Towards Sustainable Road Transport

Increasing pressure on global reserves of petroleum at a time of growing demand for personal transport in developing countries, together with concerns over atmospheric pollution and carbon dioxide emissions, are leading to a requirement for more sustainable forms of road transport. Major improvements in the efficiency of all types of road vehicles are called for, along with the use of fuels derived from alternative sources, or entirely new fuels. Towards Sustainable Road Transport first describes the evolution of vehicle designs and propulsion technologies over the past two centuries, before looking forward to possible new forms of energy to substitute for petroleum. The book also discusses the political and socio-economic drivers for change, investigates barriers to their broad implementation, and outlines the state-of-the-art of candidate power sources, advanced vehicle design, and associated infrastructure. The comprehensive technical informationsupplied by an expert author team ensures that Towards Sustainable Road Transport will provide readers with a clear understanding of the ongoing progress in this field and the challenges still to be faced. Drivers of technological change in road transport and the infrastructure requirements Discussion of alternative fuels for internal combustion engines and fuel conversion technologies Detailed exploration of current and emerging options for vehicle propulsion, with emphasis on hybrid/ battery electric traction, hydrogen, and fuel cells Comparative analysis of vehicle design requirements, primary power source efficiency, and energy storage systems

This book presents the papers from the Innovations in Fuel Economy and Sustainable Road Transport conference, held in Pune, India, 8-9 November, 2011. Papers examine advances in powertrain, alternative fuels, lightweight vehicles, electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. An international assembly of senior industry representatives provide insight into research and technological advances in low carbon technology sustainability for road transport, helping towards achieving stringent emissions standards and continual improvements in fuel economy efficiency, all in an expanding Indian market. These technical papers from industry and academia discuss the developments and research of leading organisations. Discusses maximising powertrain performance for a low carbon agenda Provides readers with an understanding of the latest developments in alternative fuels Examines the future landscape for the implementation and development of electric vehicles

Cycling and walking are both essential components in sustainable transport strategy and are becoming an ever more important part of urban planning. There is now a wealth of international experience of how well sustainable planning works in practice and how it can be improved. With a wide range of contributions from America, Australia, Europe as well as the UK, Sustainable transport sums up many of the lessons learnt and how they can be applied in improved planning. Non-motorised transport planning depends on combining improvements to infrastructure with education. There are chapters examining both national strategies and local initiatives in cities around the world, including such topics as changes to existing road infrastructure and the integration of cycling and walking with public transport. Since education is a critical element in sustainable transport planning, contributors also consider such topics as developing healthier travel habits and ways of promoting cycling and walking as alternatives to the car. With its blend of practical experience and suggestions for improvement, Sustainable transport is essential reading for urban planners, environmental groups and those researching transport issues. Comprehensive handbook covering sustainable transport initiatives world wide Focuses on walking and cycling as alternatives to motorised transport systems Presents practical advice on how to encourage sustainable transport schemes

Since first emerging in the 1990s, the concept of a "dependence" on the motorcar has gradually gained currency among theorists and practitioners. The systematic increase in the number of cars on the roads in many countries of the world has led to a seemingly irreversible situation. These days, however, growing concerns about energy supplies and sustainable development are actually stepping up the pressure to find ways of reversing that trend. For some years now, researchers have been striving to analyse the causes of car dependence and to appraise policies and means of action in the light of their findings. They have set out to identify the population groups and zones most affected by the phenomenon; to explore. the potential of alternative modes of transport other than the motorcar; to determine the interlinkages between urban development and motor transport; to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of various policies; and to develop likely future scenarios. This book takes stock of the work done to date both in France -- largely within the framework of the Predit land transport research, experimentation and innovation programme -- and in other countries, bringing out the similarities and occasional differences in the results. The book will be of interest not only to researchers but also to the practitioners in the driving seat of land and transport planning at various geographical scales.

Reflecting the dynamic relationships between socio-technical behaviour and change, this book presents leading research on the transition process needed to achieve more sustainable transport systems. Focusing on making transition happen, this volume looks at various aspects and factors that are involved in the transition process and their implications for transport policy-making. The concept of Transition Management and how it can be applied to the transport sector is considered in detail, and forms the focus of the first part of the volume. The rest of the book is organised according to the three themes of transport energy use and emissions, the role of information in policy-making, and the evaluation of transport policy. This volume brings together scholars involved in research from various disciplines and countries to discuss the relationships between policy instruments, individual behaviour, institutional practices and the transition towards more sustainable transport systems.

Exploring the need for a sustainable transport paradigm, which has been sought after by local and national authorities internationally over the last 30 years, this illuminating and timely Handbook offers insights into how this can be secured more broadly and what it may involve, as well as the challenges that the sustainable transport approach faces. The Handbook offers readers a holistic understanding of the paradigm by drawing on a wide range of research and relevant case studies that showcase where the principles of sustainable transport have been implemented.

Through an examination of transport planning in Australia, this book challenges conventional wisdom by showing, through original research, how 'car dependence' is as much an institutional as a technical phenomenon. The authors' case studies in three metropolitan cities show how transport policy has become institutionally fixated on a path dominated by private, road-based transport and how policy systems become encrusted around investment to accommodate private cars, erecting an impenetrable barrier against more sustainable mobility and accessibility solutions. The findings are applicable to most cities of the developed world, and to fields beyond transport planning.