Sustainable Transport Policy Research Articles

A Study on Social Approval for Sustainable Transport and Urban Planning Policies

A Study on Social Approval for Sustainable Transport and Urban Planning Policies

The Impact of Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction on Reuse Intention in Urban Rail Transit in Tianjin, China

As considered one of the most important sustainable transportation, the development of urban rail transit has been thriving over the last decade, especially in the densely populated cities. Using an accurate measurement tool to find out the shortage factors in the rail transit service is the vital prerequisite for improving the services, increasing ridership, and implementing the sustainable transport policy. The purpose of the study is to use structural equation model (SEM) to assess the important dimensions of service quality and customer satisfaction on rail transit passengers’ reuse intention. Data are collected from a questionnaire survey and an empirical study is conducted by using SEM to test the hypotheses, as well as the structural relationships among these factors. The results of the empirical study confirmed that service quality can be conceptualized as functional service quality, technical service quality, comfort and cleanness, and service planning and reliability. And it has positive effect on reuse intention by enhancing customer satisfaction, as customer satisfaction has intermediary effect on passengers’ repurchase intention. This study contributes to transport agencies for analyzing the relationship between service quality attributes and passengers’ reuse intention for improving the supplied service, increasing the ridership, and implementing the sustainable transport policy.

Quantifying road traffic emissions embedded in a multi-objective traffic assignment model

In a road network, drivers typically seek to minimize their own travel time, often affecting system-wide performance. With the increasing environmental awareness, for an efficient traffic assignment (TA), besides concerns with travel times, traffic managers should not neglect the system-wide level of both global and local pollutant emissions. Measuring road traffic emissions can be costly and different models based on vehicle-specific parameters with many input variables have been suggested in the literature. This paper proposes a simple way to quantifying carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions with only average speed as input variable and presents a multi-objective TA approach that seeks to minimize system-wide travel time, distance travelled (associated with fuel consumption) and global and local pollutant emissions. A real-world case study on an intercity corridor with many alternative routes between two zones is presented. Experiments considering TA based on travel time, and on time, distance travelled, and pollutant emissions are reported. Results highlight that system optimal distribution based on the suggested multi-objective TA based on three components yields savings in terms of distance travelled (2.6%) and emissions (1.3% for CO2 and 1.1% for NOX), but penalizes travel time 3%, which is translated in an increase of 20sec per vehicle, when compared to the solution only focused on minimizing travel time. The developed methodology is a suitable tool for traffic analysts to predict vehicle system-wide travel time, distance travelled and pollutant emissions with few vehicle information but with a reasonable detail for a specific traffic flow on a given road network, to support analyses for sustainable transport policies and may be used, for instance, as an environmental impact component of a pricing scheme, traffic signal control strategies based on emissions reduction, or to minimize congestion by giving prior information to drivers on the specific routes to be chosen.

Application of Sustainable Transport Policies in Areas of High Frequent Density Campus of Jadiriya

This research investigates and discusses theimplementation ofthe master plan for transport and parking at the campus of University of Baghdad in 2017. Although the master plan emphasizes on economic benefits and revenue, it is benefit of environmental sustainability. Thus, there is a need to effectively implement the master plan and provide new proposals on sustainable transportation to reduce the number of private car parking spaces. The work began by analyzing the earlier designed general parking outline in university’s master plan to determineif it meetsthe requirements of buildings after successive implementation. The success or failure of the master plan in relation to reduction in the demand for parking was also assessed. A statistical model was developed to represent the relationship between the area of roads required and the number of cars in parking, and the group of independent factors that are believed to have an impact on these numbers as well as to forecast future needs as regards parking spaces. The distribution of parking cars was found not be neither environmentally sustainable nor socially justifiable, given the clear variation in access time on foot from the nearest parking lot to the workplace. Nonetheless, the over 23% of non-users of vehicles on campus can contribute to the actualization of the concept of sustainable transport (walking). Therefore, this study recommends the preparation and implementation of detailed designs of sustainable transport and parking programs to reduce the planning, environmental, social and economic problems that exist in the master plan of the university campus.

