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By: Fiona Dale (0341720); Patrick Giblin (0788617); Kelman Mak (0567766); Pete Minford (0569619) IMS3 Sustainability Module, March 2008 “A sustainable, integrated and effective transport network lies at the heart of our economic development.”- Transport Minister Tavish Scott. Introduction: Trams: Are they sustainable?? The need for a new transport system Car travel emits 109g of CO2 per passenger-km Fact file: Construction: •Infrastructure contract: £220m approx. •Preliminary ground-works commenced Autumn 2007. •March 2008: Multi-utility diversion works commencing. •Tram infrastructure work commencing in April 2008 by BBS (Bilfinger Berger and Siemens) •Project due to be complete in 2011 The Trams: •Spanish builder CAF to supply 27 trams under a 30 year build-and-maintain agreement. •Each tram to be 40m long •Capacity of 250 passengers •Total cost: £75m approx. A UK survey showed that 15-25% of passengers on new tram systems previously travelled by car Current bus systems produce approx. 1500 tonnes of CO2 annually. Tram system estimated to produce 626 tonnes of CO2 annually It would be necessary to increase the number of buses along the tram operating corridor by more than 30% by 2031 without a tram system in place In Nottingham, NET (Nottingham Express Transit) is responsible for over £1m of environmental improvements to the city Environmental Aspects •Trams run on electricity, meaning that the increased volume of passenger movement can be achieved without the on-street emissions associated with bus transport. •Noise and vibrations levels are significantly lower than those for cars and buses. Economic Aspects •Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) is the return for every £1 invested. This was calculated as £1.21 for Line 1, £1.40 for Line 2 and between £1.51 and £1.63 for parallel operation of the two lines. Social Aspects •Inclusion - Areas around Leith Walk and in the west, such as Saughton and Balgreen, have been identified as having lower socio-economic status than surrounding areas. Direct connection to the city centre and other employment districts, facilitated by phase 1a of the tram, will undoubtedly improve the situation for these parts of the city. •Safety - CCTV and help points at all stops and vehicles will help improve personal security over other forms of public transport. •Accessibility - The trams and tram stops are more accessible by people with mobility impairments, small children and the elderly. •Subsequent Development - More than 930 jobs, in present value terms, are expected to be generated by the development of the tram, 590 from Phase 1a alone. Phase 1 of the tram will support and catalyse the development at the Edinburgh Waterfront (largest brownfield development in Scotland) by providing sustainable transport connections to other areas. Conclusions and looking to the future •Sustainable transport does not necessarily mean less mobility than existing systems, but it will mean newer, more technologically advanced transport modes accompanied with innovative mobility management and integrated transport services. •Throughout Europe, investment in trams has shown to be a catalyst for improvement to the streetscape and local environment, bringing both economic and social benefits. •The image of Scotland’s capital city to business and tourism, the ability to attract major business, conference and sporting events will be strongly influenced by the quality of transport for visitors and can be greatly enhanced by a modern transport system, including the tram. •The tram has the potential to reduce traffic congestion by encouraging drivers to use the tram instead of their car. As other tram schemes in the UK have shown, there is greater potential for modal shift from car to tram than to buses, or guided buses. http://www.tramtime.com/ TIE – Edinburgh Tram Network – Final Business Case – Version 2 http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/tram-onebill/genPrin/04_GPE_TRANSformScotland.htm The Scottish Parliament – Edinburgh Tram (Line One) Bill Committee http://www.externe.info/externpr.pdf European Commission – Community Research – External Costs The current transport system in Edinburgh is struggling to cope with the volume of traffic passing through the city. Congestion causes £20bn damage to the UK economy every year and is thought to cost £47 million in Edinburgh alone. Edinburgh’s rate of growth is twice the Scottish average and is projected to be higher than any other UK city (except Cardiff) between 2004-2010. The subsequent increase in volume of travel would only add further pressure to the existing road network. The city and airport link is currently at maximum capacity causing major problems with traffic flow in the city at peak times. Vehicles within the city have been shown to account for up to 88% of emissions of nitrogen oxides and 90% of carbon monoxide. Edinburgh currently meets all air quality emission targets set by the EU air quality directive apart from the Nitrogen Oxide target of 40 mg/m3 set in 2005. Areas predicted to fail air quality objectives include Haymarket, Leith Walk, North Bridge, Roseburn and Gorgie/Ardmillan. Two thousand people die each year as a result of traffic fumes, and 525 children were killed or seriously injured in Scotland in 2002. The Edinburgh Tram network was proposed as a possible solution early in 2003. Phase 1 of the project should be fully operational by 2011. References SustainableEngineering@Edinburgh Group 14: Trams in Edinburgh: Sustainable Transport?