[sustran] FW: Sustainable Transport Newsletter

[Paul Barter]

A bit delayed... But this has some interesting items so wanted to forward to the list. 
Paul

-----Original Message-----
From: Philip Watson [mailto:Philip.Watson at eeca.govt.nz] 
Sent: Friday, 17 January 2003 4:52 AM
To: sustran at po.jaring.my
Subject: Sustainable Transport Newsletter


Transport Network Newsletter
Issue 25, December 2002 / January 2003

CONTENTS:

News
·	CAST Director Critical Of New Zealand Pedestrian Infrastructure
·	New Zealand's First School Travel Plan Launched
·	New Zealand Transport Strategy Finally A Reality
·	New Private Members Bill From Greens Targets Traffic 
·	Does New Zealand Have A Hydrogen Future?
·	Second Draft Of Emissions Rule Released For Public Consultation
·	Diesels Dominate In EnergyWise Rally
·	Urban Design Forum New Zealand
·	UK Deputy Prime Minister Clamps Down On Travel Impacts Of Retailers
·	Nottingham City Council Puts Off Workplace Parking Levy

Events
·	BikeWise Business Battle
·	Land Transport Summit
·	Urbanism Down Under 2003 - "Transforming Cities In Australia And New Zealand." 
·	International Conference On Environmentally Sustainable Transport In The Asian Region 
·	Walk21 IV - The Fourth International Conference On Walking In The 21st Century
·	NZPI 2003 Conference
·	10th International Conference On Travel Behaviour Research
·	Australasian Transport Research Forum 2003

Resources
·	VTPI - Transportation Cost And Benefit Analysis Guidebook 
·	Old Roads To Green Roads


******
If you have any comments, recommendations, changes of address or if you wish to be remo ved from the e-mail list please contact the editor, Philip Watson (09 916 4646, philip.watson at eeca.govt.nz). 

Back copies of this newsletter are on the EECA website at: www.eeca.govt.nz/content/transport/network. 

******


NEWS 
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CAST DIRECTOR CRITICAL OF NEW ZEALAND PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE

Infrastructure for pedestrians in New Zealand is sadly lacking according to UK transport expert Rodney Tolley.  Tolley, who is the director of the Centre for Alternative and Sustainable Transport at Staffordshire University, was visiting New Zealand for a series of lectures and workshops sponsored by EECA and seven councils.  Tolley was critical of pedestrian crossings, the quality of footpaths, access to public transport and traffic speeds in city centres.

Tolley said that providing better infrastructure for pedestrians helped remove both psychological and physical barriers which prevent people from walking.

During his seminars in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin Tolley outlined three key benefits of having more people walking.  Firstly, walking was a cheap, accessible form of exercise.  According to international research walking (10 minutes, three times a day) was the best form of exercise for reducing obesity.  Secondly, if more people were able to walk instead of use their cars for short trips then there would be reduced emissions of local air pollutants and carbon dioxide.  Finally, better access for pedestrians leads to greater foot traffic, and therefore thriving retailers and safer cities.

Tolley lists five simple steps which would make towns and cities more walkable:
1.	Reduce traffic - take space away from cars and give it to pedestrians, especially in city areas where pedestrians outnumber cars.
2.	Design convenient, direct walking routes.
3.	Promote outdoor life through squares, art and architecture.
4.	Make streets save and secure - enhance natural surveillance.
5.	Reduce traffic speed.

Tolley was also quick to point out the need to promote quality walking environments once they were established.

After the success of Rodney Tolley's visit, EECA is looking to work more closely with him, possibly including a return visit later this year.

See the current EnergyWise News magazine for more on Rodney Tolley's visit.  See also the CAST website (www.staffs.ac.uk/geography/cast) for conference presentations, reports and other sustainable transport information.