Developing a sustainable urban transport policy in the & eld of supply in the face of the latest challenges

Transport of urban goods has a signifi cant impact on the lives of residents and the functioning of the local economy. At the same time, it creates numerous problems related to the impact on the environment and the surroundings. Thus, the distribution of goods in the city has a signifi cant impact on the lives of residents and tourists' impressions. Due to the fact that 25 percent EU emissions from transport come from urban areas, cities play a key role in mitigating the negative eff ects of transport. Many cities are currently implementing Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) that focus on people's mobility. In most cases, the distribution of goods is not mentioned in the SUMP or is mentioned briefl y. In the absence of clear guidelines for resolving urban transport issues, some cities have adopted various strategic documents and measures. In the absence of standardization of documents, it is diffi cult to compare them and determine the level of city advancement in the implementation of urban logistics measures. To overcome this problem, the EC initiated the concept of Sustainable Urban Logistics Plan (SULP). The article presents the structure and plan of implementing SULP.

Pedestrians’ Non-Compliance with Road Safety Regulations in Dhaka City

Since the Dhaka City's population is increasing, there is an urgency for sustainable transport policy forDhaka to retain and expand the modal share of walking trips, which share the bulk of all short tripsmade. However, pedestrian facilities are perhaps the most neglected and unattended ones in transportplanning of Dhaka city. Day by day, the rate of fatality is increasing in an unabated manner. If the ratehas to be controlled, it is imperative to know the various factors which result in the violation of trafficregulations by the pedestrians. This paper aims to know the various underlying reasons behind thepedestrians' non-compliance with the road safety regulations using both qualitative and quantitative toolsof social research. The findings of the study suggest that the existing road crossing facilities (overpass,zebra crossing) are inadequate as per demand. Poor monitoring and maintenance of the overpasses havemade them a hub for hawkers, beggars, addicts which demotivates the pedestrians in using them. Failureto provide and maintain road signs and markings, lack of education of road users, poor enforcement oftraffic regulations etc. are some of the other factors which result to traffic rules violation by thepedestrians. The study provides a modest suggestion to the government that they should think of givingroad safety issue a priority in the policy agenda. Moreover, necessary steps should be taken to increasethe current road crossing facilities along with the formation of a watchdog body that will monitor theviolations from time to time. Lastly, mass awareness building programs have to be initiated for educatingboth the pedestrians and the drivers regarding the road safety regulations.

Kentsel Ulaşımda Özel Araç Odaklı Düzenlemelere Eleştirel Bir Bakış

Özellikle 1980li yıllarda çevre bilincinin artması ve var olan kaynakların azalması gibi nedenler sınırlı bir ortam içinde sınırsız bir gelişmenin olamayacağı farkındalığını oluşturmuştur. Bu bağlamda ortaya çıkan "sürdürülebilir gelişme" kavramı birçok alanda olduğu gibi ulaşım politikalarında da kendini göstermiştir. Genel olarak "sürdürülebilir bir ulaşım" insan ve ekosistem sağlığını, ekonomik gelişmeyi ve sosyal adaleti koruyup geliştirmek koşulu ile hem günümüz hem gelecek için hareketlilik ihtiyacının karşılanması olarak tanımlanmaktadır. Sürdürülebilir kent içi ulaşım kavramı ise temelde toplumun tüm bireylerine eşit erişim imkânı sunan, toplu taşımayı ve motorsuz ulaşım alternatiflerini ön planda tutan, diğer ulaşım türleri(modları) ile entegrasyonunu sağlayan kapsamlı bir ulaşım sistemidir. Günümüzde hem gelişmiş hem de Türkiye gibi gelişmekte olan ülkelerde sürdürülebilir ulaşım sistemleri oluşturulması hususunda çabalar gösterilmekte ve çeşitli politikalar uygulanmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, Van kent merkezi iş alanında (MİA) ilgili yerel yönetimin ilgili birimi olan Ulaşım ve Koordinasyon Merkezi tarafından mevcut trafik yoğunluğunu azaltmak amacı ile parkomat uygulaması ve kent merkezinin iki ana caddelerinden biri olan Cumhuriyet Caddesi’nin bir kısmının toplu taşım güzergâhı kapsamından çıkarılması ele alınmaktadır. Buradan hareketle çalışmada, yerel yönetimin bu düzenlemeleri sürdürülebilir ulaşım politikaları bağlamında mevzuat ve mekânsal açısından tartışılmaktadır.

