Transport Energy Descent Plan – Steve Melia

This Workshop: 1.Presentation 1: the Problem 2.Questions/Comments 3.Discussion: Forming a T.T. Transport Contact Group 4.Presentation 2: Some Solutions (Oxford example) 5.Discussion in Groups

A difficult problem for transition towns – limited scope for individual action The nature of the problem: Transport & Transition Towns

UK CO 2 by END USER 2006 Source: %

UK CO 2 Trends (1990 =100) Transport Other Sectors

UK CO 2 from Transport Source: Carbon Pathways Analysis (DfT 2008) *No allowance for radiative forcing

Aviation 1 flight to New York = average car use for 1 year ( Long-term trends The ‘Because I Deserve it’ problem amongst ‘green’ middle classes

Passenger Travel (billions km) Cars & Vans Others Source: DfT Transport Trends

Why Technology Won’t Solve the Problem…

Longer Trips are Biggest Problem: Source: Carbon Pathways Analysis (DfT 2008)

So Are Walking & Cycling Irrelevant?

To replace half current car mileage buses would need 10 x increase Source: Transport Trends (DfT 2007)

► To reduce CO 2 from transport we must reduce travel distances Source: Transport Trends (DfT 2007)

What is the Most Significant Factor Associated with Car Use?

Source: The Car in British Society (RAC Foundation 2009) Avg Mileage per Person per Year 10,000 No Car1 Car 2 Cars+ 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 Other Driver Passenger

Source: Echenique & Homewood (2003) Avg. Annual Miles/Person

1.Questions/ Comments on The Problem 2.What Might a Transport Contact Group for Transition Towns do? Discussion:

Report for Sustrans and Transition Town Oxford How to reduce car dependence, energy consumption, CO 2 emissions Short and Longer-Terms 2) Some Solutions…

Oxford Modal Share (trip stages) Source: Access to Oxford Survey (2008)

Problem: too many buses Air quality limits exceeded

Transform Oxford

Report Approach 1.Reduce convenience of the car 2.Give advantage to other modes 3.Improve conditions for walking and cycling 4.Tackle ‘the bus problem’ 5.Support lower car ownership

Filtered Permeability Separates modes to give the advantage to cyclists & public transport

Groningen, pop. 180,000: 60% of trips by bicycle

‘coarse grain’ network of roads for cars

Groningen – ‘coarse grain’ network of roads for cars Groningen – fine grain cycling network

Some Examples in Oxford Already

Magdalen Bridge – Close to general traffic

Conventional Wisdom in Britain: Manual for Streets (DfT, 2007) Connected or ‘permeable’ networks encourage walking and cycling…. This Statement is Misleading!

Solution to the Bus Problem

Trams in Pedestrianised Areas Freiburg

Strongly weighted towards buses Up to 90% of bus-based schemes, only 75% of tram/rail schemes Is Oxford too small? (conurbation pop. 174,000) Government Policy

Mulhouse. Popn. 172,000. New Tram system 2006: €249m

New Generation Ultra Light Rail Bristol (trial finished)Stourbridge (began March) Power on board Cheaper than conventional trams ( See: )

Intensification, particularly around city centres Transport serving new developments Carfree development Planning Principles

Traffic-free residential area Designed around travel by other modes (inc. car clubs) Limited parking, separated from residential area 3 models across Europe: Carfree Development

Vauban (Freiburg) 2,000 dwellings

Vehicles walking pace pick up/deliver No parking (some infractions) Absolute priority for children playing

Stellwerk 60, Cologne: 400 dwellings. No vehicles on site

Groningen City Centre: Popn. 16,500

Groningen City Centre 1 km

Princesshay, Exeter 120 apartments 23 parking places No vehicular access

Carfree Association for London: Public Meetings in September

Click on: Research Papers

1.How can your Transition Town reduce transport energy dependency in your town? 2.ONE STEP you intend to take Group Discussion: