Transport and Carbon – A Fresh Approach
SKM Colin Buchanan has been leading on several innovative projects to help the public sector reduce transport-related carbon emissions. Given an original UK agreement with the EU to reduce all carbon emissions by 80% in 2050 (compared to a 1990 baseline), it is unlikely that transport-related emissions reductions will achieve anywhere near the same reductions as the energy, waste and procurement sectors. Even if a 1% per year reduction were set for road transport emissions for the next 20 years, this would still put total emissions 8% above the 1990 baseline levels (European Commission, 2011). Hence there is a pressing need to understand more about the relationship between transport and carbon and deliver more innovative low carbon projects across the transport planning industry.
RAC Foundation Low Carbon Vehicle Review
Can local authorities be doing more to accelerate the uptake of low carbon vehicles in their areas? Do the incentives they currently outline within their local transport policies go far enough?
SKM Colin Buchanan was appointed by the RAC Foundation to review local incentives for the adoption of low and ultra-low carbon vehicles across the UK. We identified how EU and national legislation powers have been applied to enable an accelerated uptake of low carbon vehicles at a local level. This includes Traffic Management Orders, Planning Policy Guidance, Air Quality Management Area powers, the Traffic Management Act (2004) and signage regulation. However, we found that only a third of councils surveyed have installed public charging points for electric vehicles, and the promotion of green vehicles varies significantly between local authorities. Even the most progressive authorities are only using a fraction of the powers available to them to encourage drivers to use low and ultra-low carbon cars.
David Quarmby, chairman of the RAC Foundation, said: “If government is serious about carbon emission reductions to meet the climate change targets, it should consider the role that local authorities can play in ‘nudging’ the use of lower carbon vehicles of all kinds, and encourage them to use the powers they already have to do so. There seems to be a particular opportunity to tie together and strengthen local authority air quality responsibilities with carbon emission reductions, but it will require central government to take a lead on this to make it happen.”
The full report can be viewed at http://www.racfoundation.org/research/environment/going-green-report
London Borough of Haringey: Measuring long-term carbon reduction
Modelling possible transport-related emissions reductions at a more local level is becoming more relevant as the UK strives to meet its agreement with the EU to reduce all carbon emissions by 80% in 2050 (compared to a 1990 baseline).
SKM Colin Buchanan was commissioned to model the London Borough of Haringey’s transport carbon footprint and consider their emission reductions plan over the long-term. The work is part of Department of Energy and Climate Change’s (DECC) Local Carbon Framework pilot (LCF) – this project focuses on developing a detailed carbon action plan across the transport, housing and energy sectors and aims to achieve a 40% reduction in emissions across the borough by 2020 versus a 2005 baseline.
Using the North London Highway Assignment Model developed by TfL, the study modelled the boroughs current transport emissions (2005) and the estimated emissions in 2020 under a business-as-usual scenario, along with the potential carbon emissions savings from sustainable travel measures defined in the 2nd Local Implementation Plan (LIP) 2011-2031. The result of the modelling identified that a reduction target for reducing ground based transport emissions should be set at around 19% by 2020 and can therefore contribute to nearly half of the 40:20 project goals. The key results are shown below.
The LIP and Smarter Travel carbon abatement measures were also analysed in terms of cost effectiveness to identify the transport measures which should be prioritises in terms of targeting different trip types.
Figure 1 Potential transport-related emissions reductions to 2020
“The final report provides an in-depth analysis of carbon emission modelling scenarios for Haringey’s transport proposals which provides the Council with an invaluable set of data and recommendations for achieving our carbon reduction targets. The Council was particularly impressed with the enthusiasm and additional commitment, beyond the scope of the brief, provided by the consultant to deliver this interesting piece of work.” Edwin Leigh, Transport Planning, Haringey Council
Emissions based parking permits
Designing a parking management strategy on the tailpipe emissions of vehicles can not only increase consumer awareness about their next choice of vehicle but also support other incentives for public transport, cycling and walking.
SKM Colin Buchanan is working with two leading Universities to implement emissions based charging for staff and students. Key elements of the work include the formulation of the business case, financial analysis of revenues and costs and the development of additional incentives for active travel modes, car sharers and occasional car users. We also worked with both Universities to implement Park IT, a web-based system that helps to save time in dealing with criteria-based permit applications. The application can be fully customised and deal with multiple sites and car parks. Printing of permits is automatically generated saving on processing and administration time.
SKM Colin Buchanan has also managed the installation of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology at Loughborough University in order to improve on site enforcement and will also help the University to build up a more accurate staff commuting and business travel carbon footprint.
“LU has worked with CB over the last 12 months on all aspects of Travel Planning. Projects have included surveying staff and students to inform the updated Travel Plan, supporting and advising the University on delivery of a car park management strategy and ensuring planning conditions can be met by the University going forward. CB has met all targets and deadlines set by the University and continually offered flexibility in their approach.” Jo Hasbury, Sustainability Manager, Loughborough University
More about Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM)
Sinclair Knight Merz is a leading projects firm, with global capability in strategic consulting, engineering and project delivery. It operates in three regions: Asia Pacific, the Americas and EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa), deploying some 7,000 people from more than 40 offices while serving the Buildings and Infrastructure, Mining and Metals, Power and Energy and Water and Environment sectors. Formed in 1964 in Sydney as a private company, SKM has retained its independence through employee ownership, with fee income now greater than A$1 billion.