Technology and Travel

This chapter discusses the crucial links between technology and travel behaviours, looking both at traditional transport technologies and the impacts of other technologies. The development of transport technology has enabled us to travel more cheaply, more comfortably, faster and for longer distances – hence the massive growth of travel with all its attendant and varied effects. The chapter argues that the impacts of substitutionary technology (e.g. telecommunications) or non-transport technology (e.g. better storage of food) are more complex and difficult to predict, especially since people do not always behave rationally, but these technologies play an important role in shaping our travel behaviours. The chapter briefly examines possible future technological developments before concluding that we need to develop resilient technologies to allow for uncertainty whilst tackling the need for sustainability in future travel.