Urban transport problems have become major community concerns in Australian's largest cities, a r... more Urban transport problems have become major community concerns in Australian's largest cities, a reflection of significant market failures in facility and service provision. This paper suggests that a lack of focus on transport system planning is a major reason for the current concerns. The challenges posed by climate change are argued to require transformational changes in the way we approach urban transport problems, with radical reform of pricing system an early priority for action. Infrastructure development priorities are then outlined.
Enabling people to be socially included is a high-priority goal for many governments but monetise... more Enabling people to be socially included is a high-priority goal for many governments but monetised benefit measures applicable to initiatives intended to reduce social exclusion risk are lacking in land use transport, and other, policy arenas. In settings where the decision-making process seeks guidance from cost-benefit analysis, this is likely to disadvantage initiatives intended to reduce exclusion. This is a particular problem for public transport services intended to enable people to access more of the opportunities available in their society (‘social transit’). This paper develops a monetised measure of the value of improved mobility as it contributes to reducing risk of social exclusion, showing this to make a material difference to benefit estimates from social transit service improvements. It also develops monetised benefit estimates for some other potential pathways for reducing risk of social exclusion, particularly changes in bridging and bonding social capital, sense of...
Within a triple bottom line approach to travel, the social goal area is perhaps least understood.... more Within a triple bottom line approach to travel, the social goal area is perhaps least understood. A number of key concepts are explored that are central to understanding the social contribution of travel, with a focus on links to social inclusion and wellbeing. Measurement of relevant concepts is explained and relationships are established between mobility, household income, social capital, sense of community, and risk of social exclusion. This is shown to be related to wellbeing. The analysis enables estimation of the value of increased travel, as it contributes to social inclusion and improved wellbeing. Those at most risk of social exclusion are shown to be in particular need of higher levels of social interaction for which travel is central. Policy implications of the findings are presented, including the importance of extending travel choice and linking to emerging thinking about accessibility planning.
Recent research has shown that increasing trip making and improving a person’s social capital and... more Recent research has shown that increasing trip making and improving a person’s social capital and sense of community is likely to reduce risks of social exclusion, and increase wellbeing. This, and most other related research on social exclu-sion, has been undertaken in countries with developed economies. This paper examines some of these relationships within a developing economy, where social exclusion is likely to be more widespread, using secondary data. It examines two districts in Medellín, Colombia, which are historically marginalised, with considerable poverty and also suffering from substantial drug-related violence. The focus is on the role of Metrocable, an aerial cable-car public transport sys-tem built to improve transport options in the area’s steep terrain, in reducing risk of exclusion. The analysis shows that increasing the number of trips is significantly associated with a reduced risk of social exclusion and that increasing social capital is weakly supportive. Metr...
Australians are one of the world’s highest per capita emitters of greenhouse gases, yet the count... more Australians are one of the world’s highest per capita emitters of greenhouse gases, yet the country’s target for emissions reductions by 2030 remains modest. This paper looks at policy options for Australian cities to deliver faster transport emissions reductions than the national commitment level. The main focus is on an accelerated reduction in emissions from urban road transport, through technological improvements and behaviour changes. Targets are proposed for improved emissions intensities, to bring Australia much closer to US and EU performance expectations. A range of behaviour change measures is then tested on Melbourne and Sydney, the Sydney analysis using MetroScan-TI, an integrated evaluation framework, to explore how behaviour changes might enhance emissions outcomes. The potential contribution of public transport is a particular focus. The paper concludes that, with sufficient political will, Australia could reduce its 2030 road transport emissions to 40% below 2005 lev...
This paper updates results of an international study aimed at quantifying the links between trans... more This paper updates results of an international study aimed at quantifying the links between transport disadvantage (TD), social exclusion (SE) and well-being (WB) in Melbourne, Australia. The study extends knowledge associated with SE and transport by quantify social and behavioural implications of lack of public and private transport and the nature of the social WB benefits associated with improving services. Study aims and methodology are outlined. Recent findings covered relate to car ownership on the urban fringe, patterns of transport disadvantage, the analysis of time poverty related to transport disadvantage, measuring the economic value of additional mobility and use of a Structural Equation Model (SEM) to relate WB and SE to TD and a series of explanatory factors. Overall results suggest that those without a car on the urban fringe adjust well with their circumstances by living close to activity centres. They demonstrate sustainable choices, trading off budgets and home location to balance mobility and accessibility. Poorer households with high car ownership value mobility and cheaper more remote fringe dwellings but demonstrate numerous strategies to reduce high car costs which are acknowledged as a significant burden. Analysis identifies 4 key types of transport disadvantage including a 'vulnerable/impaired' group which should be of much greater concern for targeted policy than others due to poor scoring on SE and WB scales. The economic value of new mobility is also explored with results suggesting $AUD 20 per average new trip which is four times larger than conventional values for generated travel. Analysis has also suggested that transport disadvantage can relate to socially advantaged as well as socially disadvantaged groups through time poverty. This was found to be an important mitigating factor when relating TD to WB. A statistically reliable structural equation model is developed suggesting the SE-WB link is strong (À.87) with a modest link between TD-SE (.27). Areas for future research in the project are also summarised.
Recent research has shown that increasing trip making and improving a person’s social capital and... more Recent research has shown that increasing trip making and improving a person’s social capital and sense of community is likely to reduce risks of social exclusion, and increase wellbeing. This, and most other related research on social exclusion, has been undertaken in countries with developed economies. This paper examines some of these relationships within a developing economy, where social exclusion is likely to be more widespread, using secondary data. It examines two districts in Medellín, Colombia, which are historically marginalised, with considerable poverty and also suffering from substantial drug-related violence. The focus is on the role of Metrocable, an aerial cable-car public transport system built to improve transport options in the area’s steep terrain, in reducing risk of exclusion. The analysis shows that increasing the number of trips is significantly associated with a reduced risk of social exclusion and that increasing social capital is weakly supportive. Metroc...
Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 2008
In a paper to the Thredbo9 Conference, Stanley, Lucas and Betts outlined a framework for the crea... more In a paper to the Thredbo9 Conference, Stanley, Lucas and Betts outlined a framework for the creation and sustenance of a trusting partnership at the tactical level for public transport services. Since that time, the Victorian (Australia) bus industry has been in negotiation with the Victorian State Government about the future development of the State's route bus services and about implementation of supportive service contracts. This paper outlines the system development directions that are being implemented and the way that a broad-based constituency has been built to support those directions. It then illustrates the extension of the tactical trusting partnership approach between purchaser and provider to the level of the individual operator contract, showing how this should create a flexible yet disciplined environment to manage and cope with change and growth. The broad nature of the new contracts is summarised and, building on the findings from Workshop B at Thredbo 9, processes that are being implemented to manage the ongoing relationship between purchaser and providers are outlined. Finally, the paper argues for extending KPIs beyond the operator to encompass the authority/regulator and the partnership of authority/operator, to extend performance pressures beyond the operator and recognise the interdependence of partners in a true partnership.
Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice
Mobility is a fundamental requirement for well-functioning regions and for the wellbeing of their... more Mobility is a fundamental requirement for well-functioning regions and for the wellbeing of their residents (and visitors). The paper first examines the role of mobility in promoting social inclusion of regional residents. Discussing the groups of regional people most likely to be at risk of social exclusion, because of poor mobility opportunities, the paper highlights preschool children as a new focus for policy and research attention. It then highlights the importance of building bridging social capital to reduce risks of social exclusion in a regional setting, showing that, while regional people at high risk of social exclusion may achieve relatively high trip making (mobility), they may still have problems taking trips that build their bridging social capital. Public transport services can play a supportive role here, with indicative service levels outlined. To better meet regional mobility needs and achieve more effective use of mobility-supporting resources (e.g. vehicles, people), the paper proposes a central integrating role for Regional Accessibility Committees.
This article reviews the recent experience of franchising metropolitan public transport services ... more This article reviews the recent experience of franchising metropolitan public transport services in Melbourne, Australia, to assess the extent to which the declared objectives of the franchising have been achieved. The failure of the initial franchise process is argued to be attributable, in significant part, to shortcomings in the Government’s understanding of what was achievable from a public-private initiative of this nature, given the Melbourne context. Developments associated with the re-franchising process are summarised, the emphasis shifting towards a strong partnership relationship between purchaser and provider, with a more realistic risk allocation between the two.
