It’s arguably the biggest dilemma facing the auto industry – how do you enhance sustainability without compromising the benefits of motor vehicle use? Now, one researcher at UC Davis believes he may have the answer.
Dr Mark Delucchi, a research scientist at the Institute of Transportation Studies, has proposed a novel urban plan designed on two universally accessible but completely independent transport networks. One would be for low-speed, lightweight models, while the other would be for fast, heavy vehicles.
The basic elements of his plan were published in Strungmann Forum Report, Linkages of Sustainability and suggest that the two travel networks be accessible to every individual and that each provides access to every area of the community – however, they would be physically separated as they never intersect. He believes there should be no possible physical interaction between fast, heavy vehicles and low-speed, lightweight models as this would increase the risk to occupants of low-speed vehicles and reduce convenience for all users.
He believes the system could work in a similar manner to areas in pedestrian malls, where cars are sometimes banned, as the system would create a space to support a less harried lifestyle. He even states that the network would be more convenient than a conventional single street system.
His proposal is that the cut off points be at a top speed of 40km/h and 500kg maximum curb weight. The low-speed lightweight models would include any mode of transport under these limits – including bicycles, mopeds, motor scooters, motorcycles, golf cars, mini-cars and so on. Meanwhile, the fast, heavy vehicles would include conventional cars, trucks, vans and tractor-trailers.
The structure of the network could range from an undifferentiated narrow lane to a multi-lane road bed with a paved bicycle path and an unimproved pedestrian path on the side. According to Dr Delucchi, this approach separates travel according to kinetic energy and delineates a land use and transportation structure that enhances efficiency and the community while minimising energy use.
What do you think of Dr Delucchi’s proposals? Leave a comment below with your thoughts.
