The paper examines growth in Australian passenger and freight transport for the road and rail modes since 1980. Urban car dependence in some Australian cities now ranks with the worst overseas cases, and Australia now has the highest level of road freight per capita in the world. This paper estimates a 'road deficit' now in excess of $13 billion per year. By 2010, it is now considered that Australia’s total net greenhouse emissions are expected to reach 142 per cent of 1990 levels, as opposed to the 108 per cent committed by the Federal Government. To achieve a sustainable land transport system, Australia must give increasing attention to the economic, environmental and social costs of transport. There is a demonstrated need to upgrade rail and urban public transport infrastructure. As rail is more energy efficient than road transport, and imposes negligible social and environmental costs in comparison, there is also a need to moderate the increase in road vehicle use through government policy reform, a more equitable taxation system and improved road pricing. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E212706.
Abstract