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Too big, too heavy and too slow to change: road transport is way off track for net zero

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/robin-smit-594126">Robin Smit</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</a> The need to cut the emissions driving climate change is urgent, but it’s proving hard to decarbonise road transport in Australia. Its share of the nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions <a href="https://ageis.climatechange.gov.au/">doubled</a> from 8% in 1990 to 16% in 2020. New vehicles sold in Australia have <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-thought-australian-cars-were-using-less-fuel-new-research-shows-we-were-wrong-122378">barely improved</a> average emissions performance for the last decade or so. The federal government <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-change/publications/australias-emissions-projections-2022">publishes</a> emission forecasts to 2035 – 15 years short of 2050, the net-zero target date. Our <a href="https://www.transport-e-research.com/_files/ugd/d0bd25_7a6920bdd9e8448385863a7c23ec9ecf.pdf">newly published study</a> forecasts road transport emissions through to 2050. The estimated reduction by 2050, 35–45% of pre-COVID levels in 2019, falls well short of what’s needed. Our findings highlight three obstacles to achieving net zero. These are: Australia’s delay in switching to electric vehicles; growing sales of large, heavy vehicles such as SUVs and utes; and uncertainties about hydrogen as a fuel, especially for freight transport. These findings point to policy actions that could get road transport much closer to net zero. <h2>How was this worked out?</h2> Emissions and energy use vary from vehicle to vehicle, so reliable forecasting requires a detailed breakdown of the on-road fleet. Our study <a href="https://www.transport-e-research.com/software">used</a> the Australian Fleet Model and the net zero vehicle emission model (n0vem). The study focused on so-called <a href="https://www.cummins.com/news/2022/05/26/well-wheel-emissions-simplified">well-to-wheel emissions</a> from fuel production, distribution and use while driving. These activities account for about 75–85% of vehicle emissions. (<a href="https://theconversation.com/how-climate-friendly-is-an-electric-car-it-all-comes-down-to-where-you-live-179003">Life-cycle assessment</a> estimates “cradle-to-grave” emissions, including vehicle manufacture and disposal.) Working with European Union colleagues, our emissions simulation drew on an updated <a href="https://www.transport-e-research.com/_files/ugd/d0bd25_7a6920bdd9e8448385863a7c23ec9ecf.pdf">EU scenario</a> (EU-27) showing the changes in the EU vehicle fleet needed to meet the latest (proposed) CO₂ targets. Our study assumed Australia will be ten years behind the EU across all vehicle classes. We further modified the scenario to properly reflect Australian conditions. For instance, the EU has a much higher proportion of plug-in hybrid vehicles than Australia, where buyers are now bypassing them for wholly electric vehicles. <h2>Energy use is shifting, but too slowly</h2> Using this modified scenario, the simulation produces a forecast fall in total wheel-to-wheel emissions from Australian transport from 104 billion tonnes (Mt) in 2018 to 55-65Mt in 2050. Within the range of this 35–45% reduction, the outcome depends largely on the balance of renewable and fossil-fuel energy used to produce hydrogen. The modelling nonetheless predicts a large shift in energy use in road transport in 2050, as 2019 was basically 100% fossil fuels. The on-road energy efficiency of battery electric vehicles is roughly twice that of fuel cell electric (hydrogen) vehicles and roughly three times that of fossil-fuelled vehicles of similar type. The modelling results make this clear. In 2050, battery electric vehicles account for about 70% of total travel, but 25% of on-road energy use and only about 10% of total emissions. In contrast, fossil-fuelled vehicles account for about 25% of total travel in 2050, 60% of energy use and 75-85% of emissions. That’s even allowing for expected efficiency improvements. This means the shift to a mostly electric fleet by 2050 plus the use of hydrogen is predicted to fall short of what’s needed to get to net zero. It will require aggressive new policies to increase the uptake of electric vehicles across all classes. <h2>Lighter vehicles make a big difference</h2> But that is not the whole story. One neglected issue is the growing proportion of <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-may-be-underestimating-just-how-bad-carbon-belching-suvs-are-for-the-climate-and-for-our-health-190743">big, heavy passenger vehicles</a> (SUVs, utes). This trend is very noticeable in Australia. The laws of physics mean heavier vehicles need much more energy and fuel per kilometre of driving, and so produce more emissions. Currently, a large diesel SUV typically emits a kilogram of CO₂ for every 3 kilometres of driving, compared to 15km for a light electric vehicle and 200 kilometres for an e-bike. An average electric vehicle currently emits 1kg of CO₂ every 7km. This distance is expected to be around 60km in 2050, when renewables power the electricity grid. A lightweight electric car will more than double the distance to 125km per kilogram of CO₂. Reducing vehicle weights and optimising energy efficiency in transport will be essential to meet emission targets. The study modelled the impacts of <a href="https://www.automotiveworld.com/special-reports/vehicle-lightweighting-2/">lightweighting</a> passenger vehicles while keeping buses and commercial vehicles the same. If Australians had driven only small cars in 2019 for personal use, total road transport emissions would have been about 15% lower. The reduction in emissions from simply shifting to smaller cars is <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-change/publications/national-greenhouse-accounts-2019/national-inventory-report-2019">similar to</a> emissions from domestic aviation and domestic shipping combined. Importantly, lightweighting cuts emissions for all kinds of vehicles. <h2>The uncertainties about hydrogen</h2> Fuel cell electric vehicles using hydrogen account for only a few percent of all travel, but most will likely be large trucks. As a result, in our scenarios, they use a little over 10% of total on-road energy and produce 5-20% of total emissions, depending on the energy source used for hydrogen production and distribution. The modified EU scenario includes a significant uptake of hydrogen vehicles by 2050. That’s by no means guaranteed. The uptake in Australia has been negligible to date. That’s due to costs (vehicle and fuel), the need for new hydrogen fuel infrastructure, less mature technology (compared to battery electric vehicles) and limited vehicle availability. <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-must-rapidly-decarbonise-transport-but-hydrogens-not-the-answer-166830">Unresolved aspects</a> of hydrogen in transport include lower energy efficiency, the <a href="https://theconversation.com/for-australia-to-lead-the-way-on-green-hydrogen-first-we-must-find-enough-water-196144">need for clean water</a>, uncertainty about leakage, fuel-cell durability and value for consumers. <h2>How do we get back on track?</h2> Our study suggests Australia is on track to miss the net-zero target for 2050 mainly because of the large proportions of fossil-fuelled vehicles and large and heavy passenger vehicles. These two aspects could become targets for new policies such as public information campaigns, tax incentives for small, light vehicles, bans on selling fossil fuel vehicles and programs to scrap them. Other options to cut emissions include measures to reduce travel demand, optimise freight logistics and shift travel to public transport, to name a few. The study confirms the scale of the challenge of decarbonising road transport. Australia will need “all hands on deck” – government, industry and consumers – to achieve net zero in 2050.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/208655/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/robin-smit-594126">Robin Smit</a>, Adjunct Associate Professor, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/too-big-too-heavy-and-too-slow-to-change-road-transport-is-way-off-track-for-net-zero-208655">original article</a>.

Travel Trouble

How on-demand buses can transform travel and daily life for people with disabilities

People with disabilities arguably stand to gain the most from good public transport, but are continually excluded by transport systems that still aren’t adapted to their needs as the law requires. <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/ee5ee3c2-152d-4b5f-9901-71d483b47f03/aihw-dis-72.pdf.aspx?inline=true">One in six people</a> aged 15 and over with disability have difficulty using some or all forms of public transport. One in seven are not able to use public transport at all. Under the <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2018C00125">Disability Discrimination Act 1992</a>, Australia’s public transport systems were expected to be fully compliant with the 2002 <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/transport-accessibility">Transport Standards</a> by December 31 2022. Not only have many of our bus, train and tram systems <a href="https://www.disabilitysupportguide.com.au/talking-disability/public-transport-remains-inaccessible-as-20-year-targets-are-not-met">failed to meet these targets</a>, but the standards themselves are outdated. The standards are <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/transport-accessibility/2022-review-transport-standards">under review</a> and public consultation has begun. For buses, the standards <a href="https://www.mcw.com.au/why-public-transport-operators-must-review-their-vehicles-in-2022/">largely focus on the vehicles themselves</a>: low-floor buses, wheelchair ramps, priority seating, handrails and enough room to manoeuvre. But just because a vehicle is accessible doesn’t necessarily mean a bus journey is accessible. There are difficulties getting to and from the bus, limited frequency of accessible services, <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17450101.2022.2126794">poor driver training, passenger conflict</a>, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/gusalexiou/2021/02/17/for-disabled-people-inclusive-transportation-is-about-much-more-than-lifts-and-ramps/?sh=322fc9c62b08">travel anxiety</a> and a lack of <a href="https://www.inclusivecitymaker.com/transport-accessibility-intellectual-disability/">planning for diversity</a>. In all these ways, bus travel excludes people with disabilities. <div data-id="17"> </div> Infrastructure alone cannot overcomes these issues. <a href="https://translink.com.au/travel-with-us/on-demand">On-demand transport</a>, which enables users to travel between any two points within a service zone whenever they want, offers potential solutions to some of these issues. It’s already <a href="https://sifted.eu/articles/viavan-on-demand-transport/">operating</a> in <a href="https://ringandride.org/">cities</a><a href="https://www.bcgomi.com/">overseas</a> and is being <a href="https://theconversation.com/1-million-rides-and-counting-on-demand-services-bring-public-transport-to-the-suburbs-132355">trialled in Australia</a>. <h2>Accessible vehicles are just the start</h2> Making vehicles accessible is really only the tip of the iceberg. Focusing only on infrastructure misses two key points: <ol> <li> our public transport journeys begin before we board the service and continue after we’ve left it </li> <li> accessibility means providing people with quality transport experiences, not just access to resources. </li> </ol> Let’s imagine a typical suburban bus journey. It is industry accepted that passengers are <a href="https://australasiantransportresearchforum.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2013_rose_mulley_tsai_hensher.pdf">generally willing to walk about 400 metres</a> to a bus stop. That is based, of course, on the assumption that passengers are able-bodied. Long distances, steep hills, neglected pathways, few kerb cuts and poorly designed bus shelters all hinder individuals with disabilities from getting to the bus in the first place. This issue resurfaced in the 2020 report <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/ee5ee3c2-152d-4b5f-9901-71d483b47f03/aihw-dis-72.pdf.aspx?inline=true">People with Disability in Australia</a>, by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. More than one in four respondents with disabilities said getting “to and from stops” was a major obstacle to using public transport. But other barriers to making services inclusive are even more difficult to see. People with disabilities are forced to plan extensively when to travel, how to travel, who to travel with and what resources they need to complete the journey. Even the best-laid plans involve <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/gusalexiou/2021/02/17/for-disabled-people-inclusive-transportation-is-about-much-more-than-lifts-and-ramps/?sh=322fc9c62b08">added emotional energy or “travel anxiety”</a>. <h2>What solutions are there?</h2> <a href="https://theconversation.com/1-million-rides-and-counting-on-demand-services-bring-public-transport-to-the-suburbs-132355">On-demand transport</a> offers potential solutions to some of these issues. Its key feature is flexibility: users can travel between any two points within a service zone, whenever they want. This flexibility can be harnessed to design more inclusive bus services. Without a fixed route or timetable, on-demand services can pick up passengers at their home and drop them directly at their destination. This door-to-door service eliminates the stressful journey to and from a bus stop and their destinations. And with services available on demand, users can plan their travel to complement their daily activities instead of the availability of transport dictating their daily activities. The technology behind on-demand transport also helps reduce the need for customers to consistently restate their mobility needs. Once a customer creates a profile, extra boarding and alighting time is automatically applied to all future bookings. This eliminates the exhaustive process of added planning, and enables drivers to deliver a better experience for all of their passengers. <h2>Examples of on-demand services</h2> Cities around the globe are already using on-demand services to overcome transport disadvantage for people with disabilities. BCGo is one such service in Calhoun County, Michigan. A recent yet-to-be-published survey of BCGo users shows 51% of respondents face mobility challenges that affect their ability to travel. Some 30% have “conditions which make it difficult to walk more than 200 feet” (61m). That means the industry’s assumed walkable distance (400m) is 6.5 times the distance that’s realistically possible for many users of the service. Ring & Ride West Midlands is the UK’s largest on-demand project. It operates across seven zones with over 80 vehicles. The service, recently digitised using <a href="https://www.liftango.com/">Liftango</a>’s technology, is designed to provide low-cost, accessible transport. It can be used for commuting, visiting friends, shopping and leisure activities. Ring & Ride serves as an example of how on-demand service can provide sustainable and equitable transport at scale. It’s completing over 12,000 trips per month. <h2>A call to action for Australian governments</h2> Government policy needs to address not only inadequate bus infrastructure, but those invisible barriers that continue to exclude many people from bus travel. We need a cognitive shift to recognise accessibility is about creating quality experiences from door to destination for everyone. This needs to be paired with a willingness to explore solutions like on-demand transport. Transport authorities worldwide are already embracing these solutions. We cannot continue to rely on the community transport sector to absorb the responsibility of providing transport for people with disabilities, particularly as <a href="https://theconversation.com/eight-simple-changes-to-our-neighbourhoods-can-help-us-age-well-83962">our populations age</a>. Now is the time to have your say. The Transport Standards are <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/transport-accessibility/2022-review-transport-standards">open for public consultation</a> until June 2023. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-on-demand-buses-can-transform-travel-and-daily-life-for-people-with-disabilities-199988" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Travel Tips

