Posts Tagged ‘transport’
Join the commuter revolution: Register for Ride To Work Day
Posted in Events, Movements by Elysia on July 20th, 2010
More and more Australians are joining the commuter revolution, and they want the world to know about it. Record numbers are registering for Ride to Work Day on 13 October, and are proud to proclaim their commitment to a healthier and congestion-free way to get to work. Ride to Work Day, the only nationally recognised event of it kind, provides a day in the workplace calendar for those thinking about commuting by bike to start or re-energise cycling habits deterred by the winter months.
Ride to Work Day registrations are crucial in ensuring the continuous improvement of bike facilities across Australia. Ride to Work Day spokesperson, Mr Max Goonan, said the biggest barrier to riding to work was poor facilities. “Registering for Ride to Work Day is a sure way for bike riders to make their ride count,” Mr Goonan said. “Registering your support is a critical means of capturing valuable data on bike commuting.” “We use this data to convince Governments and business that there is massive support for riding to work amongst Australians, and that it is time to get investment rolling to meet the burgeoning demand.” Bicycle Network’s Ride to Work twelve month behavior change program has been a strong influence in the dramatic increase of people choosing to ride to work. Ride to Work Day post-event surveys revealed that over 50% of those who weren’t riding to work in 2009 are now riding to work in 2010.
Register online for Ride to Work Day 2010 at https://ride2work.com.au/register/
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Bike Futures 2010 Conference: Call for Papers
Posted in Seeking by Kate Archdeacon on July 15th, 2010
Source: Friends of the Earth Melbourne
The 2010 Bike Futures conference is a once a year opportunity for national and local leaders, planners, designers and builders to come together around the opportunities and challenges we all face in meeting the ever rising demand for bicycle transportation. The 2010 Conference will tackle issues specific to bike transportation such as:
• Separating riders from traffic and tuning traffic signals
• Designing effective shared paths and developing shared use
• Applying the new AustRoads guidelines
• Links to workplaces and public transport and end of trip facilities
• Bikes plans, land use and high return investments
The Conference will bring you up to date with the latest and best solutions. The practical presentations will enable you to unlock the solutions to the problems you face and take advantage of the many benefits that bike riding brings to your community. If you feel that you are struggling on your own with bike issues the conference will put you in the network. Participants last year said things like ‘From a professional perspective it puts us in touch with a whole lot of people who we would normally not meet’. Bike Futures is a Bicycle Network project that supports people who are working in, with or alongside Local Government in Australasia.
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne: Thursday 14th – Friday 15th October 2010
The Call for Papers is open until August 31st.
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Hoddle Street Planning: Have Your Say
Posted in Policies, Seeking by Kate Archdeacon on July 14th, 2010
Source: Victoria Walks
Hoddle Street is often choked with traffic and is an unpleasant environment for walking. What ideas do you have about making this street more vibrant and people friendly?
VicRoads is currently undertaking a planning study to investigate options to improve the efficiency and reliability of all modes of transport along Hoddle Street, from the Eastern Freeway to just north of the M1 Freeway (Citylink). As with any transport planning investigation, it is important that we understand the interests, issues and concerns of all users – so we want to know what you think.
Project description
Hoddle Street is critical to north-south and east-west transport movements in inner Melbourne and to the flow of Eastern Freeway traffic to and from the CBD. As conditions change and demand continues to increase, the challenge will be to find ways to reduce congestion and improve transport flow whilst considering the needs and safety of pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users. The study will examine key issues and investigate potential solutions, including grade separations and opportunities to enhance the efficiency of public transport.
Have your say
Your input is important in helping us better understand key issues relating to congestion, public transport, pedestrian and bicycle use, land use planning and urban design. Join in the discussion by clicking through on the questions on the website. You will be asked to register to participate, your privacy is protected and your name and email will never be disclosed.
Here’s your chance to join the discussion and help promote a more walking friendly environment!
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Street Directories designed for Public Transport Users
Posted in Models by Kate Archdeacon on June 24th, 2010
Public Transport Guides was started by two unemployed people in the town of Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia:
“While living in Perth, Western Australia, we did not know the local public transport network. After visiting the public transport information centre in the CBD, we were handed 500 A4 paper timetables and were told to buy a street directory, or alternatively, to get on to the government authority’s website. Both of these methods are unsuitable for tourists, people who rely totally on public transport, and those with no internet access. There had to be another way, so Public Transport Guides was born!”
