changes are mentioned?
The author highlights the impact of the One-Child-Policy, which has contributed to an aging population, and the rapid, ongoing migration of the rural population into urban centers.
- Quote paper
- David Block (Author), 2007, Traffic Planning in China - Need for and possibility of integrated traffic planning in the People's Republic of China, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/67792
