Definitions

Sustainable transport, integrated transport, active transport - what are they?

Sustainable transport

Sustainable transport has been defined as

……. transportation that does not endanger public health or ecosystems and meets the needs for access consistent with sustainable use of renewable resources at below their rates of regeneration, and use of non-renewable resources at below the rates of development of renewable solutions (OECD, 1999) from Hans Westerman, ARRB conference, Dec. 2002

Or put more simply

Sustainable transport implies transport systems that meet the mobility needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

In more practical terms, sustainable transport is often used to refer to the lower impact modes of walking, cycling and public transport.

These definitions imply a balance between resources consumed and emissions according to renewal and absorption capacities. While this may not be fully achievable, it provides a target as a guide to progressively reorient our transport systems and gradually seeking to close the gap between resources consumed and resources renewed or replaced.

More sustainable transport systems would also contribute to the broader societal goals of sustainable human settlement patterns.

Integrated transport

Integrated transport is a mechanism by which societies can reorient transport planning systems into more sustainable patterns.

Transport is too closely linked to many other society processes (settlement patterns) and community outcomes (health, access) to be considered in isolation. Integrated transport acknowledges and reinforces the connection of transport infrastructure and investment to broader society goals of sustainability, liveability, health and community well-being.

Following are some definitions from current literature:

Integrated transport can be described as a transport system where the many components are coordinated and work together to maximise community mobility outcomes while minimising financial, human and environmental costs of provision.

Integrated transport planning is a process to identify current and future access needs - for people, places, goods and services - and inform decision makes on ways to manage the transport system and land use to best address these needs,. It aims to do this in a way that sustains economic growth, conserves the environment and supports the quality of life of current and future generations. (Queensland Integrated Transport Planning Framework)

Integrated transport strategy ………to plan, facilitate and implement a transport system committed to environmental sustainability, quality urban form and enhanced public amenity. We need to ensure that the most convenient, and therefore the most used, transport mode is also the best for the environment, community and economy. (Maribyrnong ITS)

See integration for more about integrated transport.

Active Transport

Active transport is defined as physical activity undertaken as a means of transport. Rather than a focus on recreational modes of transport, for example cycling for sport, active transport activities focuses on travel to and from a destination. Through the promotion of modal shifts from motorised to active transport modes health and greenhouse benefits can be realised. (ICLEI, Sustainable Transport Project)

Walking, cycling, public transport, skateboard, roller blade are all means of getting about which require physical activity.

Diseases of inactivity and the national concern for obesity have focused attention on the reduced activity of current lifestyles.

At present, walking and cycling are often regarded as largely recreational pursuits. Walking and cycling are two modes of transport that fall within local governments' sphere of influence. By encouraging transport modes of walking and cycling local governments can simultaneously

• improve community health and well-being by incorporating activity into day to day behaviour patterns
• reduce greenhouse emissions by providing more attractive choices for non motorized transport modes.

Public transport usually requires a walking trip (often of longer duration than the public transport ride itself!) and also qualifies as an active transport mode.

Community health is one of the many benefits that accrue to using active and sustainable transport. Unfortunately these benefits don't always show on the balance sheet unless triple bottom line reporting and evaluation is in place.