The directory is designed just like a regular street directory, with detailed maps, a street and Facilites index , and all current timetables for each area are in this directory. The directory is designed with both the regular commuter and occasional user in mind. Inside you will find all the urban and country bus and connecting train services throughout, Victoria, Australia. The book is in A5 format for ease of carrying in backpacks, briefcases etc.
Visit the website for more information.
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Environmentally, Socially and Economically Sustainable Mobility: Seminar
Posted in Research by Tahl.Kestin on June 3rd, 2010
You are invited to hear Dr Janet Stanley present some of the preliminary findings from Monash-led research that looks at the links between transport, social inclusion and sustainability. The findings touch on issues such as the value of mobility, the role of mobility in facilitating social inclusion and improving wellbeing, how people adjust when they have poor mobility options, and policy needed to reduce the transport emissions footprint. The research, which has been mostly funded under an ARC project, has brought together a multi-disciplinary team of researchers from transport planning, economics, geography, social policy and psychology, as well as researchers at two levels of government.
About the speaker
Janet Stanley is a Chief Research Officer at the Monash Sustainability Institute. Prior to her current role, Janet was Senior Manager, Research and Policy at the Brotherhood of St. Laurence. Janet’s current research interests are in relation to social policy, transport, equity and policy on climate change, bushfire arson, social exclusion, social capital and community development, and project evaluation. Janet is a member on the Ministerial Advisory Council for the Victorian Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Innovation. Janet has many publications and speaks widely in Australia and internationally. Books include: Currie, G., Stanley, J., Stanley, J., (eds) (2007) No Way to Go: Transport and Social Disadvantage in Australian Communities.
For further information see the MSI Seminars & Events webpage.
Date: Thursday, 10th June, 2010
Time: 1:00–2:00 pm
Venue: Monash Sustainability Institute, Building 74, Clayton
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Transition Management: Institute for Social Research
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on May 27th, 2010
Presenter
Professor Derk Loorbach, Dutch Research Institute for Transitions, Erasmus University, Rotterdam and Visiting Distinguished Researcher at the Institute for Social Research at Swinburne University of Technology
The issue
Australia has ‘inherited’ from the 20th century highly liveable but unsustainable cities, and a very cheap but unsustainable energy system. These and other challenges have been catalogued in Transitions: Pathways Towards Sustainable Urban Development in Australia (2008, Springer and CSIRO Publishers). Visions of where our urban, water, energy, transport and housing systems could be by 2050 have been advanced, but the process of transformation is proving to be intractable.
Towards a solution
Professor Derk Loorbach is a pioneer in Transition Management (TM) and author of a 2007 book with that title. At the Dutch Research Institute for Transitions (DRIFT) at Erasmus University, he and his colleagues have led several major TM initiatives, including a national energy transition program, urban transitions in Rotterdam Harbour and city, among many others. Professor Loorbach will outline the TM process invented at DRIFT, together with case studies, and reflect on its potential for application in Australia.
Running sheet for the event
Professor Peter Newton from ISR at Swinburne University of Technology will briefly outline AHURI’s Greyfield Regeneration project he is leading with Monash and RMIT Universities before introducing Professor Loorbach.Following Professor Loorbach’s presentation there will be a brief wrap-up by ARUP who will introduce the Melbourne Transformation Cluster initiative. The session concludes with light refreshments, drinks and informal networking.
When
5.30pm – 7.00pm Thursday 10 June 2010 (presentation followed by drinks and light refreshments)
Where
Level 5, 215 Spring Street Melbourne (ARUP)
RSVP
Before Monday 7 June 2010 Email: isradmin@swin.edu.au Telephone: 03 9214 5978 (seating is limited)
www.sisr.net
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Fuelling Future Vehicles in Australia: Information Evening
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on May 5th, 2010
Source: Friends of the Earth Melbourne
Dr David Lamb will highlight the challenges facing Australia. There is a potential risk that oil imports will grow from current levels of 55 percent to more than 80 percent in the next decade, with dramatic effect on Australia’s balance of trade. He will discuss the issues that need to be addressed to reduce Australia’s oil dependence by adopting alternative fuels and technologies such as hybrids and electric cars powered from renewable energy. He will also explain the risks and benefits of the alternatives.
Dr Lamb worked for 28 years in the motor industry in Australia and around the world. From 1992 to 2003 he was Chief Executive of the CSIRO Australian Automotive Technology Centre and was responsible for the CSIRO Low Emission Vehicle project that resulted in two hybrid electric show cars. Now retired from CSIRO, Dr Lamb consults on automotive technology and strategy.
