[sustran] SUSTRAN News Flash #36: People-centred and sustainable transport news

SUSTRAN Resource Centre sustran at po.jaring.my
Mon Jan 17 10:41:18 JST 2000


Sustainable Transport Action Network for Asia and 
the Pacific (the SUSTRAN Network)
P.O. Box 11501,  50748 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Fax/Phone: +(60 3) 2274 2590
E-mail: sustran at po.jaring.my

SUSTRAN News Flash #36		15 January 2000
People-centred and sustainable transport news

CONTENTS
1.	Wanted: Stories of Positive Change
2.	PROFILE: The Afribike Project
3.	Two-strokes in Thailand Doomed by Pollution Regulations
4.	Indonesian Consumers' Org. Provides Transport Complaint Posts
5.	Pollution Highlighted at Delhi Auto Expo
6.	Children Threatened by Air Pollution
7.	Ho Chi Minh City Expressway Loan from Japan
8.	Car-free Sundays in Italian City Centres
9.	RESOURCES
10.	INTERNET RESOURCES
11.	EVENTS
12.	LIGHTER SIDE


1. WANTED: STORIES OF POSITIVE CHANGE

Do you know any stories of how positive change has come about in transport?
The SUSTRAN Network is keen to share such stories with our readers. Don't
be shy - we are interested in large-scale or small-scale examples; big
successes or small ones. We especially want to hear from low-income and
middle-income countries. Please also share the human dimension - the STORY
not just the bare facts. Who was involved in making the difference? Your
story, however humble it may be, could inspire others around the word. 

All comments, suggestions and contributions from readers are
always most welcome. Such contributions make this News Flash service possible.


2. PROFILE: THE AFRIBIKE PROJECT

One such story is the fledgling Afribike Project in South Africa which is
demonstrating the potential of bicycles to improve lives and livelihoods in
the townships. Bicycles had been rare in the townships. In December 1998,
ITDP and Re~Cycle helped the Afrika Cultural Centre (ACC)to set up the
Afribike workshop in Johannesburg. Bicycles donated in the UK and USA are
being refurbished and made available to low-income cyclists. Classes in
bicycle operation, maintenance and repair are taught to teens and adults.
Inexpensive load-carrying workbikes are fabricated from used bicycles under
the supervision of Soni (Sam) Maswanganyi, the Afribike head mechanic and
Soweto bicycle enthusiast extraordinaire. The Gauteng Self-Employed Women's
Association were the first group to take the course. 

For a detailed account of the on-going project and the people behind it see
the web sites of either Re-Cycle or the Institute for Transportation and
Development Policy (ITDP). 
[Contacts: 
AFRIBIKE, PO Box 13244 Hatfield 0028, South Africa. Tel. +27 11 482 5990,
Fax. +27 11 482 4723, Email. afribike at mweb.co.za; 
RE~CYCLE  ("Relieving Poverty - Taking Old Bikes to New Territory") 60 High
Street, West Mersea, Essex, CO5 8JE, UK. Email: info at re-cycle.org, URL:
http://www.re-cycle.org;  
INSTITUTE FOR TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT POLICY (ITDP), 115 W. 30th
Street, Suite 1205, New York, NY 10001 USA. Email: mobility at igc.apc.org,
URL: http://www.itdp.org]


3. TWO-STROKES IN THAILAND DOOMED BY POLLUTION REGULATIONS

Thailand is to begin to apply new and tougher emission standards on
motorcycle manufacturers next year. These will almost certainly have the
effect of phasing out two-stroke engine motorcycles. The new regulations
will make it impossible both "technically and economically" to manufacture
two-stroke motorcycle engines which emit white exhaust fumes that are more
hazardous than those from four-stroke engines. The current standard sets
the maximum level of carbon monoxide (CO) in exhaust pipe emissions at 13
grams/kilometre, and at 5g/km for hydrocarbon (HC). The new standard
reduces allowable CO emissions to 4.5 g/km and HC emissions to 3 g/km.
However, technically hydrocarbon emissions from two-stroke engines can only
be reduced to 3g/km, while emissions from four-stroke engines can be
lowered to 0.8-1 g/km. Even the current standard, in place since 1994, is
already tough for two-stroke motorcycles to pass. [Source: forwarded by a
SUSTRAN Network participant based on an article in the Bangkok Post, 17
December 1999]


