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https://www.nationalacademies.org/trb/events

Fairness in a Car-dependent Society

Cars offer the freedom to travel to almost any destination, at whatever time, with passengers and luggage and minimal need to plan ahead. They have made it easier to keep in touch with friends and family and to reach a wider range of job opportunities. As they have become more affordable, they have dramatically expanded the travel possibilities available to ordinary families. But these freedoms have been obtained at a substantial price, and one that falls most heavily on the poorest and most vulnerable in society. The negative impacts of our expanding travel horizons include deaths, injuries, and the threat of accidents that restrict others’ freedoms; air and noise pollution; congestion; community severance and the loss of social cohesion. These and other impacts, in particular climate change, which are associated with increased travel, will place a heavy burden upon future generations. Current UK transport patterns are dominated by road transport and car use – the UK has been described by the Commission on Integrated Transport as the most car-dependent country in Europe. Over the past decade, the costs of public transport alternatives have risen in real terms while the cost of motoring has fallen. More car journeys have created congestion and produced a more hostile road environment. Walking and cycling in particular have become more dangerous and unpleasant as the number of vehicles on the roads has increased. Over time, land use patterns have changed to reflect car use. Shops and services have moved to car-accessible locations. Journey patterns have become more diffuse and journeys have become longer. Our society is becoming hard-wired to increasing levels of car dependency. These positive and negative impacts are unevenly distributed. Seven key groups have been examined: low income; children; older people; the disabled; black; Asian and minority ethnic groups; rural communities; and future generations. The costs to society are substantial. In late 2009, the Cabinet Office, working with the Department for Transport, estimated the costs to English urban areas at £38-49 billion. This was based on excess delays, accidents, poor air quality, physical inactivity, greenhouse gas emissions and some of the impacts of noise. This analysis demonstrates that existing transport patterns in the UK contribute to substantial and persistent inequalities. Some people benefit from accessing a wide range of education and employment opportunities and goods and services, whilst others are held back, unable to access the opportunities that would enable them to maximise their own well-being and social and economic contribution. The inequality is two-fold. In general the people experiencing the worst access opportunities also suffer the worst effects of other people’s travel. They are both ‘less travelled’ and ‘travelled-upon’. The evidence presented in this report suggests that the central reason for this inequality is society’s dependence upon the car as its dominant mode of travel. Put simply, increasing car dependency has led to increasing unfairness.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Web
  • Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
  • Pagination: 78p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01357197
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Nov 16 2011 2:53PM