What is environmentally friendly traffic planning?
Environmentally friendly transport planning is a process that aims to develop transport systems and infrastructure in such a way that they reduce environmental impacts and promote sustainable development. This means, among other things, reducing carbon dioxide emissions, improving air quality, reducing noise nuisance and preserving biodiversity. Environmentally friendly traffic planning takes into account both current and future needs and strives to find a balance between economic, social and environmental perspectives.
What does environmentally friendly traffic planning include?
Environmentally friendly traffic planning includes several different areas and measures, which can be divided into the following categories:
- Development of public transport: Promoting the use of public transport, such as buses, trams and trains, reduces the need for private cars and therefore also transport emissions. This may include, for example, opening new routes, improving timetables and simplifying ticket systems.
- Promoting light traffic: Favoring walking and cycling is an important part of environmentally friendly traffic planning. This can mean, for example, building bike paths, adding pedestrian streets and planning safe crossings.
- Electrification of traffic: Promoting the use of electric vehicles reduces carbon dioxide emissions from traffic. This may include, for example, the construction of charging stations and purchase subsidies for electric cars.
- Smoothing traffic: Improving traffic flow reduces fuel consumption and emissions. This can mean, for example, the optimization of traffic lights, the introduction of congestion charges and the utilization of smart traffic solutions.
- Consolidation of the community structure: A tighter community structure reduces the need to move and enables more efficient use of public transport. This may include, for example, urban planning that favors compact and multi-use areas.
Examples of environmentally friendly traffic planning
Many cities around the world have implemented various environmentally friendly traffic planning solutions. Here are some examples:
- Copenhagen, Denmark: Copenhagen is known as a cycling city with an extensive and well-planned network of bike paths. The city has invested heavily in cycling infrastructure and encourages its residents to cycle.
- Curitiba, Brazil: Curitiba has developed an innovative public transport system based on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). This system is an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bus traffic.
- Helsinki, Finland: Helsinki has invested in the development of public transport and the introduction of electronic means of transport. The city also has an extensive bicycle path network and several pedestrian streets.
Summary
Environmentally friendly traffic planning is a key part of sustainable development and the fight against climate change. It includes the development of public transport, the promotion of light transport, the electrification of transport, the smoothing of traffic and the densification of the community structure. Examples from different cities show that environmentally friendly traffic planning is possible and that it can bring significant benefits to both the environment and residents.
For more information on environmentally friendly traffic planning, you can read for example Ympäristö.fi and Traficom websites.
