As a result of steeply declining domestic oil production and forecasts of dwindling world supplies, Australia is very vulnerable to temporary and permanent oil shocks in the short, medium and long term. Transport planning priorities (both large scale planning and road design) must be changed dramatically to minimise the impacts of the coming oil shortages. The current reluctance of decision-makers even to consider oil depletion will rank high on the list of missed opportunities and ‘intelligence failures’. A much more precautionary approach should be adopted now to reduce our vulnerability when oil supplies become limited, as appears to be almost certain within the service lifetime of most transport infrastructure projects. Many of the policy options to reduce fuel usage will in addition lead to healthier, happier and more equitable communities and improve local and global pollution levels. They will also require substantial changes in the way that transport is viewed by planners, engineers, politicians and the general public. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E211825.
Samenvatting