THE ENERGY-ECONOMICS BALANCE
On what grounds should a transportation mode be endorsed? If the basis of choice is relative energy use, we would want to examine the BTU'S of input per passenger mile of travel. The most efficient machine would produce the greatest output for each unit of fuel input. However, if we also want to consider economic criteria, not only would we like to reduce the consumption of energy, but also of other scarce inputs of value, such as labor and capital. It is clear that each mode has its own inherent values and limitations. This article will briefly address each in terms of the question: "Should we drive automobiles in town or should we use bicycles instead?" In 1981, personal automobiles accounted for 28.8% of all oil consumption in the United States (DOE, 1981) and 53% of all energy used in transportation. Moreover, the car was used for 79% of all trips to work, whereas the bicycle was used for only one percent. Meanwhile, in Copenhagen, bicycles accounted for 17% of all urban trips; in Rotterdam, the figure was 43% (Gross et al., 1979). Fuel prices have historically been higher in European countries, where lower rates of automobile ownership also prevail. Could there exist a causal relationship between energy use, economics and transportation choice?
-
Corporate Authors:
Bicycle Federation
1101 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC United States 20005 -
Authors:
- PARKER, D
- Publication Date: 1983
Media Info
- Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
- Pagination: p. 30-37
- Serial:
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Bicycles; Energy conservation; Energy consumption; Fuel consumption; Mode choice
- Uncontrolled Terms: Energy efficiency
- Old TRIS Terms: Modal selection
- Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00386763
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report/Paper Numbers: HS-036 243
- Files: HSL, USDOT
- Created Date: Jun 28 1984 12:00AM