A brief look at why and how we can transition into a sustainable transport future

1. Building
a
transport
system
for
a
sustainable
society
Katja Leyendecker
Eur.Ing CEng C.WEM MCIWEM
Water engineer
Newcastle Cycling Campaign

2. The Engineering Challenges of Sustainable Transport
Infrastructure…what do engineers do all day?
Utilities (gas, water, electricity) - grids and generation
Communication (broadband, television, radio, mobile phone, landline)
Water and disposal (sewage, landfill, transfer stations)
Flood and water (rivers, streams, canals, dams, reservoirs)
Transport (roads and streets, bridges, rail, ports, airports, freight
distribution centres, bus / light rail / local transport)

3. Stress on society
Big national projects
Economic growth
Population
Consumption

Decentralised community
solutions
Sustainability = living in a finite
habitat

4. Transport emissions

5. Modal shift - proposed
“Sustrans calls on UK governments to invest in doubling the number of journeys under five
miles made by foot, bike and public transport to four out of five by 2020.”

6. What we know
People who currently cycle,
cycle regardless of the current
conditions
The majority of people don't
cycle
And they tell us they don't cycle
because cycling
• is for kids and not normal for
adults
• there is no safe space for
cycling

7. What we know
Political will
Steady funding /
investment
Technical expertise,
engineering and land use
planning

8. Do we ‘need’ the car?
What can other countries tell us?
The transitioned countries : Netherlands, Denmark Germany
The transitioners: Spain (Sevilla), Ireland (Dublin), US (New York City)

9. The six building blocks for sustainable urban transport

10. The six building blocks for sustainable urban transport
citywide plan is needed,
cabinet, policy
implications, car parking
policy, city centre bus
route rationalisation,
question traffic flow model,
transport transition
debate, car restraint

11. The six building blocks for sustainable urban transport
clearer space will
remove conflict, road
classification, all
roads over 30mph
need cycle-specific
infrastructure

12. The six building blocks for sustainable urban transport
creating ownership,
removing rat-runs,
install gateways and
necking-down
corners, calmer
streets, streets for
people

13. The six building blocks for sustainable urban transport
prioritise walking
and cycling, many
different concepts,
Newcastle should
innovate

14. The six building blocks for sustainable urban transport
Newcastle's 20mph
conversion is
incomplete, community
speed surveys, speed
reduction is not always
enough, cycle
infrastructure may still
be required

15. The six building blocks for sustainable urban transport
promote cycle
routes, talking
positively about
walking and cycling,
discouraging car use

16. What would it look like?

17. People
of
all
ages,
abilities
and
backgrounds

22. Youn
g
And
Old

26. Thank you