Investigating the Link between Transport Sustainability and the Representation of Women in Swedish Local Committees

There are large discrepancies in the transport sector along gender lines in travel patterns and means of transportation used, but also in attitudes and norms among citizens, planners and decision-makers, with women generally more positive towards measures involving the lowering CO2 emissions. At the same time, the number of women involved in transport-related decisions is low. This is a problem for gender equality but possibly also for sustainability. A careful review of previous studies indicated a lack of analyses on the subject based on quantitative data at the local level. We investigated a possible link between women’s presence in local policymaking and more sustainable transport policies, and whether it is possible to capture such an effect. The main contribution of this paper is a methodological approach in which, besides generating unique data on representation in municipalities (confirming men’s dominance, specifically in transport policymaking), possibilities for quantitatively measuring gender and the level of sustainability in transport planning are discussed and tested. Challenges in collecting relevant data and analyzing possible covariances in the data set are discussed and presented as well as suggestions for further investigations into the possible link between gender and sustainable transport performance.

Low-Carbon Quick Wins: Integrating Short-Term Sustainable Transport Options in Climate Policy in Low-Income Countries

In low income countries (LICs) in Africa and Asia per capita transport greenhouse gas emissions are relatively low but are expected to grow. Therefore, a substantial reduction in projected increases is required to bring emissions in line with long-term global climate objectives. Literature on how LICs are integrating climate change mitigation and sustainable transport strategies is limited. Key drivers of transport policy include improving accessibility, congestion, air quality, energy security, with reducing greenhouse gas emissions being of lower priority. This paper assesses the current status, feasibility and potential of selected low-carbon transport measures with high sustainable development benefits that can be implemented in the short to medium term, so- called ‘quick wins’. It examines to what extent ten such quick wins are integrated in climate change strategies in nine low- and middle-income countries in Africa and South Asia. The research method comprises expert interviews, an online questionnaire survey of experts and policymakers in the focus countries, and a review of literature and government plans. Results indicate that sustainable urban transport policies and measures are considered high priority, with vehicle-related measures such as fuel quality and fuel economy standards and electric two- and three-wheelers being of key relevance. In existing national climate change strategies, these quick wins are integrated to a certain extent; however, with better coordination between transport and energy and environment agencies such strategies can be improved. A general conclusion of this paper is that for LICs, quick wins can connect a ‘top-down’ climate perspective with a ‘bottom-up’ transport sector perspective. A knowledge gap exists as to the mitigation potential and sustainable development benefits of these quick wins in the local context of LICs.

УСТОЙЧИВАЯ ТРАНСПОРТНАЯ ПОЛИТИКА

In the article "Sustainable Transport Policy", provided information about the transport policy implemented in the Republic of Azerbaijan, especially in Baku city after gaining independence. The problems in the transport system and ways of solving the problems, as well as mutual relations with international organizations are discussed. The impact of road transport on ecology is investigated and relevant recommendations are given to reduce the negative impact on the environment.

High-tech business location, transportation accessibility, and implications for sustainability: Evaluating the differences between high-tech specializations using empirical evidence from U.S. booming regions

Studies on the accessibility needs of high-tech firms often draw on agglomeration economies and creative class assumptions that emphasizes how transit and walkability encourage clustering, knowledge exchange and innovation. As a result, some argue that knowledge-led economic development aligns with sustainability planning, especially as high-tech industries become increasingly tied to smart city agendas. However, due to the new logistic revolution, global e-economy, rise of online workers and urban land values, it is likely that some tech industries prefer strong highway systems, potentially leading to higher GHG emissions. As such, the relationship between the knowledge economy and sustainability outcomes remains unclear. This study addresses these gaps by quantifying the geography of high-tech zones in North Texas and Northern California, measuring their specializations, and exploring their differences in terms of transportation infrastructures. Our results only partially support research suggesting high-tech industries prefer dense, walkable, transit-accessible places. For instance, we found large numbers of high-tech firms (e.g. IT and aerospace) are still attracted to peripheral, auto-centric spaces, which is at odds with sustainable transportation policies. Hence, policymakers may need to revisit their growth strategies to not only succeed in growing their knowledge economy, but also secure sustainability goals.

