Peer Reviewed Research Publications

RP2015: Journal Article: An analysis of active transport in Melbourne: baseline activity for assessment of low carbon mobility interventions

This paper analyses current active transport usage in a car-dependent metropolis using household travel survey data. A major conclusion emerges: most people and households did not undertake any reportable active transport usage, despite increasing policy support, education and promotion encouraging uptake. Less than a quarter of the population recorded travel on foot and just over 2% by bicycle, although there are differences by gender and age. There are important implications for policy development and urban design interventions aimed at encouraging greater use of the active modes. This research shows we still have some way to go to achieve the levels of active transport uptake necessary for the creation of environmentally sustainable and healthy communities.

Read the full article HERE

RP2015: Final Report: Carbon Reductions and Co-benefits: Final Report – Part II An analysis of current levels of active transport usage in Australia - towards a measure of baseline activity

This report, the second output of the scoping study RP2015, describes baseline levels of active transport usage in Australian cities, and thus provides a platform from which future interventions in low carbon precinct planning and design can be assessed in terms of their capability to increase the levels of active transport. 

The report has important considerations for policy development aimed at encouraging greater use of the active modes. Walking emerges as a universal activity, undertaken by many people and at similar levels across the socio-economic groups, whereas cycling activity is very much undertaken by a small minority and shows differences between different groups, especially in terms of age and (household) income. This finding for cycle usage needs to be put in the context of the observation that overall household bicycle ownership is comparable to household car ownership.

rp2015 carbon reductions and co benefits final report part ii (1807689 PDF)

RP2015: Carbon Reductions and Co-benefits: Final Report – Part I, Literature and practice review of Australian policies relating urban planning and public health

Project RP2015 was a scoping study designed to inform the CRCLCL on the research and development needs to maximise potential health and productivity co-benefits of low carbon planning and design for precincts. This report provides a review of international research on co-benefits, examining and discussing current Australian policies in this area. Co-benefits are defined to be ancillary benefits – such as public health and productivity gains – that result from intentional decisions to address low carbon living through energy demand and greenhouse gas emission reductions, with a focus on low carbon precincts.

The report describes current planning and policy interventions in place in Australia to encourage low carbon active transport forms such as walking, cycling and using public transport. It describes the importance of research on co-benefits and the need for the CRC to support a major research initiative in this field. Such a project will identify and quantify co-benefits for public health and productivity from the planning and evaluation of low carbon urban precincts – the core activity of the CRC’s Low Carbon Precincts research program.

The review found clear and growing interest in co-benefits, but also indicates that while the health sector has initiated some significant programs, these are largely uncoordinated, especially from an urban planning perspective.

RP2015: Carbon Reductions and Co-benefits: Final Report – Part I (1470078 PDF)