NEW ZEALAND'S FIRST SCHOOL TRAVEL PLAN LAUNCHED

Vauxhall School, Devonport, North Shore City, last month became the first New Zealand school to launch a 'school travel plan.'  The TravelWise to School project at Vauxhall School is a partnership between the North Shore City Council, Vauxhall School and the community.  Its aims include to encourage healthy alternatives to car transport, to increase the awareness of road safety, to involve the local and school community in the school travel plan and to reduce traffic congestion near the school.

Setting up a school travel plan involves establishing how children are currently getting to and from school and determining which alternative modes of travel parents would consider adopting.  An extensive programme of consultation is then carried out involving children, parents and other members of the local community to determine what the perceived priority issues are in relation to school travel.  These will typically include information to parents and children on road safety concerns and infrastructure improvements which make the environment surrounding the school safer to walk or cycle.  Other initiatives such as walking school buses which make travel to school by sustainable modes fun for children and class room resources (such as road safety education) can also be included.

The travel plan has identified that a  'Kea Crossing' - a temporary pedestrian crossing will be put into place outside the school. The plan has also identified the need for a drop-off zone for vehicles allowing parents to drop-off and pick up children in a safe designated area and no-parking zones outside the school.  Vauxhall School also has walking school buses operating and has joined the LTSA's 'Road Sense' safety education programme.

The North Shore City Council plans to get other schools involved in the TravelWise to School project during 2003.  A second travel plan is in the process of completion at Bayswater Primary School. This will be launched in March/April 2003.  EECA is monitoring the success of the TravelWise to School project and considering how a school travel plan programme might be implemented across New Zealand.

For more information contact Gill Weyman, Road Safety Coordinator at the North Shore City Council: gill.weyman at northshorecity.govt.nz.


NEW ZEALAND TRANSPORT STRATEGY FINALLY A REALITY
 
The long awaited New Zealand Transport Strategy (NZTS) was released by Transport Minister, Paul Swain, late last year.  It embodies a significant change in New Zealand transport policy requiring a more integrated and long-term approach to transport policy, planning and management, including a greater emphasis on environmental and social impacts.
 
The NZTS presents the vision that by 2010, New Zealand will have an affordable, integrated, safe, responsive and sustainable transport system.  Building on this vision, the NZTS sets out the government's objectives for transport which are to address economic development, assist safety and personal security, improve access and mobility, protect and promote public health and ensure environmental sustainability.
 
Implementation of the NZTS will happen in a number of ways, through:
·	Ministerial leadership,
·	Funding and budget prioritisation, 
·	Specific sector strategies where necessary, such as walking and cycling, Road Safety 2010 and bio-security,
·	Consultation and cooperation, and
·	Monitoring and review.
 
A website will be set up later this year to provide a reference point to ensure ongoing links are maintained between the NZTS and other relevant government initiatives.  A rolling strategic plan, showing the status of key initiatives, setting out the lead agency and other agencies involved, as well as relevant timeframes, will be available on the website.
 
To meet the objective of environmental sustainability, the NZTS indicates that the negative impacts on land air, water, communities and ecosystems will have to be reduced.  Key to this will be the more efficient use of resources and a shift over time to the use of renewable resources.  The NZTS highlights the  importance of the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy as a vital element  in the achievement of an environmentally sustainable transport system.
 
The Minister of Transport also tabled the Land Transport Management Bill in Parliament late last year.  The Bill is an integral component in achieving the land transport aims of the NZTS.  The aim of the Bill is to provide a more balanced and flexible funding framework for land transport projects that takes the needs of all users into account.
 
Key points of the Bill include:
·	The focus of transport funding and management is shifting to include greater emphasis on social and environmental needs.
·	Transit and Transfund are required to expand their focus from roads to land transport and are required to undertake more extensive consultation in relation to social and environmental impacts.
·	Increased funding flexibility, which means that a much wider range of land transport projects can be considered.
·	The requirement for a longer-term focus within land transport funding.
·	The establishment of a generic framework for tolling schemes and allowance of public/private partnerships to enable funding of new infrastructure from other sources.
  
For more details on the Bill and the NZTS visit the "Current" section of the Ministry of Transport's website: www.transport.govt.nz. 
 

