Sustainable transport refers to the broad subject of transport that is or approaches being sustainable. It includes vehicles, energy, infrastructure, road, railways, airways, waterways, canals, pipeline, and terminals.Transport operations and logistics as well as transit oriented development are involved. Transportation sustainability is largely being measured by transportation system effectiveness and efficiency as well as the environmental impacts of the system.
A sustainable economy is one in which our resources are not used up faster than nature renews them and benefits are shared equitably. Profitability is the product of thriving ecosystems and communities. Our shared assets are not sacrificed for short term profit. Pursuing sustainability has grown from the work of a few idealists to being a mainstream concept. The concept of sustainability has become a driver for a new generation of products and business practices.
Transport systems are major emitters of greenhouse gases, responsible for 23% of world energy-related GHG emissions in 2004, with about three quarters coming from road vehicles. Currently 95% of transport energy comes from petroleum. Energy is consumed in the manufacture as well as the use of vehicles, and is embodied in transport infrastructure including roads, bridges and railways. The environmental impacts of transport can be reduced by improving the walking and cycling environment in cities, and by enhancing the role of public transport, especially electric rail.
Green vehicles are intended to have less environmental impact than equivalent standard vehicles, although when the environmental impact of a vehicle is assessed over the whole of its life cycle this may not be the case. Green vehicles are more fuel efficient, but only in comparison with standard vehicles, and they still contribute to traffic congestion and road crashes. Well- patronized public transport networks based on traditional diesel buses use less fuel per passenger than private vehicles, and are generally safer and use less road space than private vehicles. Green public transport vehicles including electric trains, trams and electric buses combine the advantages of green vehicles with those of sustainable transport choices. Other transport choices with very low environmental impact are cycling and other human powered vehicles, and animal powered transport. The most common green transport choice, with the least environmental impact is walking
Transport plays an important role in economic and social development and can be powerful catalysts to sustainability through providing inter connectivity, learning and development, elements that are essential to women and their empowerment as well as to other marginal groups, the poor and those living in isolated areas. The social and economic dimensions of transport use show that the poor and marginal groups living in rural areas often walk, or use non-motorized transports (cycles, rickshaw vans, animal carts) that are environment-friendly and do not account for GHG emissions.
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