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People-oriented Transport Policy towards Sustainability
Mr WANG Hui
(Supervisor: Prof Becky P Y Loo)
Abstract:
Transport plays a fundamental role in shaping the quality of life and is intricately linked to achieving sustainability, as evidenced by its connections to various Sustainable Development Goals such as Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). In addition, the growing consensus among countries and regions is that future transport systems should prioritize sustainable modes such as walking, cycling, and public transport, placing people at the forefront. However, despite these aspirations, there are significant challenges that highlight the inadequacies of our current transport systems in supporting sustainable targets. These challenges include vulnerable road user deaths amounting to 0.65 million, half of the global urban population encountering challenges accessing public transport, major cities grappling with a 130% surge in metro patronage leading to extreme overcrowding, and over three-quarters of these cities failing to allocate the recommended 20% of their area to open public spaces and streets (Wang & Song, 2020; World Health Organization, 2023; United Nations, 2023).
This PhD thesis aims to explore people-oriented transport policies that encompass planning, design, infrastructure, operation, and management. The objective is to create safe travel conditions and reshape transport systems to support sustainability goals and foster more livable cities. Specifically, the research objectives are as follows: (1) Assess and predict the progress towards achieving the "Vision Zero" goal of eliminating road traffic fatalities in all countries and regions, as well as to recommend collaborative measures to promote road safety initiatives globally, (2) Develop effective methods for identifying transport-disadvantaged areas at a city level. In relation, strategies for re-planning, designing, and optimizing public transport routes, stations, stops, and piers will be proposed, (3) Analyze the dynamics of in-station time and its ratio to the total travel time at station level, (4) Quantify the impact of streets on active travel and health at a community level, exploring potential complex relationships, moderating effects, and place-based differences. By addressing how people-oriented transport policies can support safe, inclusive, efficient, and healthy targets, this research provides a holistic conceptual framework for cities to embrace new urban mobility and setting ambitious goals. Moreover, this research will suggest practical paths and solutions for policymakers, urban planners, and stakeholders to work towards the overarching goal of promoting a more sustainable future.