Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
3.3
Transportation Sector
As a fundamental industry for national economic and social development, the trans-
port sector has maintained rapid growth since 1978 and has been playing both a
leading and supporting role in stimulating comprehensive economic development, by
providing safe and convenient travel services for the public and promoting coordi-
nated development among the regions, etc. As the problem of “weak transportation
foundation and inadequate supply” is being resolved, a basic transport network of
highways, railways, airlines and waterways has been established. Corresponding to
the greatly improved infrastructure facilities and equipment, China is undergoing a
new stage of transportation, gradually improving networks, optimizing distribution
and experiencing improved systems.
On the other hand, the speedy development of transportation has led to rapid energy
demand. In 2010, the transportation and mail sector consumed 261 million tons of coal
equivalent, accounting for 8.02 % of the nation's energy consumption. Added to
energy consumption in the office/individual-related transportation sector,
11
the figure
is expected to rise from 10 % to 13.6 %
12
of the nation's energy consumption. This
rapid increase in energy demand from the transportation sector further increased the
pressure of energy security, for 58%of national oil consumption depended on imports
in 2012 and the proportion will increase, owing to the fact that production of oil is
likely to peak and the resultant pressures would be too serious to be neglected.
Therefore, energy conservation and emissions reductions in the transport sector will
face increasing pressure.
3.3.1 Energy Saving Accomplishments for the 11th Five-Year Plan
Period in the Transportation Sector
Significant progress was achieved in energy conservation and emissions reduction
efforts in the transportation sector in the 11th Five-Year Plan period.
3.3.1.1 A Comprehensive Structure of Transportation Infrastructure
Has Been Optimized
The rail service consumes every ton-kilometer 1/3 energy consumption in shipment,
1/10 of that in highways, 1/70 of that in airline services, therefore the rapid construc-
tion of railways could on the one hand attract people traveling over short distances,
from airlines or highways, to energy efficient railways; on the other hand, it will help
ease the shortage of existing railways and push forward optimization of the transpor-
tation structure and stimulate significant energy conservation and emission reduction
efforts. From the beginning of the 11th Five-Year Plan period, the central government
11
Statistics concerning energy consumption for transportation sector includes transport companies
engaging in social operations but doesn't include energy consumption in transportation for
companies, institutions and private use.
12
Source: Geng Qin [
8
], Wang Qingyi [
11
], Guowu Zhang [
10
].
