In this term, we first introduce two definitions of sustainable transportation, and then explain why it is important. After that, we focus on types of them. Finally, there will be case study and policy.
What is sustainable transportation?
Sustainable transport refers to the broad subject of transport that is or approaches being sustainable. It includes vehicles, energy, infrastructure, roads, railways, airways, waterways, canals, pipelines, and terminals. Transport operations and logistics as well as transit-oriented development are involved. Transportation sustainability is largely being measured by transportation system effectiveness and efficiency as well as the environmental impacts of the system (Jeon, C M&Amekudzi 2005). It has five key points: affordable by the user, financially viable for the provider, accessible by everyone, does not endanger public health or ecosystems and sustainable use of resources at below their rates of generation.
Another definition, from the European Union Council of Ministers of Transport, defines a sustainable transportation system as one that:
Allows the basic access and development needs of individuals, companies and society to be met safely and in a manner consistent with human and ecosystem health, and promotes equity within and between successive generations.
Is Affordable, operates fairly and efficiently, offers a choice of transport mode, and supports a competitive economy, as well as balanced regional development.
Limits emissions and waste within the planet's ability to absorb them, uses renewable resources at or below their rates of generation, and uses non-renewable resources at or below the rates of development of renewable substitutes, while minimizing the impact on the use of land and the generation of noise.
Why is this important?
1. Transportation is the major of world's petroleum products, fossil fuels and it requires huge amounts of land and other material resources.
EIA notes that, in 2008, 71 percent of petroleum was used in the transportation sector. Petroleum provided 95 percent of the total energy for transportation in 2008.
C:\Users\dell\Desktop\figure_110-lg.jpg
Source: ANNUAL ENERGY OUTLOOK 2012 Figure 110
2. Transportation has significant consequences for ecological conditions. It is the major emitter of CO2 and other GHGs.
Since 1999, transportation-related CO2 emissions have overtook industrial emissions as the largest end-use source of energy-related CO2.
C:\Users\dell\Desktop\QQ截图20121203233731.jpg
Source: Energy Information Administration, preliminary estimate for 2008.
3. Transportation affects quality of life.
Transportation not only generates wastes to create various adverse environmental and social impacts like scrap cars, it also has major consequences for human health like noise.
C:\Users\dell\Desktop\QQ截图20121204004437.jpg
Source: Traffic Noise in Green and Open Spaces, 07.03 of Berlin Digital Environmental Atlas
Note: Noises of low (20 to 1,000 Hz) or high (4,000 to 20,000 Hz) frequency positions are considered with a slighter weighting than medium frequencies when ascertaining the so-called A-sound level. A-sound-pressure levels are indicated in decibels (A) [dB(A)].
Aspects of Sustainable Transportation
Current trends in transport and the growing dependence on the car (and air) constitute one of the main challenges to sustainable development. Conventionally, there are seven key issues to be addressed if transport is to conform with the principles of sustainable development (EFTE, 1994; Banister, 1997a).
1. Growing Congestion in many urban areas has been increasing in its duration and intensity. On average, speeds in cities have been declining by about 5% per decade (EFTE, 1994), and the severity of congestion increases with city size (Dasgupta, 1993).
2. Increasing Air Pollution has resulted in national air quality standards and those recommended by the World Health Organization being exceeded in many cities. Air pollution affects health, impairs visibility and damages buildings and local ecology - it reduces the quality of urban life.
3. Traffic Noise affects all city life and it is estimated by the OECD/ECMT (1995) that about 15% of the population in developed countries are exposed to high levels of noise, mainly generated by traffic. Disturbance is also caused by vibration, particularly from heavy lorries, and night-time deliveries.
4. Road Safety is a major concern in cities and elsewhere. World-wide, traffic accidents result in 250,000 deaths and about 10 million injuries each year (Downey, 1995). The accident rates are now declining in some countries (with high levels of motorization), but increasing in others (with low levels of motorization). This is a very high cost "accepted" by society.
5. Degradation of Urban Landscapes results from the construction of new roads and transport facilities, the demolition of historic buildings, and reductions in open space. Transport contributes to the decaying urban fabric and neglect of central city areas, as well as urban sprawl (Ewing, 1997).
6. Use of Space by Traffic facilitates the movement of the motorist, but reduces the accessibility of others as transport routes become barriers, as parked vehicles form obstacles for pedestrians, cyclists and those with disabilities. Car dependency results in traffic domination in urban areas, sometimes splitting communities.
7. Global Warming results from the use of fossils fuels. Transport now accounts for 25% of CO2 emissions and this level is rising in relative terms as well as in absolute quantities. Transport is almost wholly dependent on oil, and this is a non renewable energy source.
In addition, transport has also facilitated changes in the city, and three land use and development
factors need to be added to the list above.
8. Decentralization of Cities has been in part caused by the car in combination with efficient public transport. This has resulted in a substantial growth in trip lengths and patterns that are dispersed rather than concentrated on the city centre. This in turn increases car dependence and reduces the possibilities of promoting efficient public transport.
9. Development Pressures have taken place around car accessible locations which are not accessible to all people (including the edge city developments). The spatial segregation of activities in urban areas again increases trip lengths and has strong distributional consequences. High land and property prices are symbolic of a buoyant economy, but they are also socially exclusive, particularly in terms of access to low cost city centre housing.
10. Globalization and the relocation of industry (including the information economy) have resulted in new patterns of distribution and the transport intensity of freight has increased globally, regionally and locally.
Sustainable urban development is dependent upon the city being a centre of vitality, opportunity and wealth, and transport has a major role to play in this process. It is only in the city that these issues of sustainable development can be addressed. The goal is to provide inexpensive, efficient transport, accessible to all (in particular low income groups), which is at the same time non polluting and compatible with the pattern of urban development.
Policies and case studies
Sustainable transport policies have their greatest impact at the city level. Outside Western Europe, cities which have consistently included sustainability as a key consideration in transport and land use planning include Curitiba, Brazil; Bogota, Colombia; Portland, Oregon; and Vancouver, Canada. The state of Victoria, Australia passed legislation in 2010 - the Transport Integration Act (Transport Integration Act 2010) - to compel its transport agencies to actively consider sustainability issues including climate change impacts in transport policy, planning and operations.
Case studies of alternative transportation modes:
C:\Users\dell\Desktop\1.jpg
Walking, like most European cities, Verona has pedestrianized large portions of its downtown.
C:\Users\dell\Desktop\2.jpg
Bicycling. Amsterdam has created many bike paths separated from vehicle traffic.
C:\Users\dell\Desktop\3.jpg
Bus. Turkey has one of the world's best inter-city bus systems, which includes this hub in Ankara.
C:\Users\dell\Desktop\4.jpg
Rail. Unlike most other North American cities, Toronto never tore out its streetcar system, and now has some of the best public transit on the continent.
C:\Users\dell\Desktop\5.jpg
Informal transit. Small, privately operated vans are a primary source of transportation in the developing world.
Useful websites:
Transport studies unit: http://www.tsu.ox.ac.uk/events/
Our future planet: http://www.ourfutureplanet.org/topic-transport-travel
International Institute of Sustainable Transportation: http://www.ecotopia.com/st/