Links between mobility, social exclusion and well being, and matters related thereto, have been a... more Links between mobility, social exclusion and well being, and matters related thereto, have been an important focus of research, planning and policy thinking in the land use transport field for about the past two decades, in places such as the UK, Australia, South Africa, North America and parts of South America. This introductory paper to the journal volume on <em>Regional and Urban Mobility: Contribution to Social Inclusion</em> summarizes some of the key literature in the field during that period, illustrating how research sometimes takes a place-based approach and at other times focuses on groups of people likely to be at risk of mobility-related social exclusion. The ten articles in this journal volume explore aspects of these relationships, mainly through the lens of at risk groups, across a number of social-spatial settings. Articles draw on case studies from the Philippines, UK/Germany, UK/Colombia, Lisbon, Gilgat-Baltistan, Turkey and Japan, providing a broad set...
This article seeks to identify areas of relative transport disadvantage within an archipelagic re... more This article seeks to identify areas of relative transport disadvantage within an archipelagic region of the Philippines, so its people can be privileged through the provision of faster inter-island journeys to support social inclusion. It assesses the constraints that limit travel between cities and townships by undertaking a small travel behavior survey and trip generation/distribution model across four population centres, to observe how physical isolation from larger centres of social confluence can be reflected by lower trip volumes and associated increases in risks of social exclusion. The article’s methodology makes use of limited information to identify where reductions in inter-island travel time can be proposed for people living in areas of greater relative transport, social and economic disadvantage, so that individual economic and personal travel opportunities can be made more accessible, reducing exclusion risks and promoting well-being.
After a discussion of the meaning of 'sustainable public transport', this Workshop discussed issu... more After a discussion of the meaning of 'sustainable public transport', this Workshop discussed issues of need, system design, institutional arrangements, environmental improvements and social aspects of service. Land use/transport integration was seen as critical for long term strategic direction setting for public transport, backed by sustainable financing/funding arrangements. These need to encompass such revenue sources as externality pricing, user pays, beneficiary pays, wider value capture, asset sales and other opportunities. Such matters are just some of the important examples of governance/institutional design considerations that underpin sustainable public transport, an area the workshop recognised as needing much greater future focus. Ways to grow public transport use, and improve service delivery efficiencies and performance, in both trunk and local markets were discussed, with a particular focus on flexible transport systems. Whether these services should target specific niche markets or pursue a wider customer base was an area of some disagreement requiring further research, in a low density developed country setting. The different roles played by flexible transport systems between developed and emerging countries were notable. The workshop developed a set of general principles intended to further promote sustainable public transport.
Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 2011
Transport is Australia's third largest and second fastest growing source of greenhouse gas (GHG) ... more Transport is Australia's third largest and second fastest growing source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The road transport sector makes up 88 percent of total transport emissions and the projected emissions increase from 1990 to 2020 is 64 percent. Achieving prospective emission reduction targets will pose major challenges for the road transport sector. This paper investigates two targets for reducing Australian road transport greenhouse gas emissions, and what they might mean for the sector: emissions in 2020 being 20 percent below 2000 levels; and emissions in 2050 being 80 percent below 2000 levels. Six ways in which emissions might be reduced to achieve these targets are considered. The analysis suggests that major behavioural and technological changes will be required to deliver significant emission reductions, with very substantial reductions in vehicle emission intensity being absolutely vital to making major inroads in road transport GHG emissions.
Melbourne's bus network serves two-thirds of the city's population but, until recently, has gener... more Melbourne's bus network serves two-thirds of the city's population but, until recently, has generally had very poor service levels. The Victorian government has recently embarked on programs to (1) extend a network of premium trunk routes to address a 'mass transit' agenda and (2) upgrade local routes to 'safety net' minimum service levels, to address a 'social transit' agenda (reducing transport disadvantage and social exclusion). The paper reviews recent experience from the service upgrades to assess how effective they have been in terms of these agendas. Analysis of patronage growth trends and the impacts of these upgrade programs suggest reasonable minimum service levels are required to attract new riders in times of modal shift, and are effective at building social capital.
