1. Ch 13. The Path to a Sustainable Transportation System (Topics in Chapter 13 of the 2nd edition are too detailed for a general discussion of sustainability. So a brief summary of Chapter 13 of the 1st edition is given. For the chapter 13 portion of the final exam, review this presentation and in-class discussions, not Chapter 13 in the 2nd edition textbook.)
Definition of sustainability
Sustainability: Pros & cons for transportation
Growing congestion, the cost of congestion and some ways to reduce congestion
Transportation and energy
Effects on the environment
Technology’s impact on sustainability
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2. Sustainability Defined
The notion of sustainability = “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
It’s a system’s notion. To the extent that the components of a community (land use patterns, transportation, utilities, education, recreation, etc.) can be coordinated and made more efficient, the goals and desires of the present can be achieved without compromising the livability of the future.
To the United States, the concept of sustainable transportation means that transportation
Is clean and quiet
Is efficient
Does not contribute to pollution and global warming
Uses nonrenewable energy wisely (within the country’s resources)
Contributes positively to the country’s economy
Can you describe a few examples that try to achieve some of these goals?
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3. Why do we need to be serious about sustainability?
The pros and cons of transportation
Natural resources (especially oil) are limited and foreign oil dependency is increasing
Air and noise pollutions are public health problems – more illnesses, higher medical expenditures.
The nature cannot completely clear up air pollution.
A significant fraction of the population does not have access to automobiles – a social inequity
Congestion continues to increase. For urbanized areas, automobiles are becoming inefficient in moving a large number of people.
Urban sprawl continues if only auto-oriented projects are given higher priority (Eagle Mt. is an example of urban sprawl.)
This is SLC, not LA!
“How can we reduce energy use during commuting?”
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4. Growing congestion and the cost of congestion
Urban congestion is growing in three increasingly visible ways:
The time penalty for peak period – 14 hrs/year in 1982 to 34 hrs/year in 2010, to 42 hrs/year in 2014
The period of time when travelers might experience congestion – 4.5 hrs/day in 1982 to 7 hrs/day in 2000
The volume of roadways where travel is congested – 34% in 1982 to 58% in 2000
Simply adding more lanes do not reduce congestion because of induced demand. The widened I-15 section north of Point of the Mountain just before the SLC Winter Olympics is a good example of this.
Click here for the Urban Mobility Study by TTI
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5. How much do we waste due to congestion?
6,570 million gallons?  About $13.14 billion per year at $2/gallon! (GNP of the US 1997 = $8.5 trillion, meaning 0.15% or 1.5/1000 of total GNP wasted)
3203 by 6 large cities
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6. Why many still drive for almost any activities: How do the drivers see their driving costs?
In small to medium cities, this is typical. Even in large cities, this happens if employers subsidize parking costs.
UD = User direct costs
UF = User fixed costs or Indirect costs
SS = Subsidies
SC = Social costs
EC = Environmental costs
Many drivers think about only their “out-of-pocket” costs. Due to this low out-of-pocket cost combined with convenience once they have a car they use it frequently. This attitude contributes to the nation’s dependency to oil.
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Vuchic, “Transportation for Livable Cities,” p.236

7. Some ways to consider sustainability
Planning for sustainable transportation is based on the examination of several possible avenues to achieve community goals. The goals are community-specific, accounting for its needs and those areas that are expected to impact the community mobility in the best way.
Employee incentives for carpooling, vanpooling, transit and non-motorized modes (biking and walking)
Integrated land use planning – traditional neighborhood concept, intermodal transportation system (e.g. The Gateway Shopping Center in SLC, Daybreak)
Transit-oriented design (TOD) – integrates residential and commercial land uses with accessible transit service (e.g. Daybreak Development; a new mixed-use development north of University Mall and Riverwood Shopping Center)
Foster centralized growth, stop urban sprawl – (e.g., City Creek development)
Neighborhood transportation cooperatives – grow naturally among residents – carpooling kids for school and after-school programs
Maximize transportation choice and incentives – Provo is getting better in this area: bike lane/path, UTA, Frontrunner, BRT
Congestion pricing
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8. Congestion pricing example: Singapore
Began in 1975, using stickers
Applied only to AM rush hour, entering CBD
Result was 40% reduction in AM traffic
Replaced in 1998 with comprehensive electronic pricing system
ERP = Electronic Road Pricing
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9. Congestion pricing example: London
Began Feb. 2003, CBD (8 sq. mi.) only - present
Applies 7 AM to 6:00 PM, weekdays only
Initial result: 20% fewer cars
Revenues to be used to improve transit.
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10. Transportation & Energy
I bet you do not know the oil crisis in the early 70’s of the last century (1973). It was the time when even toilet tissues began to disappear in stores.
It was the time when the 55 mph national freeway speed limit was enacted.
It was the time when Japanese cars began to sell more than American cars – smaller and better gas mileage, and safer.
Revealed the vulnerability of depending on foreign oil
But many people forgot the crisis. Or, those who were born after that do not know how serious it was.
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11. Oil use in the US Transportation sector consumes a lot of oil.
We are becoming more dependent on foreign oil.
See a large increase in oil use in the transportation sector and a large decrease in residential, commercial and electric utilities sectors in the table below.
One barrel = 42 gallons
Oil consumption in N. America
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12. We are really dependent on foreign oil.
See a large increase in the oil import in the table below. Are we “spending” more than our means?
1.62
9.82
10.9/19.65
13.26/8.05
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13. Which mode gobbles up most!
BTU = British Thermal Units
Quads = quadrillion BTU (1.0 x 1015 BTU)
It is obvious that we have to do something with highway modes if we want to reduce oil consumption, especially automobiles and light trucks (like SUV, vans, pickups).
Total = MBPD
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14. Environmental Issues Cars and trucks on congested roads pollute
Air pollution and noise pollution are the major problems. (Water pollution should not be neglected. Runoff from pavement surface contains pollutants like oil, rubber, etc.)
Cars and trucks on congested roads pollute
CO increases as peed increases
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15. Technology Impacts Sustainability
ITS
Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS)
Advanced Public Transportation Systems (APTS)
Advanced Vehicle Control Systems (AVCS)
Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS)
Commercial Vehicle Operation Systems (CVO)
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16. Automated Highway? Or Smart Cars?
The automated highway on the right are traveling at highway speeds on a high-occupancy vehicle lane in San Diego during a demonstration of vehicle automation. Magnets in the road keep the cars in the center of the lane and communications between vehicles keep them properly spaced. – California PATH.
Technologically feasible, but most likely this may not happen for various reasons.
Google’s smart cars do not need automated highway infrastructure.
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17. Advancement in Automotive Technology
Electricity-powered vehicles
Hybrid (gas + electricity) vehicles (HEV)
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Bus powered by LNG
Hydrogen-powered vehicles

18. AAT (continued): V2V, V2I, V2X, fully autonomous
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