Session: 1
Room: Melbourne Room
Session Title: Car Dependency
Format: Discussion
Presenter Name: Sebastian Aurisano
Summary
Main Problems: Traffic jams, pollution, climate change. 25% of emissions come from transport.
How to tackle it? Public transport, active transport, infrastructure. The pedestrian-oriented built environment is most critical. Autonomous and electric vehicles should also be considered. Electric vehicles tend to tackle pollution and climate change, but congestion will still remain.
AVs might improve traffic jams but they may encourage urban sprawl.
Car dependency has a gender impact, mothers need cars to take kids around. We can only use happy wheels if the urban built environment supports it.
Minimum parking requirements based on floor area ratio should be reconsidered.
Car sharing is important to diminish the parking issues related to autonomous vehicles.
Private e-scooters should be allowed and encouraged in Melbourne.