PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION

1
PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION

• By
• Michael Kieran
• Transportation Consulting Principal
• IBI Group
• Presentation to the
• Government Industry Briefing
• Co-Hosted by the
• Canadian Transportation Agency and the Railway
  Association of Canada
• March 7, 2002

2
Presentation Outline

• Purpose of the Presentation
• Transportation Blueprint Initiative
• Sustainable Transportation Principles
• Issues
• Policy Challenges
• Some examples
• Policy Options
• Conclusions

3
Purpose of This Report

• RAC is an active participant in the
  Transportation Blueprint for the 21st Century
  and Beyond
• IBI Group prepared a report to promote
  sustainable transportation for RAC members to
  consider in connection with the blueprint
  initiative

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Transportation Blueprint Initiative

• Transportation Blueprint launched in April, 2001,
  with 9 challenges we zero in on environment,
  integration and innovation
• Transport Canada Strategy for Sustainable
  Development 2001 2003
• Canada Transportation Act Review
• National Action Plan 2000 on Climate Change
• Federal budget, December 10, 2001

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Sustainable Transportation Principles

• Environmental pollution prevention protection
  and conservation stewardship
• Economic efficiency cost internalization
  affordability
• Social safety and health access and choice
  quality of life
• These three forces should act together, not in
  opposition.

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Issues

• In 1999, 35 of the total Canadian energy use was
  in transportation 2020 consumption will be 50
  greater than 1990, if business as usual
• Road vehicles account for 72 of transport energy
  consumption and 81 of petroleum fuel usage 2/3
  of the emissions of GHGs
• Urban areas and congested spots, like border
  crossings, are crucial to overall attainment of
  goals.

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Issues Contd

• Challenge for sustainability is greatest in major
  urban centres, and is rooted in Canadians
  dependence on roads for everything that moves
• Broad strategies are needed -- pan-modal,
  integrated, innovative and, BOLD
• Demand (people and goods short and long
  distances through and within urban centres) and
  supply (capacity additions utilization of
  infrastructure)

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Policy Challenges

• Making tough choices
• Transportation corridors and terminals to support
  social and economic priorities resolve
  conflicts.
• Internalization of costs consistent between modes
  and comprehensive to reflect sustainability goals
  link actions and consequences.
• Balance risks and rewards leadership needed.
• Measurement is keyfill gaps.

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Some examples

• Fiscal, regulatory and voluntary elements are
  combined to meet sustainability policy
  objectives.
• Sweden uses market forces after incorporating
  externalities into prices fiscal policies.
• Germany concentrates on voluntary initiatives
  working with industry associations.
• The Netherlands coordinated use of all three
  elements.

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Policy Options

• Option 1 project-specific public support for
  strategic rail-related investments risk
  sharing.
• Option 2 federal roads and transport funding
  agency. Earmark federal road and railway taxes,
  possibly include incentives.
• Option 3 provincial agencies plus an
  inter-governmental coordinating body. Earmark
  federal and provincial road and railway fuel
  taxes. Efficient road user charges.

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Criteria and Weights

• Criteria are drawn from sustainable
  transportation principles (environmental,
  economic and social)
• Feasibility added as a criterion
• Measurement indicators identified in broad terms
• Un-weighted assessment relative to status quo
• Alternative weighting schemes demonstrated to
  reflect different possible policy priorities

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Conclusions

• Option 3 is the most sustainable under various
  weighting schemes.
• Leadership and stability are missing
  opportunity for the Blueprint.
• Tough choices to be made, results will take time
  no easy pickings for a smooth start.
• Funding is crucial TC Strategic Transportation
  Infrastructure Program and Strategic
  Infrastructure Foundation open doors for
  provinces and cities.