Turn off accessible linear format and redisplay the web page in it's original layout. Sustainable Transportation
What is Sustainable Transportation?
There are several definitions for sustainable transportation. Even so, there are common threads in most definitions of sustainable transportation based on sustainable development involving social, environmental, and economic aspects.
The Centre for Sustainable Transportation's (CST) definition of a sustainable transportation system is one that:
- allows the basic access needs of individuals and societies to be met safely and in a manner consistent with human and ecosystem health, and with equity within and between generations
- is affordable, operates efficiently, offers choice of transport mode, and supports a vibrant economy.
- limits emissions and waste within the planet's ability to absorb them, minimizes consumption of non-renewable resources, limits consumption of renewable resources to the sustainable yield level, reuses and recycles its components, and minimizes the use of land and the production of noise.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)defines sustainable transportation as: transportation that does not endanger public health or ecosystems and meets needs for access consistent with:
- the use of renewable resources at below their rates of regeneration; and
- the use of non-renewable resources at below the rates of development of renewable substitutes
Sustainable transportation can be supported by promoting the use of:
- more energy efficient forms of transportation such as public transit
- alternative transportation to the single occupancy vehicle
- low emissions vehicles
- transportation demand management
- active transportation, and
- supportive land use practices.
| Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Transportation demand management refers to a series of strategies that can be taken to alter the type of travel made by individuals so they make better use of alternatives to the single occupancy vehicle, especially during peak rush hour periods. Examples of TDM strategies include; use of public transit, van and carpooling, bicycle transportation, active transportation such as walking and in-line skating, telecommuting, flexible work schedules as to avoid peak period traffic, parking strategies affecting the supply of parking, and high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes to make mass transit more efficient. |
