CONSUMPTION OF TRANSPORT ENERGY IN AUSTRALIA 1984-85

This consultancy study examined the use of primary energy by the Australian transport sector. The changes in the transport task between 1975-76 and 1984-85 were analysed in terms of distance, vehicle kilometers, passenger kilometers, tonnes and tonne-kilometers for road, rail, air and sea. The study found that the energy efficiency of the total vehicle fleet did not increase over the nine year period. Whilst technological enhancements relating to vehicle and engine design had been achieved, the efficiency of private vehicle use is significantly dependent on urban driving conditions. The study stated that further attention may need to be directed to influencing driver behaviour, urban driving patterns and conditions, and encouraging efficient transport energy pricing structure, as well as improved vehicle design technology. Particular attention could be directed to examining future energy requirements of utilities and panel vans, given recent and expected increases in transport tasks by these vehicles. The study also found that the energy efficiency of government rail in the performance of the passenger task may exceed that of cars and station wagons by about 100%, while ferry services may be the least efficient transport mode for the purposes of personal mobility. For Australia's international transport task, the energy efficiency of shipping, for the passenger and freight tasks, exceeded that of air by a factor of 111. Another finding of the study was that the oil crisis of the early 1980's and the subsequent encouragement of fuel substitution has had minimal impact in reducing the dependence of Australian transport on petroleum products. The use of alternative fuels by the road transport sector during the period 1975-76 to 1984-85 has been minimal. By 1984-85 LPG was the only alternative fuel introduced, constituting approximately one percent of primary energy expended by the transport sector.

• Corporate Authors:

  Department of Primary Industries and Energy

  G.P.O. Box 858
  Canberra, A.C.T. 2601,   Australia 
• Publication Date: 1988-9

Media Info

• Pagination: 204 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air transportation; Alternate fuels; Energy; Energy consumption; Freight transportation; Highway transportation; Motor vehicles; Passenger miles; Passenger transportation; Pricing; Railroad transportation; Shipping; Tonnage; Trip length; Vans; Vehicle miles of travel; Water transportation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Energy efficiency
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• Old TRIS Terms: Energy pricing
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Energy; Freight Transportation; Highways; Marine Transportation; Passenger Transportation; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00488087
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Department of Primary Industries and Energy
• Report/Paper Numbers: NERDDP CS89/024
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 30 1989 12:00AM