The key concept behind the TELLUS project was variety. The project comprised a variety of very different cities applying a variety of transport strategies and innovative transport measures in order to make urban transport more sustainable. A variety of approaches were used to implement those measures and a variety of methods and instruments were applied to conceptualise, monitor, analyse and assess the measures in order to present results and impacts as well as to explain processes, drivers and constraints. The main aims of the project included:
- shifting the modal share in favour of public transport;
- increasing the use of bicycles;
- lowering congestion;
- reducing traffic-related air and noise pollution below national and EC standards;
- decreasing city-centre car usage;
- improving intra-organisational cooperation at city level;
- increasing political and public awareness;
- reducing road casualties; and
- improving public-private cooperation
In general, the focus of the TELLUS project was on translating urban transport policy into the practical implementation of innovative, city-specific measures. However, not all measures were concerned with implementation: some aimed at preparing the ground while others supported strategies and measures by developing a concept to be implemented later. Out of the 48 TELLUS measures, 28 aimed at direct implementation, 17 at concept development and implementation, and three at concept development only.