Transport Policy with Public Transit Priority in Zurich, Switzerland

Abstract

This paper reports a recent transport policy in Zurich, Switzerland. Zurich is known as one of the best transit-oriented cities in the world where the various public transit priority programs have been introduced since 1970s. Though there were several political disputes and votes on the transport policy before the current transport policy was determined, the systematic and well-designed public transport system has been realized. We present major components in the programs including infrastructure investment, traffic control, public transit control system, coordination between transport planning and spatial planning and integrated transport system. Finally, we discuss lessons from the Zurich experiences to Japan.