Getting from A to B - Sustainably?

Happy New Year to all you people out there in blogland. Now that the snow’s cleared ICE Wales Cymru meetings and events were all kicking back off this week. We had; an evening lecture on Monday, the start of the 2010 written assignment group on Wednesday in Bay Chambers (hopefully getting me that little bit more prepared for professional review!) and a twice rescheduled ICE Wales Cymru Executive Board to look forward to next Monday.

Monday’s lecture on ‘Sustainable Transport in Wales’, held in Cardiff University, saw some controversial proposals presented by Neil Anderson (no not Neo from the Matrix before you think it) on how engineers, government and society all need to change in order that we get a truly sustainable transport system. I was somewhat cynical of the speaker’s personal interests in light rail when he vehemently criticised road developments in Wales as well as bus systems, but ideas he presented on de-centralising transportation networks were very interesting. It was suggested that instead of every form of transport linking in the city centre and radiating out, that intercity transport terminated at the periphery and then linked into a light rail network to quickly link people to their destination.

Fully integrated mixed mode transport systems surely have to be the way to go. Easier said than done, but I’m sure the bus and train companies will tell you they already go to lengths to try and achieve this. To get the public onto public transport information is key. Knowing exactly when the next train or bus is coming helps travellers make informed choices and save wasted time. Display screens in bus stops and train departure boards in public buildings are the start of that, and the wider availability of internet connection on mobile phones is now allowing people to get this info instantly. This is one step towards integrated transport (be it made up of public with some private in the mix), which is surely a step towards sustainable transport.

Carbon credits were also discussed in the lecture. How long before we get a ration of ‘carbon’ and have to choose between our New York city break or taking our car to work instead of the bus? Could this realistically be enforced? Perhaps. On a more realistic basis the cost of fuel duty/air flight duty will inevitably rise far beyond current levels to make leaner use of remaining fossil fuels until the technological breakthrough we’re all waiting for arrives. Or has it already been achieved and the oil companies are waiting until the black stuff really does run low before handing it over to us. Conspiracy theories abound…..

Talking to Neil, a kiwi, after his lecture I managed to get some good tips on what to see in New Zealand when I drive a camper van from Auckland in the North to Christchurch in the South next month with my wife Emily. To justify my carbon footprint for the trip I’ll report on how sustainable and integrated their transport system is. Can’t wait!