Thread by @drmatthewhardy

At #SUDOX annual lecture by @Oxford_Urban @RICSnews and @PrincesFound where David Banister asks “what is ‘smart’ transport?” when 25% of global CO2 pollution is from transport

Currently 1bn vehicles worldwide and expected to be 2.5bn in 2050. Not to mention 1.2m killed and 50m injured annually #UnsustsinableTransport

Banister’s 2008 paradigm for sustainable transport:

1. Substitute or eliminate trips
2. Shorten trips by design
3. Use public transport or cycle
4. Increase load factor & efficiency of motor vehicles

Now proposes a 7-point plan for sustainable transport:

Cities are for people and especially social interactions- not just for travelling around

Local environnements must be protected

This was all from 2008

Now in 2019 Banister adds two more and important factors:

- Local air pollution: transport is a key contributor to CO, NOx and PM2.5

(In Inner London the health impact cost for a car is £7,714 and a white van £24,000 over vehicle lifetime) #SUDOX

And

- Inequality and distribution issues: e.g. high speed rail benefits those who can and do already afford transport and travel further more often; and the poorer are impacted more by the transport of the richer

So the subsidy for the richest 10% is double that if the poorest 10%

The poorest 5% walk more than the richest 5%
The poorest 5% take buses hugely more often than the richest 5%

Yet greatest subsidies are for road (drivers) and rail

Discussion of “smart” mobility has been hijacked by technology fantasists’ promise of high mobility for all with low energy

Must consider:

Peoples wants
Slow take up of new tech
UK electricity not renewable
Big problems with local pollution (incl tyres/brake dust)

City allocation of movement space varies from 11.5% (Nairobi) to 36% (Manhattan) with typical European cities around 22%

Yet we still aren’t considering efficient use of this space (despite ubiquity of this image!)

A 2.5 tonne electric Tesla 5m long is NOT sustainable transport in cities! #UnsustsinableTransport #SUDOX

We need much more focus on walkability and place components of city spaces. Must reconsider allocation of space! More space for more space-efficient modes like walking and cycling and public transport, and charge for space for private modes #UnsustsinableTransport

Banister’s Sustainable (and Smart) Urban Mobilty 2019 needs “micro mobility” incl walking, cycling, dockless e-bikes, electric scooters and other innovations #SUDOX

Of Londoners 19.8m trips daily, 8.17m could be cycled within 20 minutes as 60% of all trips are under 5km #UnsustsinableTransport #SUDOX

Banister concludes by proposing streets safe for walking, cycling and scooting for healthy, high quality of life and city of short distances

And don’t forget to buy the book(s)!
Thanks to Prof. David Banister of @UniofOxford Transport Studies Unit
and sponsors @Oxford_Urban @RICSnews and @PrincesFound

PS: Good to see @TfL’s Ben Plowden in the front row tonight