Routledge Gridlock: Congested Cities, Contested Policies, Unsustainable Mobility

Cities across the world are facing unprecedented challenges in traffic management and transit congestion while coping with growing populations and mobility aspirations; existing policies that aim to tackle congestion and create more sustainable transport futures offer only weak remedies. In Gridlock: Congested Cities, Contested Policies, Unsustainable Mobility, transport consultant John C. Sutton explores how two competing discourses in transport policy and planning practice – convivial and competitive ideologies – lead to contradictory solutions and a gridlock in policy as well as on transport systems. Gridlock examines current transport and mobility in a geographical, social, political-economy and technological context. The challenges of rising congestion are highlighted through case studies from the UK, the USA, and OECD countries. Sutton offers readers a vision of a sustainable mobility future through the concept of mobility management, combining mobile communication and information technology with logistics to match travel demand to the capacity of transport systems. Essential reading for transport professionals and students of transportation planning and policy, Gridlock offers a unique manifesto for sustainable mobility settlement, addressing the pressing problems of growing populations and congestion while looking ahead to a more sustainable future. Review "In this timely and thought provoking book, John Sutton questions our ability to tackle the unprecedented transport and mobility challenges we face with policies that are in the final analysis not fit for purpose. In identifying the ‘policy gaps’ that have arisen, he presents policy makers and planners with fresh insights and provides a powerful framework for a much needed new approach." - David Gillingwater, Honorary Fellow in Transport Studies, Loughborough University "Gridlock presents an imaginative and controversial alternative to traditional solutions that don’t work.  This new approach is based on research beyond transport to include insights from other disciplines and case studies across the world. Gridlock is essential reading for students and anyone concerned about the future of our cities." - Kris Beuret OBE, Director, Social Research Associates About the Author John Sutton is an independent transport consultant who has worked in the UK, the USA and Asia as a transport planner, manager, and developer of transport information systems, including GIS applications. He has published widely, including Transport Coordination and Social Policy (Avebury 1988) and as co-editor of Community Transport: Policy, Planning, Practice (Gordon and Breach 1995).