What is Sustainable Transportation

Segway PT i2

There come days when you want to do one thing all day long, and such a day has arrived. I have been thinking for a while – where does one begin from on a topic such as sustainable transportation??

Remembering from a talk I had attended or maybe an online video, ‘green’ implies to a voluntary action towards change.
Looking at various green stories of the past, the likes of treehuggers, the story of Erin Brockovich, protecting the Amazon forests, saving the Himalayas from melting (and Antarctica), the switch to not-harming-the-environment vehicles is yet an other story in the making or maybe even a movement.
Transportation causes 16% of carbon dioxide emissions around the globe, on an average. There are two ways to look at this – a) produce more public/private transport vehicles; b) let the unfortunate remain unfortunate.

Walking and cycling or biking are modes of transportation most primitive and non-debatable. Something more recent is the Segway PT or even consider the concept Toyota Winglet. These personal transporters are for the rich and lazy bones or even consider them as the practical ones of the society. On the flip side, it’s a good way to encourage emission free city cruising. Thinking about it now, a step towards encouraging, emission free cities could be on the lines of bicycle sharing seen in parts of Europe. The PT can be picked up at one of the mechanized docks through electronic cards and dropped off at another dock at the other end of the city. Hereby, making it mass transit. As of now the PT is yet on the debate hanger, a conflux between the best alternative to gas guzzlers and its limits on usage in public space. Many would prefer their trusted feet over paying $5700 for some local cruising.

Remembering 1990 levels of emissions is a thought governments must give, though practically. There was less of everything causing air pollution, back then. Its like, demand has expanded and exploded ten-fold at the cost of the environment. Ideally, the new age eco-friendly private vehicles should be sold cheaper than their polluting counterparts. European emission standards could be made a yardstick to measure cost of vehicles sold and determine the entire economics of the automobile industry. The Indian auto market is yet at the Euro II and III standards! Most popular as of now are electric vehicles. Sensible city planning, improved traffic dilemmas, responsible driving and following pedestrian rules are also a part of successful transport conditions. Producing more environmentally sustainable transport options (solar, electric, wind powered, hybrid, E85 and E95, vegetable oils, LPG, CNG, flex fuel vehicles) which can be used by private and public transport at a cheap price, might be the right way to reach 1990 emission levels.

It’s rather ironic, using modern twenty-first century technology to push back man to the 20th century limits of growth and development. With the multiplying surplus, in demand for luxuries and improved standards of living, the environmental consciousness might have taken a back seat. Though the change will come through in time, in the future.
This is yet another error committed by many alike. We fail to realise that time is running out of our hands, there needs to be a sense of urgency and governments; industries; companies; responsible social groups and the innocent masses must act quickly.
At this point, summarizing the above, in three basic points, sustainable transportation has got to be –
a) Accessible – But not at the cost of the environment
b) Affordable
c) Alternative Availability – 21st century fuel

In many countries travelling by public transport is a joy and quite an experience. Though in many other countries it’s a living hell! How does public transportation make or bring a difference in an individual’s daily life? A basic observation - people use public transportation either out of choice or compulsion. Students largely do not fall in either category. The ones who use public transportation by choice are not necessarily environmentally responsible. Though, public transportation affects all classes of the society. Here is how –
In nations where public transportation is a social pleasure, private vehicles wouldn’t mind being compensated for. Trains, busses, cabs, ferries, trams and rickshaws accommodate more people (at once) and get us from point A to B at a faster (subjective) and cheaper rate. All can afford and everyone is happy. A further improvement in public transport conditions can change decisions of many. All those living on rent, now have alternatives to where they could reside (yet on rent). When the journey is slashed by half the time it would initially take masses want to move closer to their work place, the market, the parks and restaurants/eateries. This causes availability of vacant houses, reducing scarcity and thus a fall in rent. (The fall of rent due to improvement in commuter services was taken from the book, “The Undercover Economist” by Tim Harford).

On the flip side, an improvement in commuter services does not really bring a smile on that class of the society who have to travel, using public modes, by compulsion. They are the ones who are sick and tired knowing it’s their only mobility option. This is the class looking for the comfort and luxury of a private transport. By the time they can afford a vehicle of their own, and before they know it, sustainable modes of private transport would be the only available option. Once again they have to wait a lifetime, before they can move on, on the getting-rich chart. For all that might happen is, public transport might get even more expensive. What can be done from letting those not so fortunate remain the way they are?

Green technology is here to stay and expand. Sustainable transportation for sure is going be a 21st century movement!