Cure
found for unhealthy transport
It is recognised that transport can be bad for you.
Transport causes trauma, pollution, and social exclusion and can contribute to physical
inactivity. In the 1990s the World Health Organisation identified transport as one of the
major social determinants of health and health inequalities in western countries.
The soon-to-be-released report, Healthy Transport, Healthy People, ventures into
new territory by exploring how transport can be more health-supporting and less
health-damaging.
Sydney, like other world cities, is experiencing rapid population growth. Yet urban
development has not been matched by investment in public transport or provision of cycling
facilities and improvements to footpaths and urban spaces. Trauma rates have dropped, but
this improvement will be challenged by population increase and the growing proportion of
people over 60 who have higher crash involvement rates. The report advocates responses
that factor in these challenges, are proactive and promote social sustainability.
Habitual car use contributes to the second leading cause of years lost to
life—physical inactivity. To reverse this trend, travel behaviour needs to change. Healthy
Transport, Healthy People recommends actions to increase active transport and reduce
car use.
The volume identifies two key models that will reduce growth in vehicle travel by
decreasing the number of trips and diverting travel onto modes other than the motor
vehicle.
Since the 1970s there has been a significant decline in levels of walking and cycling
across Australia. Physical activity is widely regarded as the ‘best buy’ for
public health because it almost halves the risk not only of cardiovascular disease, but
also reduces the risk of diabetes, osteoporosis, colon cancer, and reduces anxiety and
depression. The volume looks at how to incorporate the most cost-effective, enduring way
of increasing physical activity through ‘active transport’.
As more than a third of the greenhouse gas emissions from a typical Australian household
are from transport, Healthy Transport, Healthy People advocates opportunities for
people to reduce their motor vehicle-related use. Another area of transport pollution that
the volume explores is noise which can adversely affect social amenity and wellbeing.
The authors concede that it will not be easy to change the way we travel. They stress that
governments will continue to need evidence that it is necessary to actively provide and
promote sustainable transport alternatives and create disincentives to short distance
urban motorcar use.
The community will need to be c1early informed of the benefits that changing travel
behaviour brings. The community will also have to be convinced that the alternatives on
offer are viable, affordable and safe.
For the community and for government, one of the most influential factors in effecting a
change in travel behaviour should be a full understanding of the health consequences of
increasing dependency on motor vehicles.
Healthy Transport, Healthy People takes the initiative by increasing this
understanding and advocating actions for health that address the need for interventions at
all levels. |
Sustainable Transport in Sustainable Cities
Principal
Sponsors
Leighton Contractors
Rail Infrastructure Corporation
State Rail Authority of NSW
Platinum
Sponsors
Bishop Austrans
Bovis Lend Lease
Holden Ltd
Macquarie Infrastructure Group
Main Roads Qld and Queensland Transport
Qantas Airways Ltd
Vic. Department of Infrastructure
WALTER Construction Group
Gold Sponsors
AMP Henderson Global Investors
Baulderstone Hornibrook
Department of Transport and Regional Services
Landcom
LSM Projects
Tyco Integrated Systems
Bronze Sponsors
Australian
Greenhouse Office
CSIRO Mathematical and Information Sciences
Department of Industry Science and Resources
Egis Consulting
Elgas Limited
Holroyd City Council
North Sydney Council
Willoughby Council
Sponsors
Bureau
of Transport Economics
Cardno MBK
Gutteridge Haskins & Davey
Printacall
Sinclair Knight Merz Pty Ltd
State Transit Authority |
DIARY DATES
April to July 2002
A series of ICT Cluster Forums,
on Thursdays at 8.30 for 9.00 am
Contact Fiona Hearne
4 April Microelectronics Cluster
2 May Photonics & Opto-electronics
23 May Electronics Manufacture Cluster
13 June Embedded Software/Software Cluster
4 July New Media Cluster
Venue: NSW Trade &
Investment Centre, Grosvenor Place, 225 George Stree, SYDNEY
May 2002
2002 Innovation Lecture
"Why is it so difficult to develop great ideas and inventions in
Australia: Australians can make it".
The 2002 Innovation Lecture by Dr Jim Fox, Managing Director, Vision Systems Limited, Dr
Fox has particular expertise in establishing and building international, technology based
businesses.
8 May : Melbourne - Vision Systems, Mt
Waverley, 6pm for lecture and cocktail reception
9 May : Sydney - The Regent Hotel, 6pm for lecture and cocktail
reception
Sponsored by: AusIndustry, Baldwin Shelston Waters & Macquarie Bank
Contact Fiona Hearne
Sustainable Transport in Sustainable Cities - May 2002
Launch of the Sustainable Transport in Sustainable Cities
project report and recommendations.
For information and registrations, Contact Fiona
Hearne
4 - 6 September 2002
Computers in Manufacturing Expo 2002
Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre Darling Harbour
www.cimexpo.com.au
contact Jeremy Nathan
ttelephone (02) 9319 3099, email Jeremy.Nathan@industracom.com
Fiona Hearne can be
contacted by email by clicking on the links above or by phone on (02) 93517205 or fax on
(02) 9351 2012.
|