4. INDONESIAN CONSUMERS' ORGANISATION PROVIDES TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS POSTS

The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (or Yayasan Lembaga Konsumen Indonesia
- YLKI) organised "Complaints Posts"  at each of the main bus and train
stations in Jakarta during the recent Muslim Festive season (Aidilfitri)
when millions of Indonesians flood back to their home villages. The posts
operated for 9 days (1 to 9 January) and received complaints from the
public about the safety, comfort, service, etc. of transport services. The
volunteers at the posts also provided advocacy materials about making
transport safer and more humane. [Contact: Yayasan Lembaga Konsumen
Indonesia (YLKI), Jl. Pancoran Barat VII/1, Duren Tiga, Jakarta Selatan
12760, Indonesia. Phone: 62-21-7981858, 7981859, Fax: 62-21-7981038,
e-mail: konsumen at rad.net.id]


5. POLLUTION HIGHLIGHTED AT DELHI AUTO EXPO

Among the glitzy cars at the annual auto expo held in New Delhi the Centre
for Science and Environment (CSE) placed a shocking exhibition on air
pollution in India's cities. CSE has found that during the period 1975-1995
during which the Indian economy grew by about 2.5 times, the total quantity
of pollutants increased by eight times. CSE's press release is at:
http://www.oneworld.org/cse/html/au/au4_20000113.htm [Contact: 41,
Tughlakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi 110 062, India. Fax: +91-11-698
5879, Email: webadmin at cseindia.org, URL: http://www.cseindia.org]


6. CHILDREN THREATENED BY AIR POLLUTION

The World Resources Institute (WRI) has produced a report stating that
millions of the worlds' children are being exposed to high concentrations
of air pollution. Children living in large cities, especially in developing
countries, are facing exposure to air pollution levels that are two to
eight times higher than the maximum exposure levels set by the World Health
Organisation. Due to these pollution levels, more than 80% of deaths
related to respiratory diseases occurring in developing nations, occur
among children under the age of five. The WRI has also highlighted the need
for stricter standards, with more efficient use of energy, stricter
standards for vehicles, and better traffic management.  The WRI's "Urban
Air Pollution Risks to Children: A Global Environmental Health Indicator",
is available via the WRI web site:  http://www.wri.org  [Source: Swedish
NGO Secretariat on Acid Rain - http://www.acidrain.org]


7. HO CHI MINH CITY EXPRESSWAY LOAN FROM JAPAN

Ho Chi Minh City plans to build a 21.4km-long, 6-lane, east-west highway.
The Japan International Co-operation Bank (JICB) has agreed to provide
loans for the project which will link National Highway 1 to Tran Van Kieu
Street, Chuong Duong Wharf, and the Thu Thiem Tunnel to be built under the
Sai Gon River and join up with the Hanoi Highway in District 2. It is
estimated that about 5,214 houses will have to be demolished for the
project. [Sources: VNA, forwarded from VNForum by a keen sustran-discuss
member].


8. CAR-FREE SUNDAYS IN ITALIAN CITY CENTRES

Beginning on February 6, fourteen Italian cities, including Rome, Florence
and Milan, are to ban cars from their city centres every Sunday. This
follows a successful trial last September which dramatically lowered
pollution levels. Public transport will be made more frequent on Sundays to
compensate. Cities joined the experiment on a voluntary basis but the
national Government has provided financial incentives to those that join
the scheme. [Source: newsgroups].



9. RESOURCES

CAR BUSTERS Magazine. One year subscriptions US$17.5 [Contact: PLEASE NOTE
NEW ADDRESS FOR CAR BUSTERS MAGAZINE AND RESOURCE CENTRE, Kratka 26, 100 00
Praha 10, Czech Republic. Tel: +(420) 2-781-08-49 ; Fax: +(420)
2-781-67-27, Email: carbusters at ecn.cz, URL: http://www.antenna.nl/eyfa/cb]

SEVERAL RESOURCES FROM UITP - International Association of Public
Transport, Avenue Herrmann-Debroux 17, B-1160 Brussels, Belgium, Tel +32 2
673 6100 - Fax +32 2 660 1072, E-mail: administration at uitp.com, URL:
http://www.uitp.com]
--- Light Rail Trends 1998. Conclusions of the major survey on the
influence of a light rail system in city development and population. Price
1900 BEF (1520 BEF for UITP members).
--- Proceedings of the 53rd UITP International Congress on Public
Transport, May 23-28 1999, Toronto, Canada are available on CD ROM. Price
5500 BEF (4400 BEF for UITP members). 
--- VIDEO "Save the City". This video shows how urban planning, integrated
with an active transport policy, can Save the City. Success stories from
around the world show how it can work. Price 500 BEF (400 BEF for UITP
members).

