ITS Monday: Edition 10, 2022

Thinking of swerving high fuel prices with an e-scooter or e-bike? 5 crucial questions answered

There’s a few things I like about this article in The Conversation by Abraham Leung and Madison Bland, both of Griffith University. One is the topicality, particularly around fuel prices, but also as these transport modes are spreading out more across the country. Second, the use of a few data points to answer the question. And lastly, the very helpful table pointing out the laws and limits across all Australian states and territories.

Experts ease infection fear as commuters drive up public transport usage

After two years of a large drop in the use of public transport, is it now on the rise again? According to the data cited in this article about PT use in Melbourne, the outlook is encouragingly slightly positive. “Melbourne has reported its highest rise in public transport usage in more than two years, as experts say the danger of catching coronavirus on a train is no worse than when eating at a cafe.” As for a return to pre-pandemic levels of customer patronage, there is pessimism from two quoted transport experts.

Congestion spreads to regions: bumper-to-bumper traffic no longer just a city problem

Over the past two years or so we’ve included numerous articles in ITS Monday about how the pandemic has affected congestion, and the commuting mode mix. Most of these have been around the situation in cities, but as this article demonstrates, regional Australia is most definitely not untouched.

As federal government spending on small transport projects creeps up, marginal seats get a bigger share

A Federal election is fast approaching. It’s as yet not official, in that there is no date set yet, but be that as it may, it is fast approaching. Here Marion Terrill from The Grattan Institute takes a look at what has already been announced. And as Terrill points out, “If history is any guide, a rush of small local promises won’t be far behind.”

NZ app developed to help cut commuters’ carbon emissions

The app is called Carbonwise, and it “… helps businesses easily calculate the carbon cost of their workers’ travel and encourage companies to cut that carbon footprint or offset it.”

Bavaria’s first hydrogen-powered train set for public display

And as is just a little bit customary, in the final position this week we have a piece on new fuels. New, sustainable fuels. And the headline here says it all, Germany is showing off a new hydrogen-powered train, one that will beginning in mid-2023 be in service on selected routes.