CHAPTER 7 TRANSPORT PLANNING AND THE ENVIRONMENT

STUDY OBJECTIVES Define the concept of the environment Explain the interaction between a project and the environment Understand the nature of the impacts on the environment Have insight into the role of environmental impact analysis

Outline the various strategies which can be employed to deal with the impacts on the environment Discuss environmental legislation and the implications thereof for transportation Discuss transport and energy Explain the links between transport and energy and the environment STUDY OBJECTIVES cont’

7.1 TRANSPORTATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT INTRODUCTION Organisations can no longer afford to make long-term plans or decisions without considering the environment. Each transportation mode alters the environment in some way, whether through pollution, energy use, or aesthetics.

Modifications of the environment may meet human needs but are often detrimental to the long-term equilibrium of the physical and biotic environment. This is the fundamental conflict which society has to re-assess, the so-called development versus conservation conflict.

Man’s influence on his surroundings began to change significantly when he moved from survival mode to one where he could further exploit natural resources to improve his comfort and well-being.

7.1.3 THE INTERACTION BETWEEN A PROJECT AND THE ENVIRONMENT Five major types of impact can be identified when the effects that certain developments have on the environment are to be described and assessed. These are: (i) direct impacts; (ii) primary impacts; (ii) indirect or secondary impacts; (iii) accumulative impacts; and (iv) synergistic impacts.

7.1.3 THE INTERACTION BETWEEN A PROJECT AND THE ENVIRONMENT cont’ The direct and primary impact which a project makes on the environment is the initial, most readily recognised affect each element of the project will have on each element of the environment. Indirect secondary impacts - actions, resulting in the alteration, of an existing environment, can start a chain reaction, which can have far- reaching consequences.

Accumulative effect - a succession of generally small, related impacts often complement each other to form a more serious accumulative effect. Synergistic impacts - generally caused by two or more known and apparently harmless substances mixing to form a dangerous or potentially dangerous new form of substance THE INTERACTION BETWEEN A PROJECT AND THE ENVIRONMENT cont’

7.1.4 THE NATURE OF THE IMPACTS The nature of the economic impact of public transport routes and stops in an area can be either positive or negative. In some cases public transport accessibility promotes business, whilst in residential areas it could have a negative effect.

Negative economic impacts of public transport – decline in property values as a result of noise and – land taken for facilities and – damage to roads by inappropriate use. Negative social impacts of public transport – violence, vandalism, littering and poor hygiene practices in communities THE NATURE OF THE IMPACTS cont’

7.1.5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS Environmental impact is the interaction of the various elements of a project with the elements of the environment. The analytic process seeks to determine which specific activities of the project react with which specific elements of the environment.

7.1.6 STRATEGIES TO DEAL WITH IMPACTS Five major means of dealing with the problems are: 1.legislation, which is generally an overriding consideration: 2.good planning, thereby avoiding possible impacts. i.e. being proactive; 3.education 4.mitigation measures, both proactive and reactive; (The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something) 5.economic approach, i.e. user charges. It is important to note that these methods are not mutually exclusive and are often used together.

7.1.6 STRATESIES TO DEAL WITH IMPACTS cont’ Public transport operators and authorities need to ensure that they have as little negative impact on the environment as possible, by means of the following mitigation measures: (vi) Social impacts on the community – Several actions in support of the education programmes on health and litter can be followed, including the – provision and maintenance of more public toilet facilities – the provision of litter bins at stops, termini and within rank areas; – increased fines for polluting and littering etc

(vii) Economic impacts – The decline in property values around certain public transport facilities can be avoided if their possible negative environmental impacts can be limited through the various suggested strategies STRATESIES TO DEAL WITH IMPACTS cont’

7.1.7 ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION

The different levels of environmental responsibility: Central government – administration of environmental affairs Regional level – conservation of wildlife and plants. Provincial level – waste disposal; the administration of land-use and town- planning ordinances (authoritative order) Local authorities – town planning, air pollution, noise control, waste and water management.

7.2.2 TRANSPORT AND ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT Crude oil supply, price and pollution makes the electric very attractive. Electric vehicles have the following advantages: – reduced urban pollution and health risks; – possible use of surplus electricity capacity; – spreading of the consumption of electricity more evenly by recharging batteries between peak periods, possible also at a lower tariff; – reduced fuel consumption, and therefore also crude oil imports, thus saving foreign exchange. THE END