NEW PRIVATE MEMBERS BILL FROM GREENS TARGETS TRAFFIC 

A new private members bill from Jeanette Fitzsimons, which aims to decouple growth in vehicle usage from growth in population and the economy, was table in Parliament late last year.  The Bill requires that the Minister of Transport (through the NZTS) and regional councils (through their regional land transport strategies) put in place targets, timetables and measures to reduce motorised traffic.

The approach is similar to that used in the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000 which set up the requirement for an energy efficiency and conservation strategy.

"Some people think that all we need to solve problems of congestion is to build more motorways," said Fitzsimons.  "But the evidence is against them.  No country in the world has managed to solve congestion for long just by building more roads."

"The benefits will be substantial savings in economic costs as well as clean air, less greenhouses gas, safer streets and healthier people."

The Bill will be considered at select committee in February.

For more information see Jeanette Fitzsimons' speech: www.greens.org.nz/searchdocs/speech5845.html. 


DOES NEW ZEALAND HAVE A HYDROGEN FUTURE?

What will New Zealand's road map to a hydrogen future look like? That's the question being examined at a workshop next month in Wellington.

Government officials, key private sector organisations and organisations involved in hydrogen and fuel cell research will gather to develop an understanding of the international hydrogen scene, get an update on what is already happening in New Zealand and examine the hydrogen future.

The workshop follows the identification of hydrogen as a potential energy source for New Zealand in the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy and the June 2002 announcement of significant government investment through its the Foundation for Science, Research and Technology. This six-year investment covers research by CRL Energy and Industrial Research Ltd and could see New Zealand powered by 'clean green' hydrogen energy by 2020.

Speakers include Michael McDonald, Head of Methanex's Fuel Cell Division in Vancouver, Michael J Binder and Mark Williams from the US Department of Energy and Simon Whitehouse, Director of Alternative Transport in Perth.

BP, Methanex, Meridian Energy, Solid Energy, Transpower and the Bus and Coach Association are sponsoring the event.  A number of government agencies including EECA are also sponsoring the event.

Attendance is by invitation only, and details can be obtained from Connie Crookshanks at the Ministry for the Environment, email connie.crookshanks at mfe.govt.nz, phone 04 917 3745.


SECOND DRAFT OF EMISSIONS RULE RELEASED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION

The second draft of the Vehicle Exhaust Emissions Rule was released late last year by the Ministry of Transport.  The Rule will ensure all vehicles entering New Zealand are manufactured to a recognised international emissions standard.  It will apply to both new and used vehicles and will begin to take effect from 1 January 2004.  The requirements of the Rule will be phased in over the next four years to take account of the improving fuel quality in New Zealand.  Vehicles already in New Zealand will not be affected. 

The highest standard set for petrol vehicles under the proposed Rule is the European Union's Euro III standard, which will come into force from 2006.  In the EU the Euro III standard has been in place since 2001.  Light diesel vehicles will be required to meet the Euro IV standard by 2006 which will be required in the EU from 2005.

The Rule is part of the Ministry of Transport's developing Vehicle Emissions Policy which is working towards reducing the harmful emissions from motor vehicles such as nitrous oxides, hydrocarbons and particulates.  The social cost of these emissions became clear early last year when research revealed the so called 'invisible road toll,' deaths occurring as a result of exposure to vehicle emissions, was killing almost as many people as road accidents.

Key stakeholders have until 31 January 2003 to make submissions.  The Rule is expected to become law by mid year.

For more information check out the "Current" section of the Ministry of Transport's website: www.transport.govt.nz.


DIESELS DOMINATE IN ENERGYWISE RALLY

The outstanding fuel efficiency of new diesel cars was highlighted in the recent EnergyWise Rally 2002 where they took out the top four environment placings (other vehicles, not commercially available in New Zealand yet, received higher ratings but were not eligible for awards).  The winning vehicle, a Peugeot 406 HDi, achieved an outstanding fuel efficiency of 4.2 litres per 100 km.  This would save the typical New Zealand family $670 a year in fuel, even allowing for road user charges.  The Peugeot covered the 1500km route from Auckland to Wellington and back on $39 of diesel.  Could your car achieve that?