The impacts of residential relocation on commute habits: A qualitative perspective on households’ mobility behaviors and strategies

Travel-behavior researchers have generally acknowledged the important role of life events in disruption of habits and increasing individuals’ tendency to re-evaluate their travel behavior. Research in this area is dominated by the use of quantitative research methods, leading to a gap in understanding of the complexity of subjective factors such as habit strength and the reasons underlying resistance to change. In this study, with a retrospective and qualitative approach, 20 individuals who have relocated their home recently are questioned about factors which affected their commute mode choice before and after the relocation. First, participants were categorized based on the commute mode they used before the relocation to assess habit strengths across modes. Second, participants were presented with a set of green-transport-encouraging policies and evaluated on the extent to which they were willing to adopt these policies based on their habit strength. Accordingly, different typologies of individuals were identified. The levels of travel habit strength were found to be directly related to the willingness to change; strong habits, whether good or bad, are unlikely to change even in the wake of a major life event. By focusing on the habit formation and decay during the period of relocation, this study evaluates travel-related decision-making as a process in an effort to understand how and when sustainable-transportation policies should be promoted for different types of individuals in situations where attentiveness for alternative travel modes is increased. This study on residential relocation informs considerations of changes in travel behavior related to other contextual changes.

How sustainable is electric mobility? A comprehensive sustainability assessment approach for the case of Qatar

Electric mobility is a trending topic around the world, and many countries are supporting electric vehicle technologies to reduce environmental impacts from transportation such as greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution in cities. While such environmental impacts are widely studied in the literature, there is not much emphasis on a comprehensive sustainability assessment of these vehicle technologies, encompassing the three pillars of sustainability as the environment, society, and economy. In this study, we presented a novel comprehensive life cycle sustainability assessment for four different support utility electric vehicle technologies, including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and full battery electric vehicles. A hybrid multi-regional input-output based life cycle sustainability assessment model is developed to quantify fourteen sustainability indicators representing the three pillars of sustainability. As a case study, we studied the impacts for Qatar, a country where 100% of electricity generation is from natural gas and have a very unique supply-chain, mainly due to a wide range of exported products and services. The analysis results showed that all-electric vehicle types have significant potential to lower global warming potential, air pollution, and photochemical oxidant formation. A great majority (above 90%) of the emissions occurs within the region boundaries of Qatar. In the social indicators, internal combustion vehicles performed better than all other electric vehicles in terms of employment generation, compensation of employees, and taxes. The results highlighted that adoption of electric vehicle alternatives doesn't favor macro-economic indicators and they have slightly less for a life-cycle cost. The proposed assessment methodology can be useful for a comprehensive regionalized life cycle sustainability assessment of alternative vehicle technologies and developing regionalized sustainable transportation policies worldwide.

Comparison of marginal and average emission factors for passenger transportation modes

Comparisons of the energy and emission intensity of transportation modes are standard features of sustainable transportation research, policy, and advocacy. These comparisons are typically based on average energy and emission factors per passenger trip or per passenger-kilometer traveled. However, as acknowledged in the energy production sector, comparing average emission factors can misinform policy and other decisions because it fails to represent the marginal impact of changing demand. The objective of this paper is to quantify the difference between average and marginal energy and emission factors for passenger transportation modes. Transportation system operations data are used to estimate energy and emission factors per passenger-kilometer traveled for U.S. urban and intercity travel. Marginal emission factors range from 30% (intercity rail) to 90% (private vehicles) of average factors. For urban travel, private vehicles and public transit have similar average emission factors, but marginal factors are 50% lower for transit. The average emission factor for intercity rail is 10% lower than air travel and 30% lower than private vehicles, but the marginal factor is 60% and 80% lower, respectively. Using average energy and emission factors to represent the impacts of travel by different modes is biased against public transit and discounts the benefits of shifting travel away from private passenger vehicles.

