Reducing Car Use in Canberra: A Holistic Policy Approach

Abstract

Reducing car use allows cities to lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve population health and social welfare. Car use can be made less attractive by making driving less convenient, making other modes of transport more convenient, and by nudging people into reconsidering their habits where driving has become impractical. A mixture of all three options is optimal, and most effective with people who are open to changing their behaviour. With transport playing a complex role in everyday life, a holistic approach to its use is essential. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government has sound aims regarding sustainable transport, but its Transport for Canberra: Transport for a sustainable city 2012–2031 report published in 2012 contains some contradictions and inefficiencies in the effort to shift Canberra’s population away from driving as a default travel mode. The lack of evidence-based public transport plans and behaviour change programs will weaken Canberra’s efforts, and the failure to reduce road supply will oppose them. The ACT Government has failed to fully seize the opportunity to reduce car use and hence improve population health and social welfare.