The Brisbane River is a mixed blessing for travel behaviour and commuting emissions

The University of Queensland is a large regional attractor located in the western suburbs of Brisbane - a city divided by a river with very few crossings. This paper quantifies greenhouse gas emissions associated with commuter travel to the University of Queensland (UQ), and investigates the impact of the Brisbane River on commuter travel behaviour. Indirect non-organisation greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 3) associated with UQ staff and student commuter travel were estimated using emission factors combined with survey data on transport mode, travel distance, and attendance. The suburbs with the highest commuter emissions can be grouped into three categories: close to campus with moderate car use but high populations; very far from campus with high car use; or suburbs with poor public transport connections and high car use driving medium or long distances. Less than one quarter of commuters used private vehicles, but these accounted for two-thirds of emissions. Many of the commuters driving lived very close to campus. Travel time is a key driver for commuter travel mode choice and was the number one barrier to both public and active transport. Different travel behaviours were observed north and south of the Brisbane River. Commuters were more likely to drive to UQ from north of the river, and more likely to walk or cycle from south of the river. Sustainable travel modes (public and active transport) are better connected with more convenient services to the east/south of the Brisbane River, as evidenced by public transport use, active travel popularity and travel time mapping, and limited vehicle crossings. Geographic features, such as rivers and hills, are often a barrier to public or active transport, but when coupled with strategic sustainable transport infrastructure, can encourage more sustainable forms of travel.

• Record URL:
  • https://atrf.info/papers/2018/index.aspx
• Authors:
  • Lambert, V
  • Whitehead, J
  • O'Brien, K
• Conference:
  • Australasian Transport Research Forum (ATRF), 40th, 2018, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
• Publication Date: 2018-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 17p
• Monograph Title: 40th Australasian Transport Research Forum (ATRF), Darwin, October 30th - November 1st, 2018

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accessibility; Exhaust gases; Greenhouse gases; Mode choice; Sustainable transportation; Travel behavior; Universities and colleges; Work trips
• Geographic Terms: Brisbane, Queensland
• ATRI Terms: Accessibility; Carbon dioxide equivalent; Journey to work; Modal choice; Sustainable transport; Travel behaviour; University; Vehicle emissions
• Subject Areas: Education and Training;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01696342
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Feb 26 2019 2:41PM