In the last eight years the USA, most of Europe and Australia has started to see reductions in car usage which looks set to continue.
The implications for civil engineers of ‘peak car use’ are discussed in the latest issue (165 DP4) of the ICE’s Urban Design and Planning journal. Peter Newman of Curtin University in Australia looks at possible influencing factors.
Influencing factors
Newman points out that the trend is more prominent with younger people and highlights that a cultural shift has made the car less compatible with modern day lifestyles:
"...young people are finding freedom and flexibility through their smart phones and computers, and that these are less useful in cars than [on public transport] and even easier in the local coffee shop."
He points out that the phenomenon of peak car use will challenge civil engineers and the other professionals who manage urban transport and planning to think differently: "In many cases it will mean a painful transition towards new practices".
Planning ahead
Newman advises civil engineers to stop increasing road capacity and instead focus on using freed-up road space for more sustainable transport modes, including walking. He also suggests planning for an overall 50% reduction in cars, an increase in electric transit systems funded through 'value capture’ and a more polycentric approach to urban design.
For more information, please contact the ICE Proceedings editor Simon Fullalove on +44 20 7665 2448 or at editor@ice.org.uk.