Les enquêtes de déplacements urbains : mesurer le présent, simuler le futur = Urban travel survey methods: measuring the present, simulating the future

Urban travel survey methods: measuring the present, simulating the future. – The quality of data from urban travel surveys has always been a major pre-occupation of survey designers and managers. This issue has become even more acute now that most urban areas face the triple dilemma of reconciling urban travel demand with the problems of financing, congestion and environmental quality. In this context, the search is on for innovative solutions, notably improved demand management measures. The evaluation of these measures call for more detailed and reliable survey data, and for a better understanding of the processes underlying shifts in travel behaviour; both are needed to build and feed models which are sensitive to policies aimed at modifying travel demand. The papers presented at the colloquium "Urban Travel Survey Methods: Measuring the Present, Simulating the Future", part of the ENTRETIENS JACQUES CARTIER held on 6-8 December 1995, offer the reader a rich and stimulating set of reflections upon this theme. The participation of researchers and practitioners from several European countries and North America made it possible to confront the state of the art and practice of travel surveys in many countries to the directions taken by recent survey research. This selection of the papers focuses primarily on the design issue involveld in: achieving integrated strategies for data collection and processing; the production of high quality data; and the parallel use of methods which explore and simulate changes in travel behaviour.