A Method for the Evaluation of Urban Freight Transport Models as a Tool for Improving the Delivery of Sustainable Urban Transport Policy

The article presents a method which helps local authorities to evaluate urban freight transport models. Given the complex requirements for input data and the inability to supply them for most cities, a proper quantitative evaluation of model functionality may be quite difficult for local authorities. Freight transport models designed to support sustainable urban freight transport objectives are a particular example. To overcome these difficulties, the structure of the method is based on a qualitative analysis of strategic and operational conditions of urban freight management for modelling purposes. A consistent set of criteria is developed to help with parameterising strategic objectives and the analytical requirements of tools to achieve those objectives. The problems of data availability and capture are also included. The method consists of three tiers that are arranged hierarchically to reflect the interrelations. The proposed method was verified against Gdynia’s (Poland) urban freight management requirements. The city was chosen for its early experience of urban freight studies and improvement measures and because it has already defined its strategic objectives. Two comprehensive freight transport models (Freturb and Wiver) and existing city’s transport model were evaluated. The results have ruled out the existing transport model rendering it ineffective as a tool to support urban freight management to meet the city’s strategic objectives. While Freturb turned out to be much better suited for the needs, dedicated models still face a basic barrier of cities having to redesign their systems for collecting urban transport data.

Changes in the Transport Capacity of Polish Inland Waterways Against the Background of European Waterway Use for Transport

Lower environmental impact of inland waterway transport causes its development to be high on the agenda of the sustainable transport policy. In the above context, the purpose of this article is to discuss the transport function of Polish inland waterways against the background of how primary European inland waterway systems are used. The desk research method was used to analyse waterway use, involving review and consolidation of statistics from various sources capturing freight transport on the primary inland waterways in Europe. Research has shown that inland waterways in Western Europe, regardless of the decline in freight transport in 2009, continue to be important for transport, and their performance may even be higher than that of the infrastructure used for other modes of transport. The transport function of inland waterways in Poland is fading as a consequence of the failure to perform multipurpose waterway management. The above is inconsistent with sustainable transport development priorities adopted by the EU.

Germany and Climate Protection: From Model Pupil to Laggard—Why Coal Phasing Out Makes Economic and Ecological Sense

AbstractGermany has gone from being a pioneer to a laggard when it comes to climate protection. The proportion of Germany's most polluting energy source, lignite, is higher than ever before. Renewable energies are being thwarted. There is no sustainable transport policy that focuses on traffic avoidance, relocation, and electrification as well as environmental, climate, and health protection—not even after the diesel scandal. The climate protection targets that are set are missed. A clever energy transition is different. Germany will only be able to regain its credibility as a climate protection world champion if the phase‐out of coal is initiated today and completed in a decade, a sustainable transition in transport is initiated and the entire energy system is converted to renewable energies. This creates enormous economic opportunities for a long overdue modernization of the German economy.

An integrated approach based on system dynamics and ANP for evaluating sustainable transportation policies

ABSTRACTTransportation systems are growing and complex systems. The presence of multiple, correlated, dynamically changing elements in this system with dependence and feedback add further complexity to the problem. In this paper, we present an integrated approach based on system dynamics (SD) simulation and analytic network process (ANP) for evaluating sustainable transport policies. Five policies namely trip sharing (TRS), trip rate reduction (TRR), reducing the length of the road network (LRN), car ownership (CAO), and average kilometres travelled (AKT) are evaluated against three criteria namely congestion level (CONG), fuel consumption (FULC), and emission (EMIS). The data for the policies is generated via system dynamics simulation. ANP is used to rank the evaluation criteria and the alternatives (sustainable transportation policies). A numerical study is provided. The results of our study reveal that trip sharing based policies perform better in comparison to the other policies for achieving sustainability in a transportation system.

