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Traditional approaches to reducing greenhouse gases in our cities were challenged at a major transport Forum in Canberra today.
Researchers from across the country and New Zealand gathered at the 25th Australasian Transport Research Forum to discuss the latest trends and developments in the transport sector. The forum is being hosted by the Bureau of Transport and Regional Economics (BTRE).
Speaking at the Forum, Dr Patrick Moriarty of Monash University, warned that focusing on making our vehicles more efficient would not produce results to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions for decades.
"The current thinking of producing a low emission car with cost, performance and convenience similar to existing cars is unlikely to achieve high fleet penetration for decades. Similarly, other efficiency approaches, such as improving car occupancy rates or using smaller cars would eliminate the convenience and comforts of private travel.
"We need to introduce some tough, unpopular measures to make a serious impact on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions in our cities. If we want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions quickly and effectively we must reduce the demand for travel itself."
Dr Moriarty cited programs such as Perth's TravelSmart as the way for the future. TravelSmart is a successful Western Australian community-based program that encourages people to use alternatives to travelling in their private car.
"Based on research, the best option appears to be introducing measures that will reduce the speed and comfort of urban travel. This would have a domino effect of reducing demand and encouraging passengers to use more environmentally friendly forms of transport."
Alternative methods of transport - particularly for use in urban areas - were also on the agenda at the Forum.
Presenting a paper on the power assisted bicycle (PAB), Alan Parker of Town and Country Planning, said the light-weight, compact forms of transport were being increasingly used in China and Japan to tackle their increasing air pollution.
"PABs have been around since 1950. They have developed from the early petrol powered models to the more recent state of the art electric models. The PABs are one of the best examples of 'green vehicles' on the market today.
"PABs are a real alternative for urban travel. They are 50 per cent easier to operate than your standard bicycle - great for hilly cities, convenient for carrying loads and accessible for people of all ages.
"PABs have enormous potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, petrol consumption and traffic congestion in Australian cities."
More than 50 papers will be presented at the 25th Australasian Transport Research Forum. In addition to the environment, issues include regional transport, safety and regulation, infrastructure provision, and financing and pricing.
Tony Slatyer, Executive Director of the BTRE, said the forum played a key role in shaping future transport policy.
"The forum presents a great opportunity for Australia's top transport researchers to come together to share ideas and knowledge, and discuss contemporary approaches to sustainable transport."
The 25th Australasian Transport Research Forum will be held from 2 to 4 October 2002.
For more information about the ATRF please visit www.btre.gov.au
Media contact: Anna Tannock ph: 6274 6843
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