Sustainable Travel - what are your views? Is there really a transport problem? Do the benefits of motorized transport outweigh the costs? Are there any minor (or perhaps major) changes you personally feel could make our present transport system more sustainable?Sustainable travel seeks to find ways and means of reducing the impact of transport network on the ever degrading environment. Sustainable travel is about using means of travel which do not worsen the present state of the environment but rather empower people with a sense of social responsibility. It seeks to explore the effective means of delivering a transport system that is environmentally friendly. Link: (http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/.
According to The Department of Transport (http://www.transport.ie/publictransport/overview.aspx) the desired outcome of sustainable travel is the prevalence of a transport system that sustains economic growth and contributes to social cohesion in the society. From another perspective, Swindon Borough Council (http://www.swindon.gov.uk/roadstransport/travelplans.htm) argues that a workable Travel Plan, whenever it is practised, should include a range of measures. These measures should be aimed at reducing congestion and pollution which costs UK businesses £20 billion a year. Furthermore, Swindon Borough Council agree that a Travel Plan should not be universal, but rather tailor made for a particular site. Such an approach ensures that alternatives taken to reduce congestion and pollution are feasible and more attractive to single-occupancy car users - whether it is for environmental, health or financial reasons. It could be an Employer Travel Plan or School Travel Plan for school run but whichever the case, the package should include practical measures that people may consider applying as an alternative to single-occupancy car use. An attractive Travel Plan may include for example: a car sharing scheme, provision of cycle facilities, and negotiating improved bus services. Incentives like, offering attractive flexible-working practices, and subsidised travel are considered effective packages for people. Restricted and/or charged car parking, though a disincentive is another way of discouraging single-occupancy car users. The practice of video conferencing and remote working could be another way of cutting business travel. http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/
Because the majority of transport depends on non renewable energy, the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere continues to increase by large amounts. Today the major contributors to high levels of emissions are aviation, maritime and overland transport. Hence the use of non renewable energy remains a major threat responsible for the depletion of fossil like coal, oil and gas which are directly linked to land degradation. Conversely the processing of fossil fuel uses plant and machinery which produces carbon emissions.
It is therefore clear that transport system needs sustainable travel plans. The cost of not taking corrective action now outweighs the luxuries of unlimited mobility and the affluence of economic activities. The more the world continues with the mode of transport that promotes congestion and accidents, emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollution the more it is likely to encounter insoluble situations. The need to reduce dependency on fossil fuel is, therefore, very important.
There are a number of alternative travel plans that governments, institutions and companies have adopted. For example in Ireland, The Department of Transport recommended the use of bio-fuel like ethanol which produces much less emission of greenhouse gases. Also the application of eco driving skills like smart, smooth and safe driving techniques results in saving fuel and minimises rate of accidents. Electric cars though expensive are another environmental friendly option. (http://www.transport.ie/transport/Sustainable/index.asp?lang=ENG&loc=1913) In their Sustainable Travel Plan (2006 – 2010), Oxford Brooks University suggested the use of cycles by staff and students and the construction of pathways. Also the University suggested the car sharing scheme, and use of public transport. These schemes were fully supported by monetary incentives and improved facilities for example secure cycle purchase loan schemes, cycle racks, and shower/changing rooms (http://www.brookes.ac.uk/brookesnet/environment/docs/sustainable_travel.pdf).
Workplace travel plans must be considered a priority so that people may develop a sense of social responsibility to participate in sustainable travel activities. To come up with initiatives that encourage healthier and safer lifestyles, employers need to continue exploring new travel plan policies that discourage use of single-occupancy car users. Likewise the government, besides enforcing a National Travel Plan, should reward companies or at least recognise their effort in promoting sustainable travel. Once Travel Plans are in place, governments and local authorities should make it a statutory requirement to apply punitive measures to those failing to apply the recommended travel plans.
Can you imagine trains going to London with 20 to 30% empty seats and thousands and thousands of single-occupancy cars going to the same destination 5 days a week, 365 days a year? The bare truth is that every day there are millions and millions of fossil fuel-driven motor machines either on the road, in the air or in the oceans. The delivery of raw materials and finished goods and services intensifies travel. Heavily industrialised countries continue to pollute the environment with waste and carbon emissions. Cars are still being manufactured under the guise of ‘low carbon emission standards’ yet the amount of greenhouse gases emissions they produce are ever increasing. Cars as old as 15 years are still raising revenue for the state. Where on earth do any reasonable and concerned people think the emissions of carbon are going to be stored without affecting the environment and the atmosphere? Are people so selfish and just concerned about today and not the future?
While travel has economic and social benefits, governments and institutions have a major task ahead of them to make people aware of the pending dangers from unsustainable travel. It may be taken for granted, but the majority of people are not aware of terms like ‘sustainable travel plans’ let alone ‘climate change’ and ‘global warming’. The way people perceive their role or involvement in contributing to the use of sustainable means of travel is very much dependent on how a government applies petitions and enforcement of Travel Plans. A National Plan always tends to be cohesive so all the stakeholders and those who are likely to discourage ‘change’ should be involved in policy making and implementation of sustainable travel plans.
