Two very different approaches to large-scale greenhouse gas emission reductions from urban passenger transport have been extensively discussed and researched in recent years. The first concentrates on the technical efficiency of travel, and attempts to reduce emissions by using alternative fuels or power systems, modal shift, fuel efficiency improvements to existing vehicle types, or increasing occupancy rates. The authors show that the popular preferred option, a zero or low emission car with costs, performance and convenience of use similar to existing cars, is unlikely to achieve high fleet penetration for decades, if ever, as too many technical and economic uncertainties remain. The second approach attempts to reduce the demand for travel itself, for example by altering land use in cities. The authors find that feasible residential density increases will be ineffective in reducing travel in Australian cities. The best option appears to be introducing measures aimed at reducing the speed and convenience of urban car travel. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E209537. This paper may also be accessed by Internet users at: http://www.btre.gov.au/docs/atrf_02/program.html
Abstract