Two new Transport and the Economy supporting reports from the UK's Standing
Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment (SACTRA) have been published
and made available in pdf (Acrobat) format on the web at
http://www.roads.detr.gov.uk/roadnetwork/sactra/support99/
--- A Framework for Assessing Studies of the Impact of Transport
Infrastructure Projects on Economic Activity (262kb)
--- Taxation, Economic Growth and the Double Dividend (153kb) 

Faiz, A. et al. 1996. "Air pollution from motor vehicles: standards and
technologies for controlling emissions". Washington, DC: World Bank. (Lists
recent and forthcoming, emission standards in several countries). 

The Tramways of Brazil: A 130 - Year Survey by Allen Morrison. New York:
Bonde Press, 1989. ISBN 0-9622348-1-8. The entire text is on the web at:
http://members.aol.com/tranviario/01.html



10. INTERNET RESOURCES

CORRECTION:  In the last SUSTRAN News Flash (#35) the contact details for
the New Zealand Sustainable Transport Network (STN) were outdated. The
correct web site is http://www.eeca.govt.nz - then follow the Transport
signpost.

MALAYSIA-TRANSPORT LIST - discussions on how to make transport in Malaysia
more people-centred, equitable and sustainable -
http://www.egroups.com/list/malaysia-transport/

Australian Cycling Promotion Fund (a voluntary contribution by companies
supplying bicycle products and related services in Australia) -
http://www.cycling-australia.com   - See also
http://www.bikenews.org/1999/18.htm for an article on this initiative.

Electric Transport in Latin America, an inventory of electric
transportation in Latin America -http://members.aol.com/almo1435/etla.html

Tram Views of Asia: Early 20th Century photographs of trams in Asia -
http://members.aol.com/trolleyana/tva.html

New Thesis - "Personal mobility or community accessibility: A planning
choice with social, economic and environmental consequences" by William
Ross, Institute for Sustainability and Technology Policy (ISTP), Murdoch
University, Australia. -
http://wwwistp.murdoch.edu.au/RESEARCH/wross/wross.htm

New at the site of the Victoria Transportation Policy Institute -
http://www.vtpi.org: 
-   "The Trouble With Minimum Parking Requirements" by Donald Shoup
-   "Local Politician's Guide to Urban Transportation" by Gordon Price,
Councillor, City of Vancouver.
(
among other things)

The Bicycle News Agency - http://www.bikenews.org [Contact: Ernst Poulsen,
editor at bikenews.org]

European Cyclist's Federation (ECF) Main Office, Rue de Londres, 15 (b 3),
B-1050 Brussels, Belgium. E-mail: office at ecf.com, URL: http://www.ecf.com

Light Rail Transit Association (LRTA) promotes better public transport
through light rail, tramway and metro systems - http://www.lrta.org

Center for Neighborhood Technology, 2125 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647,
USA. URL: http://www.cnt.org

The Institute on Independent Living serves self-help organisations of
disabled people who work for equal opportunities, self-determination and
self-respect. It maintains a full-text online library including access and
transport issues. For example, see the current debate "Independent Living
for the rich only?" [Contact: Adolf Ratzka, Director,
ratzka at independentliving.org, http://www.independentliving.org

TRIS, Transportation Research Information Service, the world's largest and
most comprehensive bibliographic database on transportation, is online at -
http://www.bts.gov/ntl/tris/ or http://tris.amti.com/

TravelSmart  - successful and innovative community-based Travel Demand
Management project in Perth, Western Australia achieved a 14% reduction in
car travel, an increase in travel-based exercise from 12 minutes to 16
minutes per person per day, and a 13:1 overall benefit cost ratio. It 
"paid" for itself twice over in reduced road trauma alone. [Contact: 
Bruce James, Email: BJames at Transport.wa.gov.au, URL:
http://www.travelsmart.transport.wa.gov.au].



11. EVENTS

International Conference and Exhibition: Sustainable Transportation and
Clean Air, May 31-June 2, 2000, Jakarta, Indonesia. [Contact:
Sustainable Transportation and Clean Air Conference Secretariat c/o Clean
Air Project, Jakarta, Jalan Wijaya XII, No. 44, 12160 Jakarta, Indonesia.
Phone: +62 21 739 40 41, Fax: +62 21 722 30 37, E-mail:
cap at swisscontact.or.id]. 

