TRANSPORT
Transport is the second highest contributor to greenhouse gases in Ireland – agriculture being the highest.
So what should we be doing about it?
- Decrease the number of Vehicles
- Increase the efficiency of the vehicles on the road – electric cars, hydrogen fuel cars, decarbonise transport fuels
- Increase the efficiency of the drivers
- Eliminate unnecessary journeys
Decrease the number of vehicles on the road.
Smarter Travel: A Sustainable Transport Future – A New Transport Policy for Ireland 2009-2020
This policy document sets out a series of overriding policy objectives which are still relevant, and are summarised as follows:
Future population employment growths will predominantly take place in sustainable compact forms which reduces the need to travel for employment and services.
500,000 more people will use alternative means to commute to work to the extent that the total share of car commuting will drop from 65% to 45%.
Alternatives such as walking, cycling and public transport will be supported and provided to the extent that these will rise to 55% of total commuter journeys to work.
The total kilometres travelled by the car fleet in 2020 will not increase significantly from current levels and should be decreased substantially.
But is it enforced or going to be enforced? There is no sign of implementation at present:
LINK: http://www.antaisce.org/articles/submission-on-a-new-transport-strategy-for-the-greater-dublin-area
Increase the efficiency of the vehicles on the road – electric cars, hydrogen fuel cars, decarbonise transport fuels
Industry and Technology
Industry is working on efficiency – fuel consumption and vehicle technology.
The EU aim is to have vehicles emit only 30g of CO2 per km. In this respect the last few years has seen an increase in concern about climate change from the car industry.
In Europe and to a lesser extent in Japan they are no longer thinking about “conservation” but adaption.
BIOFUEL usage, heralded, as the saviour of the transport sector is fast becoming a false hope, given the competition with food growth and the embodied energy (the amount of energy that goes into growing and processing it). All Irish vehicles are currently using a percentage of biofuels mixed with the petrol or diesel. This is not sustainable as it relies on continued use of imported fossil fuels, and importation of biofuels which displace food production in other countries.
Electric cars and hydrogen fuel cars, trucks and trains should be bought or used. This would drastically reduce greenhouse emissions.
Better use of public transport
In Ireland, rural public transport is very bad indeed, if it exists at all. This situation needs to be changed or taken into our own hands. Perhaps rural transport needs to be organised by rural communities. At least then, we can try to see if public transport can be arranged at times that suit the community.
Encourage walking or cycling
Apart from the health benefits of both walking and cycling, this is plain common sense and where it is possible, we should get into the habit as soon as possible. More cycle paths and pavements would help – and strong political will is required to extend this to rural roads. Educating car users to respect walkers and cyclists is one way that could improve the situation. In time, with construction of proper cycle and pedestrian paths and with fewer cars on the road, walking and cycling will become safer.
Choose a low energy or alternative energy car
Car labelling is here, so choose your car to be as environmentally friendly as possible.
Car sharing
This can be very useful, but not everyone knows who else is going their way and at what time. This is where the community may be able to help. The school bus is parked during the day – could this not be developed to accommodate some services for the rural community?
Regular services of old cars
Check when your car was last serviced – a car running well saves on fuel and a poorly running car increases the pollution into the atmosphere.
Flexible working hours
Being flexible means that, if you have to travel by car, you will not be in traffic jams, which waste a lot of fuel. Where colleagues live near each other, having flexible hours means a better chance to car-share or catch public transport, if it exists.
Teleworking
With better broadband becoming available, teleworking is becoming a feasible option for many jobs and professions.
Workplace travel plans
If a group of people work together, the company should try to arrange transport for them to get to work. This has proven successful in the UK and in Canada.
Check your tyre pressures regularly
If tyre pressure is only 25% down, your fuel consumption will be up by 2%.
Smooth Driving
Drive at a steady speed. Acceleration and deceleration uses fuel, so it is always more fuel efficient to drive at a constant, slower speed. Use the highest gear possible and with low engine revs. When you have to slow down or stop, gently release the accelerator in good time, leaving the car in gear. By watching the road ahead your driving will become smoother, safer and more economical.
Speed of driving
Each car is designed to have a speed at which it is most efficient – find out what it is and save by not speeding.
Avoid idling
Switch off your engine when stopping at traffic lights and in queues. At short stops you can save about 0.5 – 2 litres of fuel per hour, depending on your engine type. So, switch off if you expect to be stopped for just 20 seconds or more. It is an easy thing to do and it will save fuel and money. When you re-start, you don’t need to use the accelerator.
The weight of the vehicle
Do not carry heavy things in the boot or use your car roof rack when you don’t need to. Anything that would interfere with the air dynamics, like opening the back windows, will increase the fuel consumption - up to 10% loss.
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