10 bike-friendly cities around the world

Amsterdam, The Netherlands When counting down the world’s most bike-friendly cities, where else but Amsterdam could take the top spot? With more bikes than people, the city is structured with cyclists in mind. Low speed limits in the centre curb the impact of the four-wheeled menace, while bike racks on public transport make it easy to take a load off if the saddle gets to be too much. Rental shops are ubiquitous, the terrain is famously flat, and an online bike-specific route planner makes it especially easy for non-locals to get around. Further afield, a countryside of tulip fields and windmills lies within a 30-minute ride from the city centre. It’s no wonder almost half of Amsterdammers commute on two wheels. Copenhagen, Denmark Not riding a bike in Copenhagen is like not riding the trains in India – you’re missing out on a quintessential part of the experience. It’s just a nice bonus that riding a bike is the most convenient way to wander around Copenhagen’s best attractions. Bike lanes abound, as do bike lane-specific traffic signalling. Montreal, Canada If there’s one city in North America built for bicycles, it’s Montreal. However, it’s only been in the past decade that the city has exploited its compact size for the benefit of the cyclist, installing hundreds of kilometres of bike lanes around the city, many segregated from traffic. Coupled with a thriving bike culture and scenic routes around and to its most famous parks, the city makes hopping on a bike an easy decision. And if you don’t already have one, Montreal is home to Bixi, the public bike share company that has exported its modular bike share system technology around the world. Bogota, Colombia Bogota’s ciclorutas crisscross the city, offering cyclists the chance to explore the Colombian capital in the company of the locals. It is by far the most bike-friendly city in South America, with arguably the most extensive bike path network in the world. The cycling network has been integrated with the local bus system, which offers bike parking at stops and stations, and it has been specifically designed to allow bike traffic to flow over Bogota’s topography. Each Sunday several primary and secondary roads are closed to automobiles for the leisurely enjoyment of cyclists and pedestrians. Barcelona, Spain Cycling has been a part of Barcelona’s infrastructure for ages. Any visit to tourist districts of the city will uncover a dozen or more bike tour operators vying for your business. Of course, this enthusiasm for cycling implies that it’s just as easy to tour the sights of the city on your own. In a few hours of riding you can see the iconic Gaudi sculptures in Parc Guell, the Sagrada Familia, the massive Nou Camp soccer stadium and the famous cityside sand of Barcelona beach. The city’s protected cycle lanes and well-signed navigational aids will ensure that you won’t get lost. Berlin, Germany With more than 1,000 kilometres of bike paths, the vast majority of which are protected lanes, it’s no wonder that Berliners love to get around by bike. For the traveller, the major sights are within easy reach on a bicycle. For a true taste of the Berlin bike lifestyle, it’s best to take in a sunny afternoon at the vacant Tempelhof airport, where locals cycle and rollerblade up and down the abandoned runways. Perth, Australia Western Australia’s isolated capital is actually one of the most liveable metropolises in the world thanks to glorious weather and smart city design. A large chunk of the intelligent infrastructure work has come in the form of hundreds of kilometres of bike paths, which allow Perthites to get into and around their city with ease. Commuters enjoy bike lockers and change stations, which are found across the city. For the visitor, numerous scenic routes line the coastline and the local Swan River. What’s more, the best way to see Rottnest Island, a vehicle-free nature park just next to the city, is naturally by bicycle. Paris, France Paris’ Velib’ Métropole public bike sharing system provides everything you need to explore the almost 500 kilometres of bike paths around the French capital. And with so much to see, it’s nice to know that a healthy chunk of those bike paths is protected from manic Parisian motorists. The greatest feature of Paris’ bike system, however, is its ubiquity. A Velib’ station is almost always within sight, or just around the next corner. So after a moonlight cruise past the Eiffel Tower or a sunny ride down the Seine, you need not worry about being left in the lurch. Tokyo, Japan The mega-city of Tokyo has one of the most expansive and futuristic public transit networks on the planet, but its residents still swarm the streets (and sidewalks!) on their bicycles. Though the extent of bike lanes is still limited compared to other transit infrastructure, safe drivers help ease the tension between car and cyclist. Unique automated underground bike parking garages provide for a bit of a technological thrill when you need to stash your ride. Meanwhile, cycling tours of Tokyo are as popular as bike commuting is with the locals, as it’s the best way explore the world’s largest city on a more intimate level. Portland, Oregon, USA American cities are historically notoriously anti-bike. The road networks and suburbs were built for automobiles, long commutes and few pedestrians. But Portland, America’s favourite oddball and progressive city, is decidedly at the forefront of the American bicycle revolution. More than its ubiquitous bike lanes and popular bike share program, the thing that sets Portland apart is the rabid bike culture. The city boasts more cyclists per capita than anywhere else in the USA, and many restaurants and cafes maintain bicycle parking racks. However, the biggest upshot of all this for the visitor whose chain has fallen off is that seemingly every second person is also a bike mechanic. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/travel/destinations/10-bike-friendly-cities-around-the-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

International Travel

Billions are pouring into mobility technology – will the transport revolution live up to the hype?

