SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT: HOW THE ROYAL COMMISSION SEE THE FUTURE

This chapter outlines the broad overview of transport and the environment, as developed by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, while preparing its 1994 report. The Commission began by focusing on the specific environmental impacts of transport, but very soon realised that it had to consider these problems in relation to broader transport issues, such as why people need to travel, especially by car. The key environmental concerns, addressed by the Commission, were: accidents, air pollution, the effects of transport infrastructure on amenities, carbon dioxide and climate change, noise, and the use of non-renewable resources. Road transport is the main source of these impacts. Economic analysis shows that road users do not pay the true economic costs of their travel. The Commission accepted the UK Government's sustainable development strategy, to establish a balance between sustainable development, environmental goals, and quality of life. It identified eight objectives for reducing the damaging environmental impact of transport, and proposed specific targets and measures for achieving these objectives. The chapter outlines implications for urban transport, public transport, and freight transport, and presents some challenges for the future. For the covering abstract, see IRRD 885112.

  • Availability:
  • Corporate Authors:

    OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS

    WALTON STREET
    OXFORD,   United Kingdom  OX2 6DP
  • Authors:
    • Houghton, J
  • Publication Date: 1996

Language

  • English

Media Info

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00729823
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
  • ISBN: 0-19-854934-2
  • Files: ITRD
  • Created Date: Dec 26 1996 12:00AM