Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
rail (tram, light rail, underground etc.) in line with bicycle and pedestrian traffic
(both characterized by near-zero energy-intensity), supported by appropriate spa-
tial planning and proper restrictions regarding car transport are able to achieve that.
Increasing the share of public transport in the overall transport performance in the
face of peak oil and growing oil prices will decrease the costs of functioning of
urban (agglomeration) transportation systems. As well as that, it will help reduce
the external costs of transport, limit the costs of maintenance and costs of transpor-
tation infrastructure development due to considerably lower land take in compari-
son with the transport capacity. Also, it will improve the attractiveness of cities and
attract new inhabitants at the same time suppressing the suburbanization processes.
Limiting urban sprawl and increasing population density in cities will decrease
the distances between traffic sources and destinations which will directly contrib-
ute to lowering the energy-intensity of transport. In addition, it will increase the
competitive advantage of public transport and pedestrian and bicycle traffic. On
the other hand, there is a huge technological and organisational potential which can
enable to lower the energy-intensity of public transport, thus lowering the emis-
sion of greenhouse gases and improving the level of sustainability of passenger
transport. The fleet needs to be constantly replaced for less-energy intensive at the
same time maintain its high technical condition. In the areas or sections where the
demand for transport is highest where the bus service is provided, it would be worth
considering the introduction of tram lines or trolleybuses. Both trams and trolley-
buses use up much less energy per passenger kilometre, and, more importantly,
are powered by energy which can be generated entirely from renewable resources.
Educating drivers in the field of ecodriving must be emphasised as ecodriving can
bring significant energy savings. Savings achieved by fluent driving without the
need to stop or wait at the traffic lights will be brought about by the implementa-
tion of ITS and introducing first priority to trams and buses at intersections. There is
no doubt the organization and management should be improved, too. It is essential
to adjust the capacity of the fleet and the frequency of service to the truly reported
demand, and improve the routes of the lines, at the same time remembering not to
limit the supply too much, which could cause a fall in the demand.
References
Aleklett K (2012) Peeking at peak oil. Springer, New York, pp 76-79
BIT (2014) Plan zrównowaǙonego rozwoju publicznego transportu zbiorowego dla miasta
Poznania na lata 2014-2025. BIT, Poznan, pp 42, 43, 122
BP (2014a) BP energy outlook 2035. Summary tables. BP, January.
http://www.bp.com/en/
BP (2014b) BP statistical review of world energy. Workbook. BP, June
Calthorpe P (2013) Urbanism in the age of climate change. Island Press, Washington
Carlyle R (2013) What would happen to the current fracking activity and subsequent booms gen-
erated if oil $/bbl were to drop? “Forbes”.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2013/01/08/
bbl-were-to-drop/
. 14 Aug 2014
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