Promoting the Use of Intermediate Means of Transport - Vehicle Choice, Potential Barriers and Criteria for Success

Production, trade and daily life require the movement of goods and people. Numerous different transport technologies exist employing human energy, animal power or the use of motors. They range from basic walking and carrying to large-scale motorised transport, including motor cars, large trucks and buses, trains, aircraft and ships. Between these extremes, there is a wide range of intermediate means of transport (IMTs) that can increase transport capacity and reduce human drudgery without the high costs associated with large motor vehicles. Options include single-wheel technologies (eg, wheelbarrows), two-wheel hand carts, bicycles and tricycles, motor cycles, rickshaws, rickshaw vans and cycle trailers, animal-powered transport and low-cost boats. This paper focuses on land-based IMTs. There have been many paradoxical experiences relating to IMT adoption in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe. In some parts of some countries, there have been very positive lessons concerning IMT adoption. There have also been many disappointing experiences. In some situations technologies seem to have taken off spontaneously, without government assistance. In others, adoption only occurred after extension campaigns. In some countries, potential users rejected particular IMTs, despite subsidies, credit provision and strong promotional campaigns. The diverse experiences illustrate the importance of technical appropriateness of IMTs to local transport needs within particular environments. More significantly, they highlight lessons relating to user-perspectives and the overriding importance of social, economic and cultural issues.