Urban transport problems have become major community concerns in Australian's largest cities, a r... more Urban transport problems have become major community concerns in Australian's largest cities, a reflection of significant market failures in facility and service provision. This paper suggests that a lack of focus on transport system planning is a major reason for the current concerns. The challenges posed by climate change are argued to require transformational changes in the way we approach urban transport problems, with radical reform of pricing system an early priority for action. Infrastructure development priorities are then outlined.
Enabling people to be socially included is a high-priority goal for many governments but monetise... more Enabling people to be socially included is a high-priority goal for many governments but monetised benefit measures applicable to initiatives intended to reduce social exclusion risk are lacking in land use transport, and other, policy arenas. In settings where the decision-making process seeks guidance from cost-benefit analysis, this is likely to disadvantage initiatives intended to reduce exclusion. This is a particular problem for public transport services intended to enable people to access more of the opportunities available in their society (‘social transit’). This paper develops a monetised measure of the value of improved mobility as it contributes to reducing risk of social exclusion, showing this to make a material difference to benefit estimates from social transit service improvements. It also develops monetised benefit estimates for some other potential pathways for reducing risk of social exclusion, particularly changes in bridging and bonding social capital, sense of...
Within a triple bottom line approach to travel, the social goal area is perhaps least understood.... more Within a triple bottom line approach to travel, the social goal area is perhaps least understood. A number of key concepts are explored that are central to understanding the social contribution of travel, with a focus on links to social inclusion and wellbeing. Measurement of relevant concepts is explained and relationships are established between mobility, household income, social capital, sense of community, and risk of social exclusion. This is shown to be related to wellbeing. The analysis enables estimation of the value of increased travel, as it contributes to social inclusion and improved wellbeing. Those at most risk of social exclusion are shown to be in particular need of higher levels of social interaction for which travel is central. Policy implications of the findings are presented, including the importance of extending travel choice and linking to emerging thinking about accessibility planning.
Recent research has shown that increasing trip making and improving a person’s social capital and... more Recent research has shown that increasing trip making and improving a person’s social capital and sense of community is likely to reduce risks of social exclusion, and increase wellbeing. This, and most other related research on social exclu-sion, has been undertaken in countries with developed economies. This paper examines some of these relationships within a developing economy, where social exclusion is likely to be more widespread, using secondary data. It examines two districts in Medellín, Colombia, which are historically marginalised, with considerable poverty and also suffering from substantial drug-related violence. The focus is on the role of Metrocable, an aerial cable-car public transport sys-tem built to improve transport options in the area’s steep terrain, in reducing risk of exclusion. The analysis shows that increasing the number of trips is significantly associated with a reduced risk of social exclusion and that increasing social capital is weakly supportive. Metr...
Australians are one of the world’s highest per capita emitters of greenhouse gases, yet the count... more Australians are one of the world’s highest per capita emitters of greenhouse gases, yet the country’s target for emissions reductions by 2030 remains modest. This paper looks at policy options for Australian cities to deliver faster transport emissions reductions than the national commitment level. The main focus is on an accelerated reduction in emissions from urban road transport, through technological improvements and behaviour changes. Targets are proposed for improved emissions intensities, to bring Australia much closer to US and EU performance expectations. A range of behaviour change measures is then tested on Melbourne and Sydney, the Sydney analysis using MetroScan-TI, an integrated evaluation framework, to explore how behaviour changes might enhance emissions outcomes. The potential contribution of public transport is a particular focus. The paper concludes that, with sufficient political will, Australia could reduce its 2030 road transport emissions to 40% below 2005 lev...