Over the past decade almost <a href="https://files.pitchbook.com/website/files/pdf/PitchBook_Q4_2019_Emerging_Tech_Research_Mobility_Tech_Executive_Summary.pdf">US$200 billion</a> has been invested globally in mobility technology that promises to improve our ability to get around. More than US$33 billion was invested last year alone. Another measure of interest in this area is the <a href="https://travelandmobility.tech/lists/unicorns/">number of unicorns</a>, which has doubled in the past two years. A unicorn is a privately held startup company valued at US$1 billion or more. In early 2018 there were 22 travel and mobility unicorns. By last month the number had grown to 44. The top categories in the mobility area are: ride hailing, with 11 unicorns (25.0%); autonomous vehicles, with ten (22.7%); and micromobility, with three (6.8%). The remaining 20 unicorns are in the travel category (hotels, bookings and so on). Mobility technology is more than just autonomous vehicles, ride hailing and e-scooters and e-bikes. It also includes: electrification (electric vehicles, charging/batteries); fleet management and connectivity (connectivity, data management, cybersecurity, parking, fleet management); auto commerce (car sharing); transportation logistics (freight, last-mile delivery); and urban air mobility. Promised solutions, emerging problems Much of the interest in mobility technology is coming from individuals outside the transport arena. Startups are attracting investors by claiming their technology will solve many of our transport problems. Micromobility companies believe their e-scooters and e-bikes will solve the “<a href="https://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/9780784413210.007">first-mile last-mile</a>” problem by enabling people to move quickly and easily between their homes or workplaces and a bus or rail station. While this might work in theory, it depends on having <a href="https://theconversation.com/fork-in-the-road-as-danish-and-dutch-style-cycle-routes-spread-19744">safe and segregated bicycle networks</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/people-love-the-idea-of-20-minute-neighbourhoods-so-why-isnt-it-top-of-the-agenda-131193">frequent and widely accessible public transport</a> services. Ride-hailing services might relieve people of the need to own a car. But <a href="https://www.som.com/ideas/publications/som_thinkers_the_future_of_transportation">there is evidence</a> to suggest these services are <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-ride-hail-utopia-that-got-stuck-in-traffic-11581742802">adding to traffic congestion</a>. That’s because, unlike taxis, more of their time on the road involves travelling without any passengers. Navigation tools (Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze) have <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Maps">been around longer</a> than most other mobility technologies and are meant make it easier to find the least-congested route for any given trip. However, <a href="https://people.eecs.berkeley.edu/~theophile/docs/publications/Cabannes_19_ACM.pdf">research</a> suggests these tools might not be working as intended. The <a href="https://www.som.com/ideas/publications/som_thinkers_the_future_of_transportation">backlash</a> against them is growing in some cities because traffic is being directed onto neighbourhood streets rather than arterial roads. Autonomous vehicles have the goal of reducing injuries and deaths from car crashes. Only a few years ago many bold predictions were being made that these self-driving vehicles would be having positive impacts by now, but this hasn’t happened. The enthusiasm for autonomous vehicles has cooled. <a href="https://www.vtpi.org/avip.pdf">Some now believe</a> we won’t see many of the social benefits for decades. The final mobility tech area is known as mobility as a service (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobility_as_a_service">MAAS</a>). It’s basically a platform designed to make better use of existing infrastructure and transport modes. MAAS begins with a journey planner that is linked to one-stop payment for a range of mobility services – ride-hailing, e-scooters, e-bikes, taxis, public transport, and so on. MAAS is the newest entrant in the mobility tech field. It has attracted US$6.8 billion to date, but is expected to grow to <a href="https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/mobility-as-a-service-market-78519888.html">over US$100 billion by 2030</a>. This idea is creating great enthusiasm, not only among private entrepreneurs, but also in the public sector. It’s too early to know whether it will improve transportation. 3 trends are driving investment So, why do venture capitalists <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnfrazer1/2019/03/11/new-mobility-worth-billions-venture-capital-thinks-so/#198cda2247d8">continue to show so much interest</a> in mobility technology startups despite poor company performance to date? It appears they believe personal mobility will become increasingly important. <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnfrazer1/2019/03/11/new-mobility-worth-billions-venture-capital-thinks-so/#198cda2247d8">Three trends</a>support this belief. First, urban dwellers increasingly value the ability to move around easily. It’s thought to be a key ingredient for a liveable city. The problem is public transport is often not very good, particularly in the US and in outer suburbs in Australia. This is due to historically low funding relative to roads. The prospect of more funding and better public transport services in the future is not good. In part that’s because many <a href="https://www.vox.com/2015/8/10/9118199/public-transportation-subway-buses">view public transport as welfare</a> and not an essential public service. Thus, if cities want to become more liveable and competitive, they must look beyond government-funded public transport for other mobility alternatives. The second trend is declining vehicle ownership. Since 1986 US sales of car and light trucks per capita have dropped by <a href="https://www.advisorperspectives.com/dshort/updates/2020/02/04/vehicle-sales-per-capita-our-latest-look-at-the-long-term-trendh">almost 30%</a>. In Australia, new car sales <a href="https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/car-insurance/research/australian-car-sales-statistics.html">remained relatively constant</a> over the past decade, but a <a href="http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/7982-new-vehicle-purchase-intention-march-2019-201905240039">decline since 2017 is expected to continue</a>. These trends are due in part to the cost of owning a vehicle, but also because of a growing view that owning a car may not be necessary. This brings us to the third trend, which involves demographics and the <a href="https://theconversation.com/delay-in-getting-driving-licences-opens-door-to-more-sustainable-travel-57430">post-millennial desire for access to mobility</a> services <a href="https://theconversation.com/car-ownership-is-likely-to-become-a-thing-of-the-past-and-so-could-public-transport-110550">rather than vehicle ownership</a>. These trends, combined with expectations of an upward trend in prices of these services, suggests there may be good times ahead for ride-hailing and micromobility companies. It also means venture capital funding for these startups will not be diminishing in the near future. The future of transport isn’t simple Transport systems are multifaceted. No one single app or technology will solve the challenges. And, as we are discovering, some of the purported solutions to problems might actually be making the situation worse. If the goal is to get people out of their cars (for <a href="https://theconversation.com/designing-suburbs-to-cut-car-use-closes-gaps-in-health-and-wealth-83961">better health and quality of life and a better environment</a>), this will require more than a technology. Better infrastructure and public policies (including better integration of land uses and transport to reduce the need for transport) will be required – <a href="https://theconversation.com/three-charts-on-why-congestion-charging-is-fairer-than-you-might-think-124894">congestion pricing</a>being one of those. That is not to say technological innovations are not welcome as part of the solution, but they are just that … “part” of the solution. Written by Neil G Sipe. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/billions-are-pouring-into-mobility-technology-will-the-transport-revolution-live-up-to-the-hype-131154">The Conversation.</a>