Inland Shipping to Serve the Hinterland: The Challenge for Seaport Authorities

The competitiveness of seaports is predominantly affected by factors external to the ports themselves, connected mainly with the quality of the hinterland and foreland infrastructure. Measures taken in these areas are reflected in the main objectives of the port strategies. Concurrently, the measures may have adverse environmental impacts (pollutant emissions, noise, land occupancy, etc.) and deteriorate the life quality of the port city’s communities. Therefore, measures taken by seaport authorities to improve their competitiveness must also heed the idea of sustainable development (sustainable port strategy). The answer to this challenge is the idea of green ports, being an element of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies of seaports. One of the elements of this concept is promoting more environmentally friendly transport modes/transport chains in serving the hinterland as an alternative to road transport. Inland shipping is the most environmentally friendly and also cost-competitive mode of transport. Therefore, a modal shift from road to inland waterways is one of the elements of the European Union sustainable transport policy, as well as also gaining importance in the development policies of seaport authorities as an element of a green port strategy. However, this issue has been relatively rarely addressed in the seaport economics literature. In particular, there has been a lack of studies that would make it possible to answer the question of what kind of action should be taken by seaport authorities in order to increase the share of inland shipping in hinterland transport. This article aimed to develop a concept of a promotion policy to be applied by seaport authorities to increase the share of inland shipping in hinterland transport. The study used the elements of a multiple case study design method which included the following seaports: Antwerp, Rotterdam, Hamburg, and the Marseilles–Fos port complex. This article was dedicated to identifying, analyzing, and classifying the policies implemented by these European seaports to promote inland waterway transportation. The research showed that these actions were quite similar in terms of their scope. The actions were classified as external and internal initiatives. The most common external actions included initiatives that improved the quality of inland waterways and the quality of shipping connections with the hinterland. Internal initiatives focused on improving the port’s infrastructure for barges and on implementing an appropriate information policy. The presented concept of a promotion policy can be a road map for all port authorities aiming to improve the quality of inland shipping as a mode of hinterland transport.

Congested Urban Areas with High Interactions Between Vehicular and Pedestrian Flows: A Cost-Benefit Analysis for a Sustainable Transport Policy in Naples, Italy

Introduction/Methods:A significant application of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan of Naples, in southern Italy, will be described with specific reference to design a sustainable transport scenario for one of the highest density and congested area of the city: Municipio square, in the centre of Naples, where the homonymous station of the Metro Line 1 was under construction. The particularity of this case study is that Municipio Square is a high dense population area characterized by multimodal traffic flows (vehicles and pedestrians) and a thousand of travellers who embark/disembark every day from the marina to the islands of the Naples Gulf (e.g.Capri, Ischia) and cruises around the Mediterranean Sea. Thousands of vehicles and people pass through the square every day, often slowing the vehicular flows.Starting from these considerations, a multi-scale modelling architecture (estimatedad-hocfor the specific case study) was proposed to better evaluate policy impacts (e.g., transport, social, environmental), applying both macroscopic and microscopic simulation models simultaneously to design a sustainable transport scenario in term of both geometrical and traffic solutions.Results:Six different design scenario were compared and the main results of the most significant one are described and discussed. The best project solution reduces the average travel time and the long queues thanks to a better distribution of the flows (both vehicles and pedestrians) in the broader area around of Municipio square. The simulation results also underlined the benefits for pedestrians related to the presence of different size of sidewalks and paths.Conclusion:Because of the realization of the new metro station will increase the pedestrian flows, the external layout of the square was designed, regarding infrastructures and paths, to minimize the conflicts and reduce the overall travel time. The proposed sustainable transport scenario was conceived in term of best geometrical devices and traffic solutions.Finally, a cost-benefit analysis was also proposed, according to the European guidelines, aiming in improving transport, urbanistic, artistic/cultural, aesthetic, economic and environmental aspects as well as liveability for citizens, transport users (public and private) and tourists.