This paper updates results of an international study aimed at quantifying the links between trans... more This paper updates results of an international study aimed at quantifying the links between transport disadvantage (TD), social exclusion (SE) and well-being (WB) in Melbourne, Australia. The study extends knowledge associated with SE and transport by quantify social and behavioural implications of lack of public and private transport and the nature of the social WB benefits associated with improving services. Study aims and methodology are outlined. Recent findings covered relate to car ownership on the urban fringe, patterns of transport disadvantage, the analysis of time poverty related to transport disadvantage, measuring the economic value of additional mobility and use of a Structural Equation Model (SEM) to relate WB and SE to TD and a series of explanatory factors. Overall results suggest that those without a car on the urban fringe adjust well with their circumstances by living close to activity centres. They demonstrate sustainable choices, trading off budgets and home location to balance mobility and accessibility. Poorer households with high car ownership value mobility and cheaper more remote fringe dwellings but demonstrate numerous strategies to reduce high car costs which are acknowledged as a significant burden. Analysis identifies 4 key types of transport disadvantage including a 'vulnerable/impaired' group which should be of much greater concern for targeted policy than others due to poor scoring on SE and WB scales. The economic value of new mobility is also explored with results suggesting $AUD 20 per average new trip which is four times larger than conventional values for generated travel. Analysis has also suggested that transport disadvantage can relate to socially advantaged as well as socially disadvantaged groups through time poverty. This was found to be an important mitigating factor when relating TD to WB. A statistically reliable structural equation model is developed suggesting the SE-WB link is strong (À.87) with a modest link between TD-SE (.27). Areas for future research in the project are also summarised.
Recent research has shown that increasing trip making and improving a person’s social capital and... more Recent research has shown that increasing trip making and improving a person’s social capital and sense of community is likely to reduce risks of social exclusion, and increase wellbeing. This, and most other related research on social exclusion, has been undertaken in countries with developed economies. This paper examines some of these relationships within a developing economy, where social exclusion is likely to be more widespread, using secondary data. It examines two districts in Medellín, Colombia, which are historically marginalised, with considerable poverty and also suffering from substantial drug-related violence. The focus is on the role of Metrocable, an aerial cable-car public transport system built to improve transport options in the area’s steep terrain, in reducing risk of exclusion. The analysis shows that increasing the number of trips is significantly associated with a reduced risk of social exclusion and that increasing social capital is weakly supportive. Metroc...
Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 2008
In a paper to the Thredbo9 Conference, Stanley, Lucas and Betts outlined a framework for the crea... more In a paper to the Thredbo9 Conference, Stanley, Lucas and Betts outlined a framework for the creation and sustenance of a trusting partnership at the tactical level for public transport services. Since that time, the Victorian (Australia) bus industry has been in negotiation with the Victorian State Government about the future development of the State's route bus services and about implementation of supportive service contracts. This paper outlines the system development directions that are being implemented and the way that a broad-based constituency has been built to support those directions. It then illustrates the extension of the tactical trusting partnership approach between purchaser and provider to the level of the individual operator contract, showing how this should create a flexible yet disciplined environment to manage and cope with change and growth. The broad nature of the new contracts is summarised and, building on the findings from Workshop B at Thredbo 9, processes that are being implemented to manage the ongoing relationship between purchaser and providers are outlined. Finally, the paper argues for extending KPIs beyond the operator to encompass the authority/regulator and the partnership of authority/operator, to extend performance pressures beyond the operator and recognise the interdependence of partners in a true partnership.
Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice
Mobility is a fundamental requirement for well-functioning regions and for the wellbeing of their... more Mobility is a fundamental requirement for well-functioning regions and for the wellbeing of their residents (and visitors). The paper first examines the role of mobility in promoting social inclusion of regional residents. Discussing the groups of regional people most likely to be at risk of social exclusion, because of poor mobility opportunities, the paper highlights preschool children as a new focus for policy and research attention. It then highlights the importance of building bridging social capital to reduce risks of social exclusion in a regional setting, showing that, while regional people at high risk of social exclusion may achieve relatively high trip making (mobility), they may still have problems taking trips that build their bridging social capital. Public transport services can play a supportive role here, with indicative service levels outlined. To better meet regional mobility needs and achieve more effective use of mobility-supporting resources (e.g. vehicles, people), the paper proposes a central integrating role for Regional Accessibility Committees.
This article reviews the recent experience of franchising metropolitan public transport services ... more This article reviews the recent experience of franchising metropolitan public transport services in Melbourne, Australia, to assess the extent to which the declared objectives of the franchising have been achieved. The failure of the initial franchise process is argued to be attributable, in significant part, to shortcomings in the Government’s understanding of what was achievable from a public-private initiative of this nature, given the Melbourne context. Developments associated with the re-franchising process are summarised, the emphasis shifting towards a strong partnership relationship between purchaser and provider, with a more realistic risk allocation between the two.
