It is consultation time again for transport in the UK (Transport sector blog, "The government wants to hear from you," 1 April 2009). You might, though, miss this in the recent splurge of documents on climate change policy, which were put out simultaneously by at least three government departments (those responsible for Energy and Climate Change, Business and Transport).
The principal document is The UK Low Carbon Transition Plan, a white paper from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). This is thin on detail. On transport DECC limits itself to a single paragraph in the executive summary followed by a page and half with an interesting graphic showing "Changes over the next 10 years," presenting a series of milestones for transport, and other sectors.
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn081/pn081.aspx
The Department for Transport's report, Low Carbon Transport: A Greener Future, is not only more clearly written than the sometimes puzzling white paper, but as you would expect it also has much more detail. The accompanying press release from the DfT makes the bold statement that "By 2050, road and rail transport will be largely decarbonised and aviation and shipping will have seen a significant improvement in efficiency." The transport report backs up this aspiration with some detailed analysis, backed by links to some of the supporting evidence that went into the document.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/carbonreduction/
For example, one accompanying document – Review of low carbon technologies for heavy goods vehicles - "presents an analysis of a number of HGV technologies with carbon saving potential and evaluates these technologies in terms of CO2 benefits, technology costs and environmental costs".
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/freight/lowcarbontechnologies/
The DfT's report includes ideas that could change the face of transport. For example, it extols the virtues of "smart ticketing". As the summary puts it, "Better coordination and integration of different services will improve the attractiveness and convenience of public transport," which is why the government is "keen to promote the use of smart ticketing which allows passengers to move seamlessly between different modes".
This brings us one of several opportunities to chip in with your own views. "In the summer we will consult on a strategy to increase and speed-up the roll-out of smart and integrated ticketing across England." The DfT's report also promises a consultation "on proposed changes to regulations on vehicle length in 2010". Yet another consultation will be on eco-driving courses and the idea of making them compulsory.
The DECC White Paper also says that "at the end of 2009, Government intends to consult on proposals for a new high speed rail line between London and the West Midlands".
So the plans to take carbon out of transport include opportunities for people who understand the subject, and anybody else who wants to put their oar in, to make their views known. You have to ask, though, are these really the most important bits of the policy on transport and climate change? Perhaps the DfT really needs to consult on consultations.
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