Nowadays more than ever the world demands responsible behaviour regarding the environment. The transport system is among those spheres of our influence with the biggest negative impact on the planet. It accounts for about a quarter of the world’s energy consumption (EPA, 2010). That is why it is crucial to implement more sustainable solutions in this area. Urgent problems that pose a significant challenge have to be addressed and solved so that we can move closer to a desired, more eco-friendly state of transport. Thus, numerous deep-rooted changes will have to be implemented in transport, in order to attain a more inclusive, sustainable future. These alterations will certainly require our readiness to adapt and sometimes will redefine the way we think about transporting goods and people. In this essay, I will outline the key facts about sustainability in the transport context. I will then examine the most important changes that can bring us closer to the desirable sustainable transport systems and how they will necessitate moving away from the status quo.
Ever since automobiles and planes began to facilitate the world, we refused to acknowledge negative effects that transport has had on our lives. Fortunately, the population is becoming more aware of them. As the definition states, sustainable transport can be described as minimising unfavourable impact on the society and environment, while retaining positive economic outcomes (Goldman and Gorham, 2006 cited in Stephenson J. et al. 2017). Transport is a system deeply intertwined with other aspects of our lives, like economy and community. Therefore, it is harder to address and thereby achieve by implementing specific changes (Goldman, T. and Gorham, R. 2006).
The major issues with transport that need to be addressed can be divided into three categories – environment, economy and society. Transport has an especially wide-reaching impact on the environment because of its high dependency on fossil fuels and the reshaping of the natural environment by infrastructure projects. These days, transportation constitutes 14% of total world greenhouse gas emissions (EPA, 2010). Thus powering transport systems with clean energy is a crucial step on the path to sustainable transport (Pietzcker, R.C. et al, 2013). In terms of economy, sustainable transport needs to be efficient and accessible. It also requires a well-planned network, connecting people to work and allowing for public spaces to thrive. Socially, transportation needs to be inclusive, salubrious and easily reachable, as it has a wide-reaching impact on most individuals’ lives. These problems pose challenges facing transport around the world. They can only be solved by implementing meticulous changes, like innovations in technology, infrastructure and government policies.
As with most things, change can be prompted by innovation. One notion relating to transport that has emerged from the development of recent technology is the idea of mobility as a service, which describes the shift from ownership of cars to schemes servicing travel (Shaheen, S. 2017). It is more affordable and convenient to use a shared vehicle than to own one, which makes the idea increasingly valuable to its users (Yellowlees, J. 2018). Numerous new apps and websites, like Uber, Lime or BlaBlaCar are completely redefining the way we think about travelling. Users not able to adapt to the new technology could be underprivileged by its consequences. In cities, solutions like car-sharing or electric vehicle hire complement public transport and limit congestion, contributing to sustainable transport. These solutions together with existing transport infrastructure create an intelligent, interconnected network of transport (Goldman, T. and Gorham, R. 2006). Another advantage of such innovation is the ease of gathering data through online apps. Our phones collect loads of data about our travel patterns, which is used to make better informed, more effective decisions when planning transport infrastructure (Fernández, A. 2018).
Innovation in infrastructure is as important as in technology when it comes to making transport more sustainable. New, futuristic projects depicting the vision of transport, are created and if developed correctly, they may contribute greatly to a shift to sustainable transport systems. For example, Hyperloop, a train-like vehicle travelling through tubes with the speed of a plane is currently close to implementation in Saudi Arabia (Virgin Hyperloop One, 2018). Such energy-efficient, safe and reliable projects can make a serious difference to our transport system, introducing a completely new mode of transport, which will certainly require people to adapt and develop new thinking. Moreover, car companies began to focus on electric- and hydrogen-powered vehicles, making them accessible to a wider range of users. Active transport (like cycling and walking), which is a great way to travel both for the individual by improving their mental and physical health, and the environment by reducing car use, also adds to the sustainability.
Most of the changes described above occurred rapidly, which indicates that individuals have to adapt if they are to use new transport methods more widely. Tantram J. (2013) claims that people’s preference for the status quo and associating it with familiarity and security is impeding their ability to adapt. Therefore, for some people, it will pose a challenge of redefining their thinking. The alterations, however, do not affect solely people. They also require the economy to change, e.g. the car market needs to adapt if the demand for electric vehicles increases. Those changes may not always be convenient, but they are necessary if we are to shift into a more sustainable transport system.
The transport system is undeniably in need of change, and a lot needs to happen in order to achieve its sustainability. New innovations in infrastructure and rising trends of car sharing are only the beginning of a revolutionising transport system. Most important of those alterations represent major steps towards sustainable transport future, as they contribute to mitigating negative effects on the environment, economy and society. The future still holds many more ideas and technological innovations in transportation, which entail moving away from the status quo. However, only with that, can we achieve a desirable, sustainable transport system for everyone.
References
EPA, 2010. Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data. United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Fernández, A.G. 2018. Towards transport futures using mobile data analytics.
Goldman, T. and Gorham, R. 2006. Sustainable urban transport: Four innovative directions. Technology in Society 28
Pietzcker, R.C., Longden, T., Chen, W., Fu, S., Kriegler, E., Kyle, P. and Luderer, G. 2013. Long-term transport energy demand and climate policy: Alternative visions on transport decarbonization in energy-economy models. Energy. 64, pp. 95-108
Shaheen, S., Martin, E., Cohen, A., Musunuri, A. and Bhattacharyya, A. 2016. Mobile Apps and Transportation: A Review of Smartphone Apps and a Study of User Response to Multimodal Traveler Information. Caltrans.
Stephenson J., Spector, S., Hopkins, D. and McCarthy, A. 2017. Deep interventions for a sustainable transport future. Transportation Research Part D. 61, pp. 356–372
Tantram, J. 2013. Sustainable futures and the status quo bias. The Guardian.
Virgin Hyperloop One, 2018. Virgin Hyperloop One Solidifies Commitment to Vision 2030 Through Pod Unveiling with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and Richard Branson. [Online]. [Accessed 4 January 2019]. Available from: https://hyperloop-one.com/virgin-hyperloop-one-solidifies-commitment-vision-2030- through-pod-unveiling-his-royal-highness-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-bin- abdulaziz-and-richard-branson
Yellowlees, J. 2019 ‘Mobility as a Service’ is coming, and it will revolutionise our transport systems – John Yellowlees. The Guardian.