Investments in public transport are a relatively expensive way to make transportation more sustainable. Focusing on electric transport, teleworking or building in the vicinity of train stations is much more effective. Increasing frequencies is a more efficient investment in public transport than constructing more Park and Rides. This becomes apparent from research performed by Ties Brands of Goudappel Coffeng, for the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research. He hopes to obtain his doctoral degree at the University of Twente on 15 October.
Brands constructed a mathematical model to calculate possible measures in the field of sustainable transport, in order to find the best 'compromise' between policy objectives that sometimes compete with each other. Brands: "Faster travel, less CO2 emission and more space in the city by saving on parking space. A transport region wants everything, and everything is possible. Just not at the same time, given limitations in funds and means. With my model I look for the best value for money." The model has been tested in the Amsterdam urban region. Brands realized that during every morning rush, the city could save on about 4,000 hours of travel time, the space used for 2,000 parked cars or more than 12 tonnes of CO2 emission. Just not all at the same time. Brands: "You have to make a choice."
Save six minutes of travel time for one euro
Brands' model, applied to the Amsterdam urban region, calculates that each euro in subsidy invested in the public transport system generally results in six minutes less travel time, 0.07 less parked cars and 0.5 kilos decreased CO2 emission. The study shows that public transport measures used to help achieve climate objectives are relatively expensive, namely €1.10 per kilo of CO2 emission. However, stricter environmental requirements for vehicles 'only' cost €0.11 per kilo. The costs of encouraging the use of electric vehicles comes out at €0.35 per kilo.
P+R costs CO2
Constructing Park and Ride facilities is one of the measures investigated by Brands: "Generally speaking this improves total travel time in an area. However, it is not a good measure with regards to climate. In addition to motorists travelling the last stretch by public transport, an inverse effect also occurs: certain users of public transport will now first drive their car to the new Park and Ride. The total CO2 emission increases. A better investment would be to have more trains run per hour. This is a good solution for both travel time, space usage and CO2 emission. Something similar applies to bus routes, though the effect is less marked."
We won't manage it just with small measures
Increasing frequencies is therefore more sensible than constructing more Park and Rides. "However," says Brands, "If you really want to work on achieving climate objectives, it is not enough to just make the public transport system more attractive to travellers. Of all the measures I have calculated, a fixed kilometre tax for cars is by far the most effective solution for both space usage and CO2 objectives. We will also have to attempt to prevent or shorten travels. This may be achieved by focusing on teleworking or offering services over the internet, or considering other options in urban planning: building new houses and developing employment opportunities in the vicinity of train stations."
Background information
Ties Brands' doctoral researcher titled "Multi-objective optimisation of multimodal passenger transportation networks" is part of the "Strategy towards Sustainable and Reliable Multi-modal Transport in the Randstad" programme, which is part of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research programme "Sustainable Accessibility of the Randstad, the urban agglomeration of Western Holland" (Duurzame Bereikbaarheid van de Randstad). Prof. dr. ir. Eric van Berkum served as thesis supervisor. The public defence takes place on 15 October 2015, at 14:30 in the Waaier building on the University of Twente campus in Enschede.
