Chapter 13Chapter 13 11

Toward a Sustainable Transportation SystemToward a Sustainable Transportation System

1.1. Sustainability: Pros & cons for transportationSustainability: Pros & cons for transportation2.2. Definition of sustainabilityDefinition of sustainability3.3. Growing congestion, the cost of congestion and Growing congestion, the cost of congestion and

some ways to reduce congestionsome ways to reduce congestion4.4. Transportation and energyTransportation and energy5.5. Effects on the environmentEffects on the environment6.6. Technology’s impact on sustainabilityTechnology’s impact on sustainability

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Sustainability DefinedSustainability Defined

The notion of sustainability = The notion of sustainability = to seek strategies that meet to seek strategies that meet current community needs without denying necessary resources current community needs without denying necessary resources to future inhabitantsto future inhabitants. It’s a system’s notion. To the extent that . It’s a system’s notion. To the extent that the components of a community (land use patterns, the components of a community (land use patterns, transportation, utilities, education, recreation, etc.) can be transportation, utilities, education, recreation, etc.) can be coordinated and made more efficient, the goals and desires of coordinated and made more efficient, the goals and desires of the present can be achieved without compromising the livability the present can be achieved without compromising the livability of the future.of the future.

To the United States, the concept of sustainable transportation To the United States, the concept of sustainable transportation means that transportationmeans that transportation

• Is clean and quietIs clean and quiet• Is efficientIs efficient• Does not contribute to pollution and global warmingDoes not contribute to pollution and global warming• Uses nonrenewable energy wisely (within the country’s resources)Uses nonrenewable energy wisely (within the country’s resources)• Contributes positively to the country’s economyContributes positively to the country’s economy

Can you describe a few examples that try to achieve some of these goals?

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Why do we need to be serious about Why do we need to be serious about sustainability?sustainability?

Natural resources (especially oil) are limited Natural resources (especially oil) are limited and foreign oil dependency is increasingand foreign oil dependency is increasing

Air and noise pollutions are public health Air and noise pollutions are public health problems – more illnesses, higher medical problems – more illnesses, higher medical expenditures.expenditures.

The nature cannot completely clear up air The nature cannot completely clear up air pollution.pollution.

A significant fraction of the population does A significant fraction of the population does not have access to automobiles – a social not have access to automobiles – a social inequityinequity

Congestion continues to increase. For Congestion continues to increase. For urbanized areas, automobiles are becoming urbanized areas, automobiles are becoming inefficient in moving a large number of inefficient in moving a large number of people.people.

Urban sprawl continues if only auto-oriented Urban sprawl continues if only auto-oriented projects are given higher priority (Eagle Mt. is projects are given higher priority (Eagle Mt. is an example of urban sprawl.)an example of urban sprawl.)

The pros and cons of transportation

Example 13.1 “How can we reduce energy use during commuting?”

This is SLC, not LA!

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Some ways to consider sustainabilitySome ways to consider sustainability

Planning for sustainable transportation is based on the Planning for sustainable transportation is based on the examination of several possible avenues to achieve examination of several possible avenues to achieve community goals. The goals are community-specific, community goals. The goals are community-specific, accounting for its needs and those areas that are expected accounting for its needs and those areas that are expected to impact the community mobility in the best way.to impact the community mobility in the best way.

• Employee incentives for carpooling, vanpooling, transit and Employee incentives for carpooling, vanpooling, transit and non-motorized modes (biking and walking)non-motorized modes (biking and walking)

• Integrated land use planningIntegrated land use planning – traditional neighborhood – traditional neighborhood concept, intermodal transportation system (e.g. The Gateway concept, intermodal transportation system (e.g. The Gateway Shopping Center in SLC, Daybreak)Shopping Center in SLC, Daybreak)

• Transit-oriented design (TOD)Transit-oriented design (TOD) – integrates residential and – integrates residential and commercial land uses with accessible transit service (e.g. commercial land uses with accessible transit service (e.g. Daybreak Development; a new mixed-use development north Daybreak Development; a new mixed-use development north of University Mall)of University Mall)

• Foster centralized growth, stop urban sprawlFoster centralized growth, stop urban sprawl – (i.g., City Creek – (i.g., City Creek development)development)

• Neighborhood transportation cooperativesNeighborhood transportation cooperatives – grow naturally – grow naturally among residents – carpooling kids for school and after-school among residents – carpooling kids for school and after-school programsprograms

• Maximize transportation choice and incentivesMaximize transportation choice and incentives – Provo is – Provo is getting better in this area: bike lane/path, UTA, Frontrunnergetting better in this area: bike lane/path, UTA, Frontrunner

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Growing congestion and the cost of congestionGrowing congestion and the cost of congestion

Urban congestion is growing in three increasingly Urban congestion is growing in three increasingly visible ways:visible ways:• The time penalty for peak period – 14 hrs/year in 1982 The time penalty for peak period – 14 hrs/year in 1982

to 34 hrs/year in 2010to 34 hrs/year in 2010• The period of time when travelers might experience The period of time when travelers might experience

congestion – 4.5 hrs/day in 1982 to 7 hrs/day in 2000congestion – 4.5 hrs/day in 1982 to 7 hrs/day in 2000• The volume of roadways where travel is congested – The volume of roadways where travel is congested –

34% in 1982 to 58% in 200034% in 1982 to 58% in 2000

Click here for the Urban Mobility Study by TTI

Simply adding more lanes do not reduce congestion because of induced demand. The upgraded I-15 section is a good example of this.

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How much do we waste due to congestion?How much do we waste due to congestion?