The EnergyWise Rally highlighted both the excellent fuel efficiency of new vehicles, and the importance of driver behaviour.  For example, the largest car in the Rally, a 5.7 litre Holden Commodore driven by Greg Murphy and Jason Richards, scored the highest fuel economy at 9.9 litres per 100 km.  This result is slightly better than the fuel economy of a typical New Zealand 2 litre car!  With an engine nearly three times the size of the average family car, the Commodore's fuel efficiency can only have been achieved through skilled driving and technological advances.  And speed need not be compromised - unsurprisingly the V8 supercar drivers were the first to finish every stage.  Jason Richard's said "If you imagine there is an egg under the accelerator when you are driving it's easy." 

To minimise the event's impact on the environment EECA and the Motor Industry Association have planted 150 trees in Wellington, Palmerston North and Auckland.  These trees will mitigate the effects of the CO2 emitted by the Rally vehicles, making the event 'carbon neutral.'

For full results of the Rally, check out www.energywiserally.org.nz.


URBAN DESIGN FORUM NEW ZEALAND

A new forum of New Zealand planning and design professionals, academics and a range of other people interested in urban design is gathering momentum.  The 'Urban Design Forum NZ' has chapters in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin as well as a nationwide e-mail newsletter.

The Forum is still in its formative stages, and will be looking to define a mission during the Urbanism Down Under Forum in Auckland (see "Events" below).  One of its key tasks is likely to be encouraging high profile debates and promoting political leadership at all levels of government on urban design.

To subscribe to the newsletter or for details of local contacts e-mail Bernie Walsh bernadine.walsh at northshorecity.govt.nz


UK DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER CLAMPS DOWN ON TRAVEL IMPACTS OF RETAILERS

John Prescott, the UK deputy Prime Minister has over-ruled a decision to allow furniture retailer IKEA to build a 28,000 square metre outlet in Stockport, Greater Manchester.  Planning permission was rejected on the grounds that the proposed store ran counter to a planning policy guideline which aims to reduce the need to travel, especially by car.

Despite proposals by the furniture retailer to make public transport, walking and cycling viable options for travel to the store, Prescott noted that surveys suggested 90% of customers would still travel to the store by car.  He suggested IKEA could investigate more central sites capable of accommodating the development, "in whole or disaggregated form." 

The decision effectively recognises that a destination's site is the greatest determinant of the amount of travel it creates, rather than the modal options which are available.

For more information see http://society.guardian.co.uk/urbandesign/story/0,11200,842420,00.html  


NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL PUTS OFF WORKPLACE PARKING LEVY

Nottingham City Council has further delayed plans to implement a workplace parking levy (WPL), prompting speculation that the project - just the third of its type in the world - could be abandoned.  Already delayed a year from its initial start date of 2003 it will now not be introduced until April 2005.

In the interim the success of the London congestion charging scheme will be monitored and a study will be undertaken into whether road user charging might be a more suitable policy.

The Nottingham WPL is expected to cost employers around £150 per commuter car parking space per year, and rise to around £350 over 10 years.  The WPL would generate £5-15 million per year and would be used to fund infrastructure improvements for public transport, walking and cycling as well as new roads.

For more information visit the Nottingham City Council's WPL website: http://www.congestionfreenottingham.com/


BUSES GETTING GREATER PRIORITY

Buses are to get increased priority in London with an £850 million package of bus priority measures recently announced for the city.  The package will result in priority measures covering 21% of the city's 3000 km of bus routes.

The bus priority action plan for 2004-2011 identifies the next phase of bus priority beyond the completion of work on the 850 km London Bus Priority Network and the 69-route London Bus Initiative.  These are both due to be completed by 2004.  

