TAMING THE TRANSPORT TIGER

Mechanised transport uses nearly 20 percent of the useful energy available in Britain, and almost one third of the petroleum products. Although the contribution of transport to economic and social progress is often ignored, the author examines means of minimising energy requirements by increasing efficiency of power plants, substitution of scarce or expensive fuel, and reducing demand. It is unlikely that battery powered vehicles could be made to function more efficiently than those powered by the internal combustion engine. Energy savings by a shift to rail transport would be small if road journeys at either end of rail travel were not eliminated. There is little sign that less expensive public transport can attract those with private cars readily available. The author argues that the demand for transport may reflect a failure to organise society efficiently and equitably; transport restraint may force a re-examination of the present pattern of activity with a resultant improvement in the style of life. /TRRL/

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/02624079
• Corporate Authors:

  IPC Magazines

  66-69 Great Queens Street
  London WC2E 5DD,   England 
• Authors:
  • Silverleaf, A
• Publication Date: 1976-10-14

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 12-13
• Serial:
  • NEW SCIENTIST
  • Volume: 72
  • Issue Number: 1022
  • Publisher: REED BUSINESS INFORMATION LTD
  • ISSN: 0262-4079

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Demand; Electric automobiles; Electric vehicles; Energy; Energy conservation; Energy consumption; Private transportation; Public transit; Railroads; Regional planning; Socioeconomic factors; Sociology; Transportation; Transportation policy
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom; United States
• Old TRIS Terms: Energy requirements; National transportation policies; Railway
• ITRD Terms: 285: Demand (econ); 213: Energy; 212: Energy conservation; 1054: Network (traffic); 746: Private transport; 2253: Sociology; 8119: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Economics; Energy; Society; Transportation (General); Vehicles and Equipment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00147859
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 16 1981 12:00AM