The role of passenger modal shift nodes in the interaction between land use and transport system.

In the last years we have observed a sub-urbanization process or “sprawl” process (low density inhabitant models), caused by new economic and production conditions, by a free diffusion of new habitant models in territory, by new organization models of social relationships and by one-side power of road mode and in particular the private use. Commuters need to reach quickly own destinations and the traffic and parking problems in central areas increase mainly the importance of multi-modal displacements in an integrated transport system between public and private mode. Planner role should re-balance modal choice in favour to public transport and motivate passenger intermodality integrating the private car with public transport. The optimal location and design of modal shift nodes for potential users involved in multimodal transfers in a urban and metropolitan context is one of the most important issues in transport system design and planning. The aim of the proposed research is to analyze the attractiveness towards passenger modal shift nodes in relation to their potential territorial role and the optional services they can offer, which are relevant in vast urban areas. In particular, the metropolitan area of Palermo, and its outskirts which is taking the connotations of a large expanded city, will be a case study to verify the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. In particular, some quantitative indicators about the accessibility and the territorial role of the nodes will be used in order to estimate the role of the passenger modal shift nodes for developing a sustainable transport system.