The aim of this paper is to show that continued private car travel cannot form the basis for a sustainable Australian system of surface passenger travel. We argue that the risks of global climate change and oil depletion, both Australian and global, require effective reductions in the next two decades or so, whereas technical solutions to drastically cut car travels greenhouse gas emissions and oil consumption are only possible in a much longer time frame, and possibly not even then. Overall, Australia will have to rely on alternative modes (various forms of public transport, walking and cycling), and much-reduced levels of personal travel as well. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E216058.
Abstract