TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION
OECD International Conference, Vancouver Canada

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Session 2C - Urban and Suburban Transportation

Abstract of address by Neal Irwin

Canadian Work on Sustainable Urban Transport

Following a brief commentary on urban transportation sustainability objectives and shortfalls in Canada, the paper presents highlights of Canadian approaches to date in working towards more sustainable urban transport, including the five following types of initiatives:

1. Planning and delivery of more compact, mixed-use and pedestrian-friendly urban areas;
2. Planning and delivery of efficient and effective transportation networks and systems;
3. Transportation demand and supply management, including pricing and other incentives for more sustainable behaviour by transportation users;
4. Technology improvements, including more energy-efficient, less polluting vehicles; and
5. Outreach, public information and voluntary programs supporting initiatives towards more sustainable transportation.

Estimates of existing transportation energy consumption and airborne emissions levels in Canadian cities are presented along with short term projections under alternative growth rate and policy scenarios. Longer term considerations are discussed briefly, noting that while land use, transportation system, technological and outreach initiatives will all be important, transportation demand/supply management strategies, including pricing incentives, are expected to be critically important in moving towards sustainable urban transportation.

It is anticipated that the other two papers to be presented at the Urban and Suburban Transportation session will focus on problems concerning urban and suburban transportation sustainability and on possible solutions in the urban context, both drawing primarily on European experience. Complementing those presentations, the focus in this paper will be on suburban initiatives in the North American context, drawing on recent Canadian experience.

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