AIR QUALITY AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT POLICY DISCOURSE IN OXFORD

G Parkhurst

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2004

Subject Area

land use - planning, policy - environment, organisation - management, mode - bus

Keywords

Transportation policy, Transportation control measures, Smog control, Policy analysis, Oxford (England), Motor bus transportation, Intercity bus transportation, Environmental policy, Environmental planning, Environmental management, Emission control, Diesel buses, Case studies, Bus transportation, Air quality management, Air pollution control

Abstract

The U.K. city of Oxford has a long history of promoting bus use in the city center. Despite this emphasis on public transportation, excessive nitrogen dioxide levels have been detected in the city center, reflecting the concentration of bus traffic. This paper uses the case of Oxford to appraise relevance of the Oxford policy approach for air quality management. It is concluded that similar problems may affect bus-centered transport strategies in other urban areas, and that the problem could be mitigated by a change of bus technology away from diesel vehicles. The findings also highlight the importance of policy assessment that is objective, thorough and vigorous to ensure sustainable transport strategies that address all transportation environmental policy goals.

Comments

Transportation Research Part D Home Page: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13619209

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