A resource for teaching and learning about consuming planet earth

D
SECTION D
Smarter transport options
Aims and overviews
In this unit students will evaluate the sustainability of different modes of transport in their
community by comparing costs, efficiency, and atmospheric emissions. They will also evaluate
the relationship between personal life style and transport choices.
Key concepts
Fossil fuel dependency, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, sustainable transport.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the unit students should be able to:
– assess the costs, energy use and energy efficiency of different modes of transport
– assess the contribution of different modes of transport to air pollution and greenhouse
gas emissions
– evaluate the relationship between life style choices, transport, and the impact on the environment
– retrieve and accurately interpret information from maps and transport timetables, and plan journeys.
Background information
Few purchases by consumers have a bigger impact on the environment than the choice of a car and
there are many sustainability issues linked to transport such as: air pollution, energy consumption,
greenhouse emissions, and land use for roads and parking. Almost half of Melbourne’s daily air
pollution, for example, is caused by vehicle emissions. Poor quality or polluted air can affect people’s
physical health and quality of life. EPA air quality studies have shown that commuters are exposed
to higher levels of pollution when travelling in cars within a city, than those travelling on public
transport, cycling or walking. These issues are of growing concern given the increasing popularity of
larger cars such as 4 wheel drives. Alternative methods of travel have many benefits – they can be less
stressful, with fewer instances of traffic jams, accidents and parking predicaments.
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) has defined sustainable
transportation as ‘the ability to meet the needs of society to move freely, gain access, communicate,
trade, and establish relationships without sacrificing other essential human or ecological values today
or in the future.’
In a report developed for it by 12 global automotive and energy companies, entitled Mobility 2030:
Meeting the Challenges to Sustainability, and published in July 2004, the WBCSD stated that, if
current mobility trends were to continue, social, economic and environmental costs worldwide
would be unacceptably high. However, these costs can be avoided if societies as a whole focus
on the achievement of seven goals.
1. Ensuring conventional emissions from transport are not a significant health concern anywhere.
2. Limiting greenhouse gas emissions from transport to sustainable levels.
3. Significantly reducing traffic-related deaths and serious injuries worldwide.
4. Reducing transport-related noise.
5. Mitigating traffic congestion.
6. Narrowing the divide in mobility opportunities that exists between and within different
societies and regions of the world.
7. Preserving and improving existing mobility opportunities.
Car manufacturers are developing engines that are more efficient and less polluting and also
investigating new types of cars such as hydrogen and electrical vehicles. Hybrid cars, with additional
electric motors, improve fuel efficiency and reduce exhaust emissions. These cars are becoming
increasingly popular with Australian consumers.
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