Phase one of the plan, from 2004-08, would concentrate on expanding bus priority to other routes across London.  The second phase, from 2008-11, would involve intensifying bus priority on a 630 km core priority network.  Measures could include physical segregation of bus lanes; guided busways; bus gates and expanded camera and CCTV enforcement.  A 'hearts and minds' campaign to win public support for the measures is also being developed.

For more information visit Transport for London's website www.londontransport.co.uk. 



EVENTS
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BIKEWISE BUSINESS BATTLE.  15 - 23 February, 2003.  New Zealand.  Be in to win Kathmandu gear or a "work shout" by getting lots of people from your organisation to bike to work.  For more information check out www.bikewisebattle.co.nz.

LAND TRANSPORT SUMMIT.  18 - 19 February, 2003.  Auckland.  For more information go to www.conferenz.co.nz. 

URBANISM DOWN UNDER 2003 - "TRANSFORMING CITIES IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND."  20 - 22 March, 2003.  Auckland.  www.cce.auckland.ac.nz/urbanismdownunder/index.htm. 

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT IN THE ASIAN REGION.  23 - 25 March 2003.  Nagoya, Japan. www.oecd.org/pdf/M00034000/M00034076.pdf. 

WALK21 IV - THE FOURTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WALKING IN THE 21ST CENTURY.  1 - 3 May, 2003.  Portland, Oregon, USA.  www.walk21.com. 

NZPI 2003 CONFERENCE - Vision 50/50: 22 - 24 May 2003.  Hamilton.  www.nzplanning.co.nz. 

10TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TRAVEL BEHAVIOUR RESEARCH.  
10 - 14 August 2003.  Lucerne, Switzerland. www.ce.utexas.edu/iatbr/Conference2003/iatbr2003.htm. 

AUSTRALASIAN TRANSPORT RESEARCH FORUM 2003.  1 - 3 October 2003.  Wellington.  A call for papers will occur in early 2003.  For more information please contact Tony Brennand: tony.brennand at wrc.govt.nz.



RESOURCES
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VTPI - TRANSPORTATION COST AND BENEFIT ANALYSIS GUIDEBOOK 

The Victoria Transport Policy Institute has posted an online edition of "Transportation Cost And Benefit Analysis: Techniques, Estimates And Implications." This 350-page guidebook provides comprehensive information on transportation costs and benefits for use in planning and policy analysis. It is one of the most detailed studies of transportation economic, social and environmental impacts, and the only one that is regularly expanded and updated as new information becomes available. It provides estimates of twenty costs for eleven different transport modes under three travel conditions in a format designed to easily compare transportation alternatives. It also indicates the distribution of costs. 
For example, it provides estimates of the internal and external costs of automobile use, and the potential cost savings from a shift to alternative modes under rural, urban-off-peak and urban-peak conditions.

The Guidebook reviews previous transportation impact studies, discusses economic evaluation practices, describes how nonmarket impacts are estimated, discusses major findings, evaluates criticisms of transportation costing, and explores implications and applications of this research. It 
provides extensive reference information, mostly available through the Internet, allowing users to obtain additional information when needed.

The Guidebook is available free at http://www.vtpi.org/tca


OLD ROADS TO GREEN ROADS

The British Road Federation has just released a useful new reference work: "Old Roads to Green Roads - Improving the environmental performance of the existing road network."  The book is a practical guide to the type of measures that could be implemented on the existing road network to improve its environmental performance, and to bring old roads up to the latest design standards.  In the past little attention has been paid to the environmental condition of roads that were not due to be improved.  Some of the key concerns for the public are noise, landscape, lighting and the recycling of materials for repair and maintenance.  Considerable progress has been made in these fields in recent years, but the potential for change has not always been fully appreciated.

This book is available to purchase from Landor Books: www.landorbooks.co.uk. 

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Become a contributor to this newsletter!  If you come across web-based news, case studies or research that will interest our readers I would appreciate an e-mail from you.  You are also welcome to send me details of upcoming events related to sustainable transport if you would like them to be included in the next newsletter.

Thanks, Philip.