Travel Tips

Summer reads: When you can’t travel, let a book transport you

I don’t understand beach reads. And I’m not the only one. There’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/jun/02/beach-read-summer-books-holiday-vacation">no universal consensus about the category</a>, though the marketing tends to revolve around those books popularly considered disposable, unserious, or at the very least, books “<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/what-exactly-is-a-beach-read-anyway-summery-sexy--or-sexist/2016/08/05/41ea6ea8-58e5-11e6-831d-0324760ca856_story.html?utm_term=.03921e2c51bc">you don’t mind getting wet</a>.” Last year, I toted <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15823480-anna-karenina">Anna Karenina</a> along with me — it got soaked, and I abandoned it in an AirBnB in Dubrovnik, Croatia, after I’d finished reading it. It lasted nearly the whole trip and left a gaping, souvenir-sized hole in my suitcase; it was perfect. So as much as I’d like to dissolve the beach read label entirely, I must also admit I have a type: I want a meaty, absorbing book that takes me further into a vacation by connecting with the cultures that produced it. I want a book that can’t be disposed of, one that will take me somewhere entirely new. What I really want is to decouple the notion of summer reading as a <a href="https://electricliterature.com/what-the-fk-is-a-beach-read-anyway/">lifestyle marker</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/39952655">of class</a> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/what-exactly-is-a-beach-read-anyway-summery-sexy--or-sexist/2016/08/05/41ea6ea8-58e5-11e6-831d-0324760ca856_story.html?utm_term=.ccc299550f05">or gender</a>. If the “<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/the-invention-of-the-beach-read">pursuit of intellectual betterment</a>” feels inaccessible or off-putting, I would like to propose at least the pursuit of expanding our emotional connections. In a cultural climate where the <a href="https://theconversation.com/does-empathy-have-limits-72637">limits of empathy</a> are increasingly under a microscope, forging cross-cultural connections feels like a pressing task. Much has been made of the relationship between <a href="https://science.sciencemag.org/content/342/6156/377">fiction reading</a> and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23383160">empathy</a>, but what happens when the limits of our worldview are bounded by the English language? While <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/census-family-language-highlights-1.4231841">linguistic diversity is growing in Canada</a>, the majority of Canadians still <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/census-wednesday-language-1.4231213">speak only English at home</a>, and <a href="https://www.vulture.com/2019/05/translated-fiction-has-been-growing-or-has-it.html">comparatively few books are translated</a> into English. If, as José Ortega y Gasset proposes, reading in translation should <a href="http://dialogos.ca/2015/09/the-misery-and-the-splendour-of-translation-v-the-splendour/">transport the reader into the language</a> — and therefore the perspective — of the author, then reading translated works may be one of the best ways to expand empathy beyond the boundaries of language. I’m not going abroad this summer, at least not physically. I’ll be staying in Canada, with only my books to pull me to other times and places. While in recent years, I’ve focused on <a href="https://www.vox.com/2015/12/29/10634416/reading-list-books">keeping up with new releases</a>, this year I’m fixated on atmosphere and transportation, in a mix of old favourites and new-to-me classics from around the world. Italy I won’t tell you to read Elena Ferrante, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/apr/30/elena-ferrante-fan-girl-modern-tribes">because you’ve probably heard that before.</a> Instead, I will be delving into the work of Elsa Morante, a <a href="https://www.latimes.com/books/la-ca-jc-elena-ferrante-interview-20180517-htmlstory.html">possible inspiration for Ferrante’s pseudonym</a>. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40180043-arturo-s-island">Arturo’s Island</a>, originally published in English in 1959, has been published in <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/11/books/review-arturos-island-elsa-morante-ann-goldstein.html?auth=login-facebook&login=facebook">a new translation by Ann Goldstein</a> (translator of Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels). The novel promises a mix of the remote island setting steeped in Morante’s preoccupation with social issues and the spectre of war. Poland One of my favourite themes in European literature is that of movement and fluidity, the running sense of unity of purpose amidst myriad diverse pockets of culture. The ubiquity of trains and boats support transcontinental journeys by characters who switch language mid-conversation. Last year’s <a href="https://thebookerprizes.com/international/news/flights-wins-man-booker-international-prize-2018">Man Booker International</a> winner, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36885304-flights?from_search=true">Flights</a> by Olga Tokarczuk takes traveling and travelers as the subject of its interconnected musings, making it an ideal choice for the vacation headspace. This year’s winner, <a href="https://thebookerprizes.com/international/">Celestial Bodies from Oman’s Jokha Alharthi</a>, has an English edition but has not yet been published in Canada. Croatia In my opinion, no contemplation of Pan-European lore can be complete without Dubravka Ugrešic’s <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/baba-yaga-laid-an-egg-by-dubravka-ugresic-1728869.html">Baba Yaga Laid an Egg</a>. Once <a href="https://www.questia.com/magazine/1G1-13827983/five-women-who-won-t-be-silenced-croatia-s-witches">labeled a witch herself</a> and driven into exile from Croatia, Ugrešic’s take on Baba Yaga explores the shifting nature of popular folklore. Nigeria <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18749.Half_of_a_Yellow_Sun?ac=1&from_search=true">Half of a Yellow Sun</a> by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is not a translation, but it will take you to a place that only briefly existed: Biafra, a West African state founded in 1967. While the brutality of recent war may not make a particularly appetizing subject for vacation, Adichie contrasts the brutality with sumptuous descriptions of pre-war food and luxury, giving her vision of Biafra the aura of a lost dream. Adichie has referred to the war as a <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/hiding-from-our-past">shadow over her childhood</a>. Norway There are no beaches in <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6217.Kristin_Lavransdatter?from_search=true">Kristen Lavransdatter</a> and many more Christmases than summers, but if you start Nobel Prize-winner Sigrid Undset’s oeuvre now, it may take you until winter to finish it. Set in Medieval Norway, the book follows the titular Kristen from childhood until death, focusing on her tumultuous love affair and marriage to Erlend Nikulaussøn. Tiina Nunnally’s translation, <a href="https://slate.com/culture/2017/01/why-sigrid-undset-author-of-the-kristin-lavransdatter-trilogy-should-be-the-next-elena-ferrante.html">focusing on plain, stripped-down language,</a> presents a change in philosophy from the first English translation that cut large portions of the text and enforced stiff, archaic language absent from the original Norwegian. Argentina Samanta Schweblin’s <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30763882-fever-dream?from_search=true">Fever Dream</a> is slight in length but packs a heavy punch in both atmosphere and psychological investment. The story of a vacation gone terribly wrong, the novel’s Spanish title closely translates to “<a href="https://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-ca-jc-fever-dream-20170112-story.html">rescue distance</a>,” a recurring concept instantly familiar to parents of young children and terrifying as it becomes repeatedly destabilized. Fever Dream is so unsettling that I sometimes hesitate to recommend it, but I’ve found myself repeatedly drawn back to its tantalizing surrealism. Canada I’ve spent much of my life moving around, and as a recent settler on <a href="https://tkemlups.ca/profile/history/our-land/">unceded Secwepemc territory</a>, I want to learn more about the land I live on. In a summer steeped in fiction, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34733963-secw-pemc-people-land-and-laws?ac=1&from_search=true">Secwépemc People, Land, and Laws</a> by Marianne and Ronald Ignace is the only history on my list, but in many ways it feels similar to the others, reaching out to add a new dimension to a place in which I’m still mostly an outsider. <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/5371282/b-c-fire-season-expected-to-be-busier-than-normal/">For better or for worse</a>, Kamloops feels the most like itself in summer, the climate wants to have its stories told. It can feel intimidating to contemplate a 10,000 year history I know nothing about, but also comforting and necessary to reach back and hear the tales of the land I now call home. Written by Amy McLay Paterson, Assessment and User Experience Librarian, Thompson Rivers University. Republished with permission of <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/summer-reads-when-you-cant-travel-let-a-book-transport-you-119519" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. <img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/119519/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />

Books

7 iconic songs that will transport you back to the '70s

The 1970’s was a simpler time for some, and with hits like these, it’s easy to see why. Listen to the top 7 songs of the 1970’s and take a journey back in time. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_izvAbhExY">Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees</a> This song was made iconic as it played over the opening credits of 1977 film Saturday Night Fever as John Travolta struts through the streets of NYC. The song was written specifically for the film and quickly climbed through the charts. The band was well aware that they were creating a heart-thumping rhythm with the song. "We thought when we were writing it that we should emulate the human heart," Robin Gibb explained in Daniel Rachel's The Art of Noise: Conversations with Great Songwriters. "We got Blue Weaver who was the keyboard player at the time to lie on the floor and put electrodes on his heart and put it through the control room. Then we got the drummer to play the heartbeat. We were the first people in the world to do a drum loop based on that." <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CFuCYNx-1g">Superstition by Stevie Wonder</a> Believe it or not, Stevie Wonder wrote this song about the dangers of believing in superstitions. The song incorporates many elements of rock music, which was ideal for Wonder at the time as it helped extend his appeal to a white audience. It worked as it was his second #1 hit in the U.S. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFrGuyw1V8s">Dancing Queen by ABBA</a> ABBA had recorded this song a year before it was released, and it was written around the same time as “Fernando”. However, they chose to release Fernando as the single as they knew they were onto something big with Dancing Queen. This song was the only one of ABBA’s 14 US Top 40 hits to make it to number one and it’s easy to see why. The song also reached number one in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Rhodesia, South Africa, Sweden and Germany. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgl-VRdXr7I">Killing Me Softly With His Song by Roberta Flack</a> The story goes that the inspiration for this song is Don McLean, who was famous for American Pie. The songwriting team of Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel intimately wrote the track back in 1973, and it wasn’t until Roberta Flack heard the original artist sing the song that she decided to record it herself. Charles Fox first heard from Flack after Quincy Jones gave her his number. “I was at Paramount Pictures one day walking through the music library, and someone handed me a telephone and said, 'This is for you.' And the voice on the other end of the line said, 'Hi, this is Roberta Flack. We haven't met, but I'm going to sing your songs.' “So it was kind of magical at that - that thing just doesn't happen to people. She had just won the Grammy Award for '<a href="https://www.songfacts.com/facts/roberta-flack/first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face">First Time Ever I Saw Your Face</a>.' Beautiful record. So it's kind of remarkable to get a call from her in the first place. And she did go on to sing other songs. And actually, she sang on the main title for me of a show that was called Valerie after Valerie Harper." <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQZmCJUSC6g">You’re So Vain by Carly Simon</a> It looks like no one apart from Simon herself will know who she’s singing about, although this hasn’t stopped people from trying to figure it out. Rumours include Warren Beatty, Kris Kristofferson, Cat Stevens and Mick Jagger. However, Richard Perry, who produced the album, has his own ideas about who the song is about. He said in the book The Record Producers: "It's about a compilation of men that Carly had known, but primarily Warren Beatty." <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUzIMcZQ">Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen</a> It seems like no one will know what this song is about either, apart from the band and Freddie Mercury himself. When pressed, Mercury remained tight-lipped. Mercury himself stated, "It's one of those songs which has such a fantasy feel about it. I think people should just listen to it, think about it, and then make up their own minds as to what it says to them." The band has always been very keen to let listeners interpret the music in a way that’s personal to them instead of imposing their own meaning on the songs. The song was Queen’s first Top 10 hit in the US. In the UK, the song shot up to #1 and stayed there for nine weeks, which was a record for the time. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrcwRt6J32o">Bridge over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel</a> Paul Simon wrote this song about providing comfort to a person in need. He revealed this in the documentary The Marking of Bridge Over Troubled Water. “I have no idea where it came from,” Simon said. “It came all of the sudden. It was one of the most shocking moments in my songwriting career. I remember thinking, 'This is considerably better than I usually write." Upon its release, it was one of the few songs to top the US and UK charts at the same time. It was #1 in the US for six weeks and #1 in the UK for three.

Music

The new train rule that started on June 15 – did you know about it?

Good news! Due to a new move from Auckland Transport, pet owners will be able to take their furry and feathery friends on Auckland trains. The move has been in place since June 15 and allows owners to travel with their pets, as long as they’re in a cage or other carrier that would fit under a seat or on their owners' laps. There are restrictions to the move though. Owners with their pets in tow will be able to travel outside of peak hours only, as well as on weekends and on public holidays. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> Today's the day Auckland! The trial for pets on trains has started and we would love to see your purr-fect photos so get snapping and tag us in 📸🐶🐱🐦🐇<a href="https://t.co/3RUxyEHkx4">https://t.co/3RUxyEHkx4</a> <a href="https://t.co/YaZYaS6KJf">pic.twitter.com/YaZYaS6KJf</a> — Auckland Transport (@AklTransport) <a href="https://twitter.com/AklTransport/status/1140001216182837251?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">15 June 2019</a></blockquote> Auckland Councillor Cathy Casey said that it was a great step forward. She told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12239815" target="_blank">NZ Herald</a>: "It is good news for the owners of Auckland's 103,000 registered dogs. Our pets are an integral part of our lives and I am very pleased that we can now travel with them on off-peak trains across the region. I expect the trial to be a howling success." Auckland Transport spokeswoman Stavey can der Putten said that the trial was one of the steps that they’re taking to make public transport more accessible. It is also great for many Aucklanders who do not have access to a vehicle to take their animal to the vet or to explore the city. Pet owners will also be responsible for cleaning up the messes their pets leave on the train. One woman was ecstatic about the news and already took advantage of the transport system, snapping photos of her dog on the train. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en-gb"> <a href="https://t.co/wUdGvVREc6">pic.twitter.com/wUdGvVREc6</a> — Far Stucker (@Far_Stucker) <a href="https://twitter.com/Far_Stucker/status/1140506369511981058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">17 June 2019</a></blockquote>

