Europeans are in two minds about transportation.
They want a cleaner environment and recognize that cars cause pollution, yet they are buying bigger, more powerful cars and using them more.
The European Commission has produced a position paper setting out ideas to improve Europe's transportation network. This coincided with the launch of a campaign to promote a "citizens' network" of interlinked services.
"The goal," EC said, "must be achievement of networks of public passenger systems which fit together so passengers can change easily from train to bus to tram, from car or bike to public transport, which interconnect long distance and local transport networks and enable those people with cars to reserve them for journeys where flexibility and independence of movement are important."
EC figures show that increasing use of cars is slowing traffic. Average traffic speed in some European cities during peak periods is said to be lower than in the days of the horse-drawn carriage.
Slowdown
During 1970-93, passenger transport in EU's 15 member states grew 3.2%/year. At the same time, the average distance traveled each day by a European citizen increased to 31.5 km from 16.5.
Vehicle speeds have fallen 10% during the last 20 years in major cities, EU said. This slowdown is said to be directly related to the fact that nowadays 75% of all journeys are made by car.
During 1975-95 car ownership in the EU increased to 435 per 1,000 persons from 232 per 1,000, yet 40% of European households still do not own a car.
Launching the citizens' network campaign, EC Transport Commissioner Neil Kinnock said, "The car has given us unimagined freedom to travel, but increased road traffic is at the same time putting a huge strain on the transport system in terms of pollution, accidents, and congestion. Greater use of public transport can ease some of those strains."
Kinnock asked for ideas on the campaign from travelers of all kinds. EC has invited public comments on its position paper to be submitted by July 31.
Marketing
EU already has environmental programs under way to reduce air pollution through use of more efficient engines and improved gasoline grades. Some perceive these public transportion proposals as another threat to oil demand.
The oil industry can take comfort from the fact that car marketing has proved that the motor car appeals to something in the male psyche (men usually buy a family's cars) in a way that public transportation never will.
One option for Kinnock would be to try making alternatives to cars more attractive by adopting the approach to psychology of car manufacturers. Then, in a few years' time we might see:
- Trains with carriages containing individual mobile compartments in which people can race for pole position within their carriage.
- Four wheel drive buses with enormous engines, lots of chrome fittings, and tires like those you see on earth moving machines.
- Bicycles fitted with bull bars and audio equipment powerful enough to cause immediate deafness among bystanders.
- Trams designed to crush and then roll over any cars that get in their way.
Copyright 1996 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.