Links between mobility, social exclusion and well being, and matters related thereto, have been a... more Links between mobility, social exclusion and well being, and matters related thereto, have been an important focus of research, planning and policy thinking in the land use transport field for about the past two decades, in places such as the UK, Australia, South Africa, North America and parts of South America. This introductory paper to the journal volume on <em>Regional and Urban Mobility: Contribution to Social Inclusion</em> summarizes some of the key literature in the field during that period, illustrating how research sometimes takes a place-based approach and at other times focuses on groups of people likely to be at risk of mobility-related social exclusion. The ten articles in this journal volume explore aspects of these relationships, mainly through the lens of at risk groups, across a number of social-spatial settings. Articles draw on case studies from the Philippines, UK/Germany, UK/Colombia, Lisbon, Gilgat-Baltistan, Turkey and Japan, providing a broad set...
This article seeks to identify areas of relative transport disadvantage within an archipelagic re... more This article seeks to identify areas of relative transport disadvantage within an archipelagic region of the Philippines, so its people can be privileged through the provision of faster inter-island journeys to support social inclusion. It assesses the constraints that limit travel between cities and townships by undertaking a small travel behavior survey and trip generation/distribution model across four population centres, to observe how physical isolation from larger centres of social confluence can be reflected by lower trip volumes and associated increases in risks of social exclusion. The article’s methodology makes use of limited information to identify where reductions in inter-island travel time can be proposed for people living in areas of greater relative transport, social and economic disadvantage, so that individual economic and personal travel opportunities can be made more accessible, reducing exclusion risks and promoting well-being.
After a discussion of the meaning of 'sustainable public transport', this Workshop discussed issu... more After a discussion of the meaning of 'sustainable public transport', this Workshop discussed issues of need, system design, institutional arrangements, environmental improvements and social aspects of service. Land use/transport integration was seen as critical for long term strategic direction setting for public transport, backed by sustainable financing/funding arrangements. These need to encompass such revenue sources as externality pricing, user pays, beneficiary pays, wider value capture, asset sales and other opportunities. Such matters are just some of the important examples of governance/institutional design considerations that underpin sustainable public transport, an area the workshop recognised as needing much greater future focus. Ways to grow public transport use, and improve service delivery efficiencies and performance, in both trunk and local markets were discussed, with a particular focus on flexible transport systems. Whether these services should target specific niche markets or pursue a wider customer base was an area of some disagreement requiring further research, in a low density developed country setting. The different roles played by flexible transport systems between developed and emerging countries were notable. The workshop developed a set of general principles intended to further promote sustainable public transport.
Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 2011
Transport is Australia's third largest and second fastest growing source of greenhouse gas (GHG) ... more Transport is Australia's third largest and second fastest growing source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The road transport sector makes up 88 percent of total transport emissions and the projected emissions increase from 1990 to 2020 is 64 percent. Achieving prospective emission reduction targets will pose major challenges for the road transport sector. This paper investigates two targets for reducing Australian road transport greenhouse gas emissions, and what they might mean for the sector: emissions in 2020 being 20 percent below 2000 levels; and emissions in 2050 being 80 percent below 2000 levels. Six ways in which emissions might be reduced to achieve these targets are considered. The analysis suggests that major behavioural and technological changes will be required to deliver significant emission reductions, with very substantial reductions in vehicle emission intensity being absolutely vital to making major inroads in road transport GHG emissions.
Melbourne's bus network serves two-thirds of the city's population but, until recently, has gener... more Melbourne's bus network serves two-thirds of the city's population but, until recently, has generally had very poor service levels. The Victorian government has recently embarked on programs to (1) extend a network of premium trunk routes to address a 'mass transit' agenda and (2) upgrade local routes to 'safety net' minimum service levels, to address a 'social transit' agenda (reducing transport disadvantage and social exclusion). The paper reviews recent experience from the service upgrades to assess how effective they have been in terms of these agendas. Analysis of patronage growth trends and the impacts of these upgrade programs suggest reasonable minimum service levels are required to attract new riders in times of modal shift, and are effective at building social capital.
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Papers by John Stanley