[sustran] Re: Reducing number of cars on the road

[Milnor H. Senior, III]

Dear Mr. Holland,
     Light weight vehicles which can travel at high speeds already exist.  They
are called bicycles and they are the most efficient form of transportation
known.  What is holding back the transportation potential of bicycles is the lack
of bicycle specific infrastructure.  Please see my web site at www.biketrans.com
to see some possibilities for building cycling infrastructure which will allow us
to reach cycling potential.  Please keep in mind that cycling not only can meet
individuals transportation needs it can also improve their health as well as
reduce environmental damage.  Plus bicycles are extremely affordable and can
outperform motor vehicles in urban areas.
    Sincerely,
    Milnor H. Senior, III
    President - Bicycle Transportation Systems, Inc.

Institute for Global Futures Research (IGFR) wrote:

> I agree with Mohsin Sarker  'that automobile is such a transportation
> mode that no other mode can provide such utility/convenience to user'.
>
> Particularly in an era of 'demassification'  to borrow a term from
> Toffler, where journey patterns are probably becoming more irregular.
>
> Reducing the number of cars on the road might be more successful
> through incentives (eg fun mass bike-riding days) than disincentives,
> (even-odd days, fuel taxes, tolls etc) which as people have pointed out,
> favour the wealthy.
>
> We should look to reduce people's need to commute (also already
> mentioned).
>
> Also, of course, we must plan for concentrated nodes of pedestrian-based
> urban development so the majority of services are available within walking
> distance (also often mentioned).
>
> Another approach that does not seem to have been discussed is to reverse
> the trend (in wealthy countries at least) toward huge 4WDs, in favor of
> small light vehicles.
>
> Ultra Light Vehicles
> Suppose we had a system of Ultra Light Vehicles (ULVs) with protective
> roll bars etc, maximum speed 30km/hr.  The vehicles could
> be so light you could pick them (eg 80kg compared to 1000kg).  Each ULV,
> only 1.3m long, 1.4m high, 900mm wide (wheel base 1.3m wide) could take
> only one person but several could be linked together to take a family, or
> goods.
>
> They would be electric-powered, noiseless, pollution-free, and
> could be plugged into recharge points at parking spaces all over the city.
> The ULVs could have a relatively wide wheel base so they would very
> difficult to roll.  They would be painted irridescent colours so easily seen.
>
> They would use special lanes until they became the norm when heavier
> vehicles would have to use special lanes.  Roads could then have up to
> double the number of lanes for the same width of road.
>
> They could be made mostly out of recyclable plastic and rubber.  The
> wheels could be narrow and hard (more efficient).
>
> On main routes, ULVs could hook into tracks that provide both power
> and steerage.
>
> Tunnels for such a small, slower, non-polluting vehicle could be constructed
> at a fraction of the cost of conventional tunnels.  Standards on
> maximum height of ULVs could mean passovers need only be 2m high.
> Thus the ease of traffic flow could more than make up for the slower
> traveling speed.
>
> Energy consumption could be reduced by factor 10, as could materials use
> in both vehicles and roads.
>
> The modular approach would also reduce excess capacity wastage for
> single-person journeys.
>
> Relatively ubiquitous rental stops would allow people to pick up a
> ULV and drop it off at another rental stop.  The cost to rent a ULV
> might be approx $4 per hour.  The cost to buy a ULV new might be
> approx $2,000.
>
> Commuters might be able to lease out their vehicle to rental companies
> while they are working.
>
> Seats may have a telescoped base which allows elevation for easier entry
> and exit.
>
> Types of ULVs already exist such as lambrettas, motorised tri-shaws,
> golf-buggies, and a new range of vehicles now found in holiday resorts
> designed for localised sightseeing.
>
> Perhaps what we need is a range of inducements to get more people
> using ULVs.
>
> A high proportion of people in developing countries use motorbikes, and
> thus there is already a very efficient transport system.  The main
> problems that remain here are safety, air-pollution and noise pollution.
>
> Does anyone know what the latest is on the Tulip Project in Paris ?
>
> 'However, a system which is expected to be introduced into Paris by
> the year 2000, known as Tulip, will provide tiny 2-seater electric
> vehicles which are publicly-owned and maintained and available for
> subscribers of the system.  The Tulipmobiles will be available from
> numerous stations around the city where their batteries can also be
> recharged while waiting for the next user.  The system is being
> developed by PSA Peugeot Citroen.'
>
> I'd be interested in any feedback.
>
> Geoff Holland.