For a long time, the emphasis in traffic management was on infrastructure. However, infrastructural measures alone are not enough to solve all problems. Social psychology is gaining ground: recognising and influencing the behaviour of traffic participants. The world is focused on humans and traffic managers are following suit. It is harder to force a driver to drive safely than to make him feel that he is doing so of his own free will.  Traffic managers can nudge drivers toward the right choice without appearing to be imposing that behaviour.

This can be done very subtly. For instance, by painting gates, seats or street signs in bright and conspicuous colours, so that drivers will be on the lookout for children playing. Research shows that they react by automatically taking their foot off the accelerator.

Another example: on roads with trees, varying the distance between the trees may help to confuse the driver.  Close to built-up areas, placing the trees more closely together will give the driver the impression of travelling faster. As a result, he will slow down.

‘Mobility and behaviour’ contains practical and theoretical information for anyone professionally involved in the area of traffic, transportation and mobility. Many experts made valuable contributions, including highly respected and experienced professionals, like Ewoud Vink, Matthijs Dicke-Ogenia, Cees Wildervanck and Gerard Tertoolen. A publication of CROW (a Dutch technology platform for transport, infrastructure and public space).