A Transport Vision for the State of Israel

Transportation and land policies in Israel are influenced by a number of bodies including: the Ministry of Transportation, local municipalities, planning committees and a number of others. Today, it is well understood that the method of demand forecasting and building roads to meet the ever growing demand, is very costly, not practical and wasteful at the economic, environmental and transport levels. It is also well understood by all, that solutions which support sustainable transport need to be found.

‘Sustainable Transport’ is a title often used by various parties in their transportation planning at the national, local and municipal levels. But what is the proper content for this title, and how can the concept be implemented in Israel? In the “Transport Vision for the State of Israel” project are leading a process of deepening the public debate in Israel on sustainable transport with the aim of defining the objectives that correlate with such a vision and identifying the actions that are in harmony with that vision.

We anticipate this project having the following activities:

• Consolidation of a transport vision for the State of Israel, according to a comprehensive deliberation process being held amongst volunteers and the board of Transport Today & Tomorrow.
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• Consolidation of policy papers in matters related to sustainable transport, to be made available to and used by decision makers and planners who are interested in promoting a sustainable transport vision.
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• Organization of a “Leadership in Transport” Conference, which will highlight the debate and the dilemmas related to private car usage as opposed to local and inter-city alternatives.
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• A professional conference and coordination of Public Transport Day.
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• Conduct meetings between staff of Israel Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety and the Israel Ministry of Environmental Protection.

Transport Today & Tomorrow has been leading the public debate promoting sustainable transport for the last several years as well as coordinating and leading Public Transport Day with the full cooperation with The Ministry of Transport. The Ministry has even invited the organization to be a member of the committee evaluating a congestion toll, the committee evaluating reforming public transport, and others.

The volunteers of the organization consist of professionals who work as planners in local authorities, academia and consulting companies; they are relevant agents of change working at the ground level.