Building Sustainability

Greener Transport

• Walking
• Cycling
• Public Transport
• Vehicle fuel efficiency

Typically, transportation accounts for close to 30-50% of the a household's greenhouse gas emissions. By changing your transportation habits you can significantly reduce your household emissions. If you only have a short distance to go, try an alternative. Walk, cycle or consider public transport or car pooling which are all much more efficient than single person/vehicle trips.

Walking

Walking is easy, low cost, good for the environment and good for your health. Walking just 10km a week instead of driving saves 300 kilograms of of greenhouse pollution a year and regular walking helps reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers (Source: The Pedestrian Council).

Walking is good activity for all ages, you could even talk to your child's school about establishing a Walking School Bus in your area.

Cycling

Cycling is a popular, fun form of transport that is great for the environment and your health. Small trips between 3km and 5km can easily be made on a bicycle. Riding a bike continues to be an obvious form of transport for many people, in 2007 bicycle sales in Australia actually exceeded car sales for the eighth consecutive year.

The Department of Planning and Infrastructure received funding from the Australian Government under the Cycle Connect Program to construct secure bicycle enclosures at the Casuarina and Palmerston Bus Interchanges. This means you can cycle to either of the facilities and catch the bus from there. Click here for more information or contact the DPI Public Transport Branch on 8924 7848.

Formed in 2006, Bicycles NT aims to promote cycling, advocate the rights of cyclists and contribute to the planning, development and maintenance of a safe, integrated and inviting bicycle network throughout the NT.

Bicycle Victoria and the Western Australian Government also have good information for cyclist whether you cycle everyday or you're getting on the bike for the first time in years.

Public Transport

Using public transport benefits the environment as it has the capacity to replace a number of car trips, reducing greenhouse emissions. Public transport is cheap, not only will you save greenhouse emissions you will save money by not paying of fuel or parking.

For more information:

• Public Transport Division of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure
• Bus routes, maps and timetables for services in the greater Darwin and Rural areas
• Alice Springs Bus Service

Vehicle Fuel Efficiency

If you must drive, good driving techniques are important for fuel efficient operation of vehicles. Any measures taken during the purchase and maintenance of vehicles will not be fully realised if drivers fail to operate their vehicles in an energy efficient manner.

The driver is the person who can make all of the careful decisions concerning vehicle specifications and maintenance pay off if he/she applies correct driving techniques. Bad driving can negate other fuel-saving decisions. It is therefore of critical importance to ensure that drivers know and use the right techniques. Not only will this ensure that specification and maintenance savings are realised, but good driving can improve the fuel economy of a vehicle by 10% or more.

When buying a vehicle:

• Use the Green Vehicle Guide which rates all new Australian passenger, four-wheel drive and light commerical vehicles based on fuel consumption, greenhouse and air pollution emissions
• Go to www.greenhouse.gov.au/fuelguide/ for fuel efficiency information for different models sold in Australia between 1986 and 2003.
• Do not select a vehicle which is larger than you need.

When using a vehicle:

• Do keep your vehicle well maintained by:
  • following the manufacturers recommended service schedules (this can save around 5% in fuel consumption).
  • making sure tyre pressure is correct (under inflated tyres can increase fuel consumption by 3%); and
  • making sure the wheels are aligned properly.
• Do ensure roof rack and other fittings are aerodynamically designed and only fitted where absolutely necessary (they should be removed when not in use).
• Do ensure air conditioners:
  • are used sparingly to reduce petrol consumption (on a 35 degree day a car can use 10% more petrol if the air conditioner is on high).
  • are used with car windows up
  • are  used when driving a car at high speeds: the drag caused by having windows down will also result in approximately 10% extra fuel consumption. In this instance, air conditioners may be the energy efficient option.
    NOTE: Ensure air conditioners do not contain, or are not refilled with, gas containing dangerous CFC's.

When driving a vehicle:

• Do turn off the engine if stopped for more than a minute or two.
• Do drive smoothly and anticipate stopping.
• Do use correct gear positions.

• Do not speed.
• Do not rev the engine, even in the morning (it wastes fuel and can damage the engine).
• Do not accelerate unnecessarily downhill.
• Do not drive erratically – erratic drivers speed, brake suddenly and unnecessarily, change lanes frequently and overwork the gears.
• Do not carry around unnecessary weight, or use the vehicles as a storage area (50kg extra weight increases fuel consumption by 2%).

The Commonwealth Government’s alternative fuels programs are designed to reduce greenhouse gases and other vehicular emissions from Australia’s road transport sector.