6,570 million gallons? About $13.14 billion per year at $2/gallon! (GNP of the US 1997 = $8.5 trillion, meaning

0.15% or 1.5/1000 of total GNP wasted)3203

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Why many still drive for almost any activities: Why many still drive for almost any activities: How do the drivers see their driving costs?How do the drivers see their driving costs?

UD = User direct costs

UF = User fixed costs or Indirect costs

SS = Subsidies

SC = Social costs

EC = Environmental costs

Vuchic, “Transportation for Livable Cities,” p.236

Many drivers think about only their “out-of-pocket” costs. Due to this low out-of-pocket cost combined with convenience once they have a car they use it frequently. This attitude contributes to the nation’s dependency to oil.

In small to medium cities, this is typical. Even in large cities, this happens if employers subsidize parking costs.

Think about BYU’s free parking policy.Check Example 13.1.

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Congestion pricing example: Congestion pricing example: SingaporeSingapore

Began in 1975, using Began in 1975, using stickersstickers

Applied only to AM Applied only to AM rush hour, entering rush hour, entering CBDCBD

Result was 40% Result was 40% reduction in AM trafficreduction in AM traffic

Replaced in 1998 with Replaced in 1998 with comprehensive comprehensive electronic pricing electronic pricing systemsystem

ERP = Electronic Road Pricing

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Congestion pricing example: Congestion pricing example: LondonLondon

Began Feb. 2003, Began Feb. 2003, CBD (8 sq. mi.) onlyCBD (8 sq. mi.) only

Applies 7 AM to 6:30 Applies 7 AM to 6:30 PM, weekdays onlyPM, weekdays only

Initial result: 20% Initial result: 20% fewer carsfewer cars

Revenues to be Revenues to be used to improve used to improve transit.transit.

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Transportation & EnergyTransportation & Energy

I bet you do not know I bet you do not know the oil crisis in the early 70’s of the last century. It was the . It was the time when even toilet tissues began to disappear in stores.time when even toilet tissues began to disappear in stores.

It was the time when the 55 mph national freeway speed It was the time when the 55 mph national freeway speed limit was enacted.limit was enacted.

It was the time when Japanese cars began to sell more than It was the time when Japanese cars began to sell more than American cars – smaller and better gas mileage, and safer.American cars – smaller and better gas mileage, and safer.

Revealed the vulnerability of depending on foreign oilRevealed the vulnerability of depending on foreign oil

But many people forgot the crisis. Or, those who were born But many people forgot the crisis. Or, those who were born after that do not know how serious it was.after that do not know how serious it was.

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Oil use in the USOil use in the US

Transportation sector consumes a lot of oil.Transportation sector consumes a lot of oil. We are becoming more dependent on foreign oil.We are becoming more dependent on foreign oil. See a large increase in oil use in the transportation sector See a large increase in oil use in the transportation sector

and a large decrease in residential, commercial and and a large decrease in residential, commercial and electric utilities sectors in the table below.electric utilities sectors in the table below.

Oil consumption in N. America

One barrel = 42 gallons

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We are really dependent on foreign oil.We are really dependent on foreign oil.

See a large increase in the oil import in See a large increase in the oil import in the table below. Are we “spending” more the table below. Are we “spending” more than our means?than our means?

1.62 9.82

13.26/8.0510.9/19.65

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Which mode gobbles up most!Which mode gobbles up most!

BTU = British Thermal Units

Quads = quadrillion BTU (1.0 x 1015 BTU)

Total = 13.467 MBPD

It is obvious that we have to do something with highway modes if we want to reduce oil consumption, especially automobiles and light trucks (like SUV, vans, pickups).

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Environmental IssuesEnvironmental Issues Air pollution and noise pollution are the major Air pollution and noise pollution are the major

problems. (Water pollution should not be neglected. problems. (Water pollution should not be neglected. Runoff from pavement surface contains pollutants Runoff from pavement surface contains pollutants like oil, rubber, etc.)like oil, rubber, etc.)

Cars and trucks on congested roads pollute

CO increases as peed increases

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ITSITS• Advanced Traffic Advanced Traffic

Management Systems Management Systems (ATMS)(ATMS)

• Advanced Public Advanced Public Transportation Systems Transportation Systems (APTS)(APTS)

• Advanced Vehicle Control Advanced Vehicle Control Systems (AVCS)Systems (AVCS)

• Advanced Traveler Advanced Traveler Information Systems Information Systems (ATIS)(ATIS)

• Commercial Vehicle Commercial Vehicle Operation Systems (CVO)Operation Systems (CVO)

Technology Impacts SustainabilityTechnology Impacts Sustainability

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Automated Highway? Or Smart Cars?Automated Highway? Or Smart Cars? The automated cars on the The automated cars on the

right are traveling at right are traveling at highway speeds on a high-highway speeds on a high-occupancy vehicle lane in occupancy vehicle lane in San Diego during a San Diego during a demonstration of vehicle demonstration of vehicle automation. Magnets in automation. Magnets in the road keep the cars in the road keep the cars in the center of the lane and the center of the lane and communications between communications between vehicles keep them vehicles keep them properly spaced.properly spaced. – – California California PATH.PATH.

Technologically feasible, but most likely this will not happen for various reasons.

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Advancement in Automotive Technology

Improvements in Improvements in automotive automotive technology may technology may not reduce the not reduce the number of number of vehicles on the vehicles on the road, but they road, but they can reduce can reduce environmental environmental pollutionspollutions Hybrid (gas + electricity) vehicles (HEV)

Bus powered by LNGHydrogen-powered vehicles