Date: Wednesday 12th May
Venue: Stonnington Depot, 293 Tooronga Road, Malvern
Time: 7pm – 8.30pm
Limited seating, registration is essential. Go to www.stonnington.vic.gov.au/environmentalevents or call 8290 2061.
Your sustainable transport guide: Business
Posted in Research by Kate Archdeacon on April 30th, 2010
Source: GreenRazor, the GreenPages Newsletter
Your Sustainable Transport Guide: how to drive better transport decisions for your business
As strong advocates for sustainable transport, Greenfleet and The Net Balance Foundation have teamed up to develop Your Sustainable Transport Guide, to help businesses take action to reduce their transport footprint. The Guide was developed as a practical ‘how to’ guide, offering suggestions that any business can implement now, as well as examples highlighting ways that some businesses have already taken action in this area.
The Guide is written in four parts:
1. Generic Principles and Approach – high level discussion and framework
2. The Approach in Detail – more extensive information, examples and hints
3. Quick Guide for Sustainable Transport – a checklist of suggestions
4. Summary of Resources – an internet reference guide
Visit the website to read more or download the Guide.
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Electric Cars: Not good enough
Posted in Opinion by Kate Archdeacon on April 29th, 2010
Source: Going Solar Transport Newsletter
“There’s no quick fix to either the energy shortage or climate change. In the longer term, we’re all going to have to use less energy, and that means smaller houses, less plastic junk that we don’t really need and less wasted trips in our cars.”
From Electric Cars a Major Environmental Threat:
Despite their ‘green’ image, electric cars are often less efficient and more polluting than the petrol cars they replace, according to a major report released today [23-03-10]. The 168-page report, titled The Emperor’s New Car, is described as a ‘long-overdue reality check’ by its author, car expert Clive Matthew-Wilson. The report was prepared in consultation with several internationally-recognised energy experts. Matthew-Wilson, who edits the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide, says: “The car industry is selling a false image of efficient, environmentally-friendly electric cars powered by ‘green’ energy. In reality, electric cars often aren’t very efficient and aren’t very green.”
The report was highly critical of the iconic Tesla electric sports car, which has become the international symbol of chic, environmentally-responsible motoring. “The Tesla is actually not very efficient at all. Most of Tesla’s publicity focuses on the efficiency of its electric motor. What they don’t tell you is that its batteries are heavy, inefficient and that Teslas are frequently powered by electricity from highly polluting power stations.”
“Despite what most people believe, a high percentage of the world’s electricity is produced using dirty fuels like coal. This isn’t going to change anytime soon; in fact, the widespread introduction of electric cars will probably increase the world’s reliance on coal in order to keep up with the increased demand for electricity.”
“Claims that electric cars are ‘emissions-free’ are simply a lie; they merely transfer the pollution from the road to the power station. Not only will electric cars not reduce emissions, they may actually increase emissions, because burning coal to make electricity to power an electric car creates more pollution than if you simply powered the same vehicle using petrol.”
“Renewable energy sources may be growing fast, but they’re still a tiny percentage of the world’s electricity supply and they’ll stay that way for the foreseeable future, because renewable energy sources tend to be far more expensive than fossil fuels.”
Read the rest of this entry »
ATA Electric Vehicle Interest Group: First Meeting
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on April 8th, 2010
Source: Alternative Technology Association
Join us in launching the ATA Melbourne Electric Vehicle Interest Group (MEVIG)!
Michael Jacombs will kick off the evening by giving a brief history of the idea behind the group and also the structure of the group. Members will be able to highlight projects they’re working on and there will be an opportunity for questions from attendees. This will be followed with an introduction to Swinburne’s Faculty of Engineering & Industrial Sciences by Clint Steele who is the Senior Lecturer in Product Design Engineering. Stefan Skos and Mathew Femin, Swinburne students, will talk about their electric car project. Then there is an opportunity to view Swinburne’s workshop and their SAE electric racing car. The meeting location has been chosen in order to encourage a healthy and mutually beneficial relationship between a mature, enthusiastic and experienced EV community and the students and staff of the Faculty of Engineering & Industrial Sciences at Swinburne Uni. This is the faculty that assisted CERES in completing their car and has also independently built an SAE standard electric racing car. …Download the full meeting agenda.
The ideas behind this branch:
- Connect people interested in EVs with other like minded people
- To encourage the exchange of EV conversion ideas and experiences
- To foster and support the introduction of electric vehicles
- To work with CERES, the AEVA and other organisations in promoting EVs
- Whilst the group will almost certainly be focussed on cars, it will not be restricted to them, so planes, boats, trains, mowers, roller skates etc will also be embraced