Is there really a transport problem? Do the benefits of motorized transport outweigh the costs? Are there any minor (or perhaps major) changes you personally feel could make our present transport system more sustainable?

Transport is something that in the UK we rely on to benefit our lifestyles, so to ask if there is a transport problem is a question that can be taken in many ways. Some would argue, relating to climate change there is, with C02 emissions being emitted everyday due to the increasing use of road transport, however others would say that, with out of town shopping centres, supermarkets and schools, how can you stop people using their cars to get to these places. This is where car share plans come into place an idea set about to reduce emissions by sharing cars when making out of town journeys to places such as the ones listed.

Personally I feel that there is a problem with the pollution caused by many forms of transport however, its not easy to ask people to change their lifestyle because of long term predictions made. For example, as a personal experience, the advert launched by the Department for transport in November last year, asked us to driver 3miles less each day this was because Car travel is the single biggest source of household and individual CO2 emissions in the UK. If all UK drivers reduced their driving by 5 miles a week we could save 2.7 million tonnes of CO2 per year, i agreed with this advert and felt that if i could make the change i would but out of frustration, my dad replied 'well now im going to drive 3 miles extra', because he doesn't feel that he can make that change to his lifestyle due to accessibility.My dad doesn't have the knowledge on sustainability that i do, therefore doesn't necessarily understand that consequences of all the emissions that are polluted into the atmosphere.

The benefits of motorized transport are important as they help build and keep a strong infrastructure to the country without motorized transport alot of businesses and tourism would suffer, affecting the economy and damaging the infrastructure. the costs are long term and not yet as evident as the benefits therefore I feel that the benefits do outweigh them at the moment as we live in a demanding society of wanting now and paying later.

Many changes have been set about by the department of transport to reduce emissions produce by our transport, even though it appears to that cars are the ones in the limelight for all this pollution. the Department of transport have set about plans for other forms of transport such as full railway electrification from June last year and the push for manufacturers to bring technological improvements that increase fuel efficiency and decrease environmental impacts made by shipping.

all of which can be found on;

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/carbonreduction/