UITP conference: "Public Transport - The Challenge". 10-11 April 2000,
Mexico City, Mexico. [Contact: International Association of Public 
Transport (UITP), Avenue Herrmann-Debroux 17, B-1160 Brussels, Belgium, 
Tel +32 2 673 6100 - Fax +32 2 660 1072, E-mail: administration at uitp.com, 
URL: http://www.uitp.com]

"CODATU IX World Congress on Urban Transportation" - central theme: Urban
Transportation and the Environment, Mexico City 11-14 April 2000 [Contact:
CODATU IX Scientific Committee, Christian JAMET, 9/11, Av. De Villars 75007
Paris, France. Fax: +33 1 44 18 78 04, E-mail: christian.jamet at stp-paris.fr].

"VELO MONDIALE 2000 World Bicycle Conference", June 18-22, 2000, Amsterdam,
The Netherlands. [Contact: Congress Organisation Services, Fax: +31 24 360
1159, http://www.velomondial2000.nl/]

I-ce, Interface for Cycling Expertise,  is organising a special week of
training on cycling for urban planners, traffic experts, cycling unionists
and others. It will take place in Amsterdam from Monday 26 till Friday 30
June (the week after Velo Mondiale). [Contact: training-ice at cycling.nl,
http://www.cycling.nl].

"Reinventing Mobility - Challenge of the 21st Century", June 24 - 27, 2000,
Bremen, Germany. Organised by bremen initiative, the global campaign for
business-municipality partnership towards a sustainable future for cities.
[For further information: Ecolo-Ecology and Communication, Leher Heerstr.
102, D-28359 Bremen - Germany. Phone: +49-421-23.00.11.0;
Fax:+49-421-23.00.11.18; E-mail: conference2000 at bremen-initiative.de,
Visit http://www.bremen-initiative.de] 

"ProBike/ProWalk 2000 conference" 11th International Conference on
Bicycling and Walking, 5-9 September, 2000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
USA. Abstracts can be submitted until 14 February. [Contact: The National
Center for Bicycling and Walking, Bill Wilkinson or Peter Moe, 1506 21st
Street NW  Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036, USA. Email: bikefed at aol.com,
URL: http://www.bikefed.org]. 

"UITP Melbourne 2000 Public Transport Conference Event", 8-13 October 2000,
includes both the International Union of Public Transport (UITP) Light Rail
Conference and the Asia/Pacific Congress and City Transport Exhibition.
Additional information is available on the website of the Government of
Victoria (Australia) at: http://www.lightrail2000.vic.gov.au [Contact: 
International Association of Public Transport (UITP), see above]

"XI Panamerican Conference in Traffic and Transportation Engineering",
19-23 November, 2000, Gramado, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
[Contact: Dr. Luis Antonio Lindau, President of the Organising Committee,
Escola de Engenharia/UFRGS, Praça Argentina n.9 Sala 408, 90040-020 Porto
Alegre, Brasil. Tel: + 55 51 316 3596, Fax : + 55 51 316 4007, email:
panam at orion.ufrgs.br, Web: http://www.ufrgs.br/panam]

54th UITP International Congress, London, 20-25 May 2001 (Call for Papers
is now open) AND International Exhibition of Public Transport - City
Transport 2001. London, England, 21-24 May 2001. [Contact: International 
Association of Public Transport (UITP), see above]

"9th World Conference on Transport Research (WCTR)" to be held at ASEM
International Convention Center, Seoul, July 22-27, 2001. Deadline for
submission of abstracts April 15, 2000. [Contact: Secretariat of 9th WCTR
Conference, the Korea Transport Institute, 2311 Daehwa-Dong, Ilsan-Gu,
Koyang-city, Kyonggi-Do, 411-410, KOREA. Tel : +82-344-910-3100, Fax:
+82-344-910-3200, Email: wctr at cis.koti.re.kr, Web:
http://www.koti.re.kr/~wctr]



12. LIGHTER SIDE

A quick solution to pedestrians' problems crossing the road? How about a
roll-up zebra crossing that you can carry around with you! See pictures at
http://info.pitt.edu/~ctnst3/chindogu/chin10.html


-----------------------------------------------------
Written and compiled by A. Rahman Paul Barter 

We rely on you, the participants in the network, for our news. Thank you
very much to all those who have contributed. Please keep the contributions
coming. We welcome brief news and announcements from all over the world. 

The Sustainable Transport Action Network for Asia & the Pacific (the
SUSTRAN Network) promotes and popularises people-centred, equitable and
sustainable transport with a focus on Asia and the Pacific.




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