Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Results
To illustrate the methodology, we show part of the results from the beginning of the
stage for generating and selecting a non-exhaustive list of indicators grouped into
two blocks: accessibility to social services (Table
1
), and road accident rate (Table
2
).
These two blocks correspond to the initial structure of the sub-system of social indi-
cators for the transport sector ordered into a framework of pressure-state-response.
The “accessibility to social services” block shows the beginnings of integration
of two blocks belonging to two indicator subsystems of different nature: transport
and social well-being. Some of the proposed response indicators recommend
improving transport infrastructures (road network, public or private transport, …)
whereas others opt to build more service centers and to reduce average distances.
This highlights the need to integrate the indicator systems. As an example of the
application of indicators, priority has been given to the “road accident rate” block,
because this is the means of transport that causes most deaths.
Table 1
“Accessibility to social services” block
Pressure (causes)
State (social)
Response
Distance to social centers. Quality of
transport infrastructures: distance
to depots for each service (train,
bus, service area, taxi)… Quality
of public and private transport
services: no. of lines, no. of
services per day, waiting time
between services, schedules,…
Average travel time to
social centers, hospitals,
health centers, schools,
universities and
colleges, administrative
centers…
Investment in transport
infrastructures,
investment in
public transport
systems, building
new social centers
closer by…
Table 2
“Road accident rate” block (European Road Safety Action Programme” (2003). “Mid-term
review of the European Commission's 2001 Transport White Paper” (2006))
Pressure (causes)
State (social)
Response
Quality of the road
network: curves, state
of repair, signposting…
Causes attributable to
drivers: traffic offences;
driving while under the
influence of alcohol,
drugs or medicines;
driving licence obtained
by fraud; age-related
problems; and physical
condition of driver…
Causes deriving
from vehicles: age of
the vehicles, design
defects…
No. of accidents
involving victims,
without victims, with
fatalities… Total no.
of fatalities broken
down by sex, age
groups… No. of black
spots: per area, length
of road network…
Time taken by
emergency services to
reach victims…
Improvement in vigilance
and control: no. of police
officers, frequency of official
technical inspection of
vehicles, licenses incurring
penalty points, fines…
Improvements and new
designs in vehicle safety…
Correct use of legal drugs
and medicines, rehabilitation
programmes for those
involved in accidents…
Publicity: campaigns to
encourage good driving
practices… Improvement of
emergency services…
