Title:

Transport

Publish Date:

May 2011

ISBN:

978 1 86168 591 9

Covering Ages:

11 to 14 years

Issue Description

The future of transport has been hotly debated in recent times. Our roads are congested, fewer people now feel safe walking or cycling to their place of work or education, the quality and cost of public transport is often questioned and there is increasing concern over the emission of greenhouse gases connected with the way we travel. This book looks at the issues surrounding sustainable transport, including an analysis of the current situation and a look at the future of transport.
The information comes from a variety of sources, including government reports and statistics, newspapers and magazine articles, surveys and polls, academic research and literature from charities and lobby groups; articles have been tailored to an 11 to 14 age group. Additionally, at the end of each chapter are two pages of activities relating to the articles and issues raised in that chapter.

Price:

£5.95

Quantity:

Key Facts

• Sustainable transport is any means of transport which reduces fuel consumption, pollution and car use. This includes cycling, rail and bus transport, walking or even travelling by scooter. (page 1)
  
  
• The vast majority of car drivers, 88 per cent, said they used their car at least twice a week, with most of these saying they drove every day. Only 24 per cent of bus passengers reported that they travelled by bus this often. (page 4)
  
  
• Over half of adults agreed that the current system of paying for road use should change so that the amount people pay is based on how often, when and where they use the roads. (page 5)
  
  
• The British Social Attitudes Survey, conducted annually since 1983, found that about 80% of people think the current level of car use in the UK is having a serious, negative effect, and 66% say everyone should respond by using vehicles less often. (page 7)
  
  
• Cars account for 13% of the UK’s CO2 emissions. Transport is 17% of the carbon footprint of the average school or college. (page 12)
  
  
• Transport, including international aviation and maritime transport, accounts for around a quarter of total EU greenhouse gas emissions. (page 17)
  
  
• Air travel in the EU remained the fastest [passenger transport] growth area, increasing 48% between 1997 and 2007. Car journeys remained the main mode of transport, accounting for 72% of all passenger kilometres in the EU-27. (page 18)
  
  
• Congestion costs the economy billions of pounds every year. (page 19)
  
  
• Personal car use in the UK accounts for 13% of CO2 emissions, and relies on oil. We need an 80% cut in CO2 by 2050, and have an energy crisis hanging over us. (page 23)

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Table of Contents

Chapter One: Transport in the UK

Transport, Use of public transport, What do people think about road congestion?, The facts about road building, The road ahead: charging forward, Can’t afford to run a car?, Get moving!, Activities.

Chapter Two: The Future of Transport

Transport and the energy crisis, Is Europe’s transport getting greener? Partly, Transport: the way to go, Do governments dream of electric cars?, Electric buses: green public transport or
THE public transport?, Activities.

Key Facts

Glossary

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