Green transport hierarchy

From HandWiki
Short description: Prioritising vulnerable sustainable road users


The Green transport hierarchy (Canada), street user hierarchy (US), sustainable transport hierarchy (Wales),[1] urban transport hierarchy or road user hierarchy (Australia, UK)[2] is a hierarchy of modes of transport of road users prioritising green transport. It is the basic concept of transport reform groups worldwide.[3][4] In 2020, the UK government consulted about adding to the Highway Code a road user hierarchy prioritising pedestrians.[5] It is a key characteristic of Australian transport planning.[6]

Green transport hierarchy
Pedestrians
Bicycles
Public transit
Trucks and commercial vehicles
Taxis
High occupancy vehicles
Cars and single occupancy vehicles

History

The Green Transportation Hierarchy: : A Guide for Personal & Public Decision-Making, by Chris Bradshaw, was first published September 1994[7] and revised June 2004.[citation needed] It was first prepared for Ottawalk and the Transportation Working Committee of the Ottawa-Carleton Round-table on the Environment in January 1992 only stating 'Walk, Cycle, Bus, Truck, Car'.[8]

Factors

  1. Mode
  2. Energy source
  3. Trip length
  4. Trip speed
  5. Vehicle size
  6. Passenger load factor
  7. Trip segment
  8. Trip purpose
  9. Traveller

Adoption

The author directed the hierarchy at both individual lifestyle choices and public authorities who should officially direct their resources; funds, moral suasion, and formal sanctions – based on the factors.

Bradshaw described the hierarchy to be logical, but the effect of applying it will seem radical. [9]

The model rejects the concept of the balanced transportation system, where users are assumed to be free to choose between many options. This is because choices incorporating factors that are ranked low generally have a high impact on other choices.

See also

References

External links