Family & Pets

This is how weather affects the trips we make

What sorts of weather lead us to change our daily travel behaviour? How do we respond to scorching heatwaves, sapping humidity, snow and frost, strong winds, or torrential rain? International research shows weather is important in shaping our everyday movements. The research evidence suggests that bad weather can lead to planned journeys being rescheduled, rerouted or cancelled. The consequences of these shifts in daily travel choices can include increases in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S136192090800165X">traffic congestion and accidents</a>, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S136192090800165X">travel delays</a>, mental stress, environmental pollution and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965856416306206">general travel dissatisfaction</a>. Because people who travel by bike or walking are most likely to change travel plans in bad weather, some cities are responding with innovations such as <a href="http://www.dw.com/en/the-netherlands-tests-heated-cycle-lanes/a-18971259">heated bicycle lanes</a> and <a href="https://blogs.ethz.ch/engagingmobility/2016/05/03/bicycle-infrastructure-in-singapore-an-overview/">sheltered walkways</a>. Why do we care about the weather? Firstly, how do we explain people’s common obsession with the weather? As <a href="http://www.samueljohnson.com/england.html">Samuel Johnson</a> put it: <blockquote> It is commonly observed, that when two Englishmen meet, their first talk is of the weather; they are in haste to tell each other, what each must already know, that it is hot or cold, bright or cloudy, windy or calm. </blockquote> Is this merely a keen (or indeed pathological) interest in the subject? <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Watching-English-Hidden-Rules-Behaviour/dp/0340818867">According to Kate Fox</a>, these conversations are not really about the weather at all: weather-speak is a form of code, evolved to help Anglo-Australian people overcome their natural reserve and actually talk to one another. Weather-speak can be used as a greeting, as an ice-breaker, and/or as a “filler” subject. But, beyond its use as a conversation prop and social bonding device, weather does play a major role in travel behaviour. And as the impacts of climate change unfold, the severity and frequency of extreme weather conditions are predicted to increase. A better understanding of the dynamics of the relationship between weather and travel behaviour is thus essential in helping cities develop transport and planning responses appropriate to their conditions. What do we know about the weather-travel relationship? It’s complicated. Research on the weather-travel relationship has revealed that effects vary by mode of travel. Active transport, such as walking and cycling, is the most vulnerable to variations in the weather. Arriving drenched is both uncomfortable and impractical, so we might drive rather than face this prospect. Wet weather forecasts are likely to <a href="http://www.fietsberaad.nl/library/repository/bestanden/Sabir%20et%20al%20(2010a).Pdf">trigger a travel mode shift</a> as travellers opt for greater comfort and safety. But the day of the week also affects these decisions. Inclement weather is <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0968090X1730311X">more likely to reduce</a> weekend and off-peak travel – the so-called <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965856414002195">discretionary trips</a> – than standard weekday commute trips. Clearly, travel purpose plays a stronger role than weather. Significant variation exists in the effects of weather on trip-makers with <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11116-015-9623-0">different individual characteristics and household composition</a>. For example, <a href="https://trid.trb.org/view/482123">commuters with children</a> are less likely to alter their travel because of the weather. This is possibly due to their household responsibilities. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0966692314000957">Geographic variations</a> across the transit network have been observed too. Bad weather has more serious effects in areas with less frequent services and without protected bus and rail stops. Travellers in areas with more frequent services and well-designed shelters appear to be <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0968090X1730311X">less sensitive to bad weather</a>. In areas with high population densities, the effect of weather also appears to weaken. This is particularly the case for active transportation such as <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0966692314001951">cycling</a>. How we travel during inclement weather also involves more subtle changes. Trip chaining, or the process of stringing together multiple smaller journeys into a larger one, is reduced in complexity, particularly <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11116-015-9623-0">on rainy days</a>. In terms of “extreme” weather, not all types have the same effect. Heavy precipitation (snow or rain) and, to a lesser extent, extremely high or low temperatures <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262900761_Impact_of_Everyday_Weather_on_Individual_Daily_Travel_Behaviours_in_Perspective_A_Literature_Review">appear to have</a> a <a href="https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-Impact-of-Climate-Change-and-Weather-on-An-of-Koetse-Rietveld/93b6e6516ad21a549096a97348fc8f56774396d3">greater effect</a> on travel behaviour than strong winds or high humidity. Adapting to weather conditions We cannot change the weather. But we can plan our transport systems to be more resilient and better shield us from the weather when we travel. If we don’t do this, we will face the same crisis as Transport for London. Since its privatisation, its train services experience delays every autumn and winter due to “<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slippery_rail">leaves on the line</a>” and “<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_wrong_type_of_snow">the wrong type of snow</a>”. What kind of transport adaptations are available and work? The options range from offering passengers a more diverse choice of modes, to improving existing infrastructure. For example, making public transport stations more user-friendly could soften the impact of bad weather. More seamless interchanges may have a strong effect, as commuters generally find modal transfers stressful. Temperature-controlled, covered or underground transfer stations would protect passengers while between modes of transport. Active travel infrastructure is particularly important. Cities that are committed to supporting non-motorised transport have implemented or proposed bold policies. We see examples of this around the world. Increasingly hot Madrid is <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/3056166/madrid-is-covering-itself-in-plants-to-help-fight-rising-temperatures">covering itself in trees</a> to assist pedestrians. Frosty Dutch cities are testing <a href="http://www.dw.com/en/the-netherlands-tests-heated-cycle-lanes/a-18971259">heated bicycle lanes</a>. Arid Doha has floated the idea of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmmdjquL9Tc">cooled bicycle paths</a>. And Singapore plans to expand the city’s network of <a href="https://blogs.ethz.ch/engagingmobility/2016/05/03/bicycle-infrastructure-in-singapore-an-overview/">sheltered walkways</a>. Projecting roofs and porticoes shield us from the hot sun or precipitation. Vegetation lessens the impacts of both cold wind in temperate and subpolar latitudes and hot sunshine elsewhere. Beyond these incremental interventions, a fundamental rethink of our urban design approach is necessary. The key to limiting and adapting to the effects of weather on travel may well be the “<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-30-minute-city-how-do-we-put-the-political-rhetoric-into-practice-56136">30-minute city</a>”. But this can only be achieved through high densities and mixed land use – concepts that have so far generated <a href="https://theconversation.com/30-minute-city-not-in-my-backyard-smart-cities-plan-must-let-people-have-their-say-59161">fierce resistance and NIMBYism</a> in Australia. Another word of caution. What works in one climate zone might not work in another. This is because human bodies and minds adjust and develop different expectations and tolerance to weather and temperature patterns. For example, the <a href="https://theconversation.com/heres-what-bike-sharing-programs-need-to-succeed-85969">optimal temperature range for cycling</a> is as broad as 4-40°C in continental climates, but as narrow as 15-32°C in subtropical climates.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/93724/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> Written by Jonathan Corcoran, Professor, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland; Dorina Pojani, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, The University of Queensland; Francisco Rowe, Lecturer in Quantitative Human Geography, University of Liverpool; Jiangping Zhou, Associate Professor, Department of Urban Planning and Design, University of Hong Kong; Jiwon Kim, Lecturer in Transport Engineering, The University of Queensland; Ming Wei, PhD Candidate, The University of Queensland; Sui Tao, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Institute of Future Cities, Chinese University of Hong Kong; Thomas Sigler, Lecturer in Human Geography, The University of Queensland, and Yan Liu, Associate Professor, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/too-wet-too-cold-too-hot-this-is-how-weather-affects-the-trips-we-make-93724">The Conversation</a>.

International Travel

Can you spot the mistake in this Aussie bus sign?

Brisbane commuters have drawn attention to a typo in the city’s buses. About 100 buses operating in the Brisbane City Council have carried an information sticker advising passengers that smoking and consumption of food and drink are prohibited on the bus. However, passengers have identified an oversight on the sticker. The word “consumption” was misspelled as “comsumption”, leading many to question if the signs had been proofread before they were distributed to the vehicles. <img style="width: 422.7212681638045px; height: 500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7825842/reddit.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/161e2fb2e931443388d23896a1808030" /> <blockquote class="reddit-card" data-card-created="1554946472"><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/brisbane/comments/baztj8/every_single_brisbane_bus_how_have_i_not_noticed/">Every. Single. Brisbane. Bus. How have I not noticed this?</a> from <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/brisbane">r/brisbane</a></blockquote> “Someone had one job...” one wrote on Reddit. “What an embarrassment,” another commented. One added, “I hate that you showed me this. Now I'm going to be irritated! You could have left me in my blissful ignorance.” Others pointed out that not all buses in the council were affected. “I'm on a bus right now and checked for this sign immediately. There's no typo and I'm actually disappointed,” one responded. A council spokesperson told <a rel="noopener" href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/can-spot-embarrassing-mistake-brisbane-bus-sticker-235649000.html" target="_blank">Yahoo News Australia</a> that it was aware of the misprint on the sticker, which was displayed in fewer than 100 of the city’s fleet of 1,200 buses. “An audit is underway and Council will ensure all stickers identified with a misspelled word are replaced by the end of the week,” said the spokesperson.

Travel Trouble

Just like us! Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan spotted catching public transport

The Duchess of Sussex sent social media into a frenzy after she was snapped closing her own car door during her first solo appearance this week. And now, it seems that her normalcy is rubbing off on husband Prince Harry, with the couple spotted catching the train from an event at Loughborough University on Monday. Taking to Twitter to share her excitement, one fan posted a video of the Duke and Duchess departing a train from Loughborough station. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Bizarrely sharing my train with Harry & Meghan today 🤷‍♂️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LoughboroughToLeicester?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LoughboroughToLeicester</a> <a href="https://t.co/wStziRomMU">pic.twitter.com/wStziRomMU</a> — Jonny Norton (@JonnyNorton_) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonnyNorton_/status/1044265066886041603?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">24 September 2018</a></blockquote> “Bizarrely sharing my train with Harry & Meghan today,” Twitter user Jonny Norton captioned the video. The royal pair were seen holding hands as they walked through the station, surrounded by minders and security. But it’s not the first time the couple have travelled by public transport to an event. The couple also caught a train to their first official visit in Cardiff – which ended up being delayed. “Most of you have freezing cold hands! We’re very sorry we’re late. Blame the trains!” Harry apologised when they turned up an hour late. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have also been seen getting on the train on a number of occasions, while Meghan was fortunate enough to score a ride on Queen Elizabeth’s luxurious private train. The Duchess of Sussex travelled overnight with the 92-year-old monarch to their first joint engagement together in Cheshire in June.

International Travel

4 public transport experiences you must have overseas

I'm still not a convert to those flashy, chugging tour buses that clog the central boroughs of London and the boulevards of Los Angeles. Some people swear by them. A few rounds on one to get my bearings of the arrondissements of Paris made jetlagged bodies feel like we had achieved and learned something, but, tellingly, I've never hopped on such a bus again. Likewise, I'm not a runner (or even a jogger) who shakes off the out-of-sync sleep cycles with a sweat around the neighbourhoods of their hotel or hostel. I do however, recommend getting to know a city like one of its commuters at least once or twice. What's more, if you choose the right methods and routes you can get your own little tour passing some of each cities famous sites, like these options below: London For a tour-bus-beating £1.50 on your tourist Oyster card, board London's heritage red Routemaster bus No 15 at Tower Hill, beside the infamous Tower of London, heading towards Trafalgar Square. Snag a seat on the second level to take in the journey's views of the Monument to the Great Fire of London, St Paul's Cathedral and Fleet St, before finally alighting next to Trafalgar Square to see Nelson's Column and the area's galleries and museums Lisbon Famous for both its steep terrain and trundling yellow trams, avoid one and embrace the other in Portugal's capital Lisbon. The city is one of western Europe's warmest and cheapest – a winning combination. Make it even better value by catching the canary-hued No 28 tram for €2.90 on-board or €6.10 for a city-wide day pass to tackle the hills and see the view. From its start at Square Martim Moniz in central Baixa, through past the narrow alleys and tiled houses of Alfama to the castle near the stop for Portas del Sol, the screeching around corners and heavy braking is all part of the fun. There is a red tram that follows a very similar view with more guidance and a higher fare. Both are busy with tourists, so head out early in the morning or in the evening and beware of pickpockets who target the route. Hong Kong A trip to Honkers isn't complete without a cross-harbour journey between Hong Kong island and Kowloon on one of the little green Star Ferries that run from 7am to 11pm between Central, Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui piers. For HKD$2.70 the harbour hop is a bargain and the views are spectacular, particularly at night when the skyscrapers light up. This Asian metropolis might have efficient and modern subways and rail networks but the little green boat service launched in 1888 is what you'll remember. New York The Big Apple is awash with tourist hustlers and hop-on, hop-off tours, but avoid them by riding Manhattan's bus route No 1. With a pay-per-ride MetroCard and for about US$5.50 you can enjoy a massive loop stretching from Harlem, past Central Park down to Midtown and Friends-esque Greenwich Village. It uses famous streets Fifth Ave and Madison Ave so you'll pass plenty of chi-chi boutique and big-name stores. Keep an eye out for the Museum of Modern Art (Moma) and crane your neck skywards to see the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Centre. As Fifth Ave bisects Broadway, grab snaps of the Flat Iron building before hopping off at the route's most southerly point to enjoy the grub served up in Chinatown and Little Italy. Or walk a few blocks to stroll the New York High Line – a disused elevated railway-turned-urban garden walkway. Have you had any of these public transport experiences? Written by Josh Martin. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a>.

International Travel

Is the world really ready for driverless cars?

Kent Kwan is co-founder of <a href="https://www.atlastrend.com/" target="_blank">AtlasTrend</a>. With 15 years of professional experience in investing and international financial markets, Kent has successfully managed more than $1 billion in funds invested in international-listed shares. The development of driverless cars is a poignant example of how technology can advance rapidly and has the potential to greatly impact various aspects of our lives and businesses. Despite the increased awareness and concerns around how urban sprawl, population growth and the increased affordability of cars contribute to climate change, there is no denying that cars will have a place in our world into the foreseeable future. Not only do they give us individual freedom of movement, the extensive road networks that have been built to support them also allow the movement of goods and services. With the inevitable march towards ‘the internet of things’, consumers and businesses are now, more than ever, demanding ever-faster delivery of these goods and services. From the comfort of your sofa and with just your mobile or tablet device, you can order just about anything from a gift on eBay, to home delivery pizza, to your weekly groceries, and expect that they be delivered to your door in a matter of hours, if not sooner. Development of driverless cars speeding ahead The leaders in Silicon Valley have taken notice and are investing directly or indirectly in the automotive industry with a view to improving road safety as well as improve efficiencies in road transport generally. Google is testing autonomous cars, Apple has partnered with car manufacturers to produce seamless in-car entertainment and communication and then there is Tesla Motors, the manufacturer of fully electric cars founded by Elon Musk, who made his initial fortune through PayPal. Traditional players such as Ford and BMW are already testing their own driverless vehicles, with Volvo promising to have them on the road by