01368024

Component

Sustainability is a major concern throughout the world today; it is both a challenge and opportunity. Issues of air quality, energy, land consumption, traffic congestion, economic vitality and equity are especially important in urban America. This paper addresses sustainability in general and transportation in particular. It defines basic concepts, identifies key parameters, and indicates both challenges and opportunities. Achieving sustainability in transportation is essential since the transportation sector accounts for about one-third of the annual carbon dioxide emissions from fuel consumption. The paper identifies existing transportation system deficiencies and suggests ways to address them. Since transport is keyed to land development, ways to achieve more sustainable development are also identified. Common goals are more compact development, increased walkability and greater public transport use. If sustainability is to be achieved in the years ahead, new approaches to transportation and land development will be required. It will be necessary to temper or perhaps even reverse many past trends, and to create a more pedestrian and transit-oriented metropolis, while maintaining mobility for motorists. It also will be essential to develop new, safe and affordable motor vehicle technologies that minimize emissions.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ADD40 Transportation and Sustainability

01362476

12-3592

English

23p

2012

Transportation Research Board 91st Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; References; Tables

Climate change; Fuel conservation; Land use planning; Strategic planning; Sustainable development; Sustainable transportation; Urban development

Energy; Environment; Planning and Forecasting; Transportation (General); I15: Environment

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2012 Paper #12-3592

TRIS, TRB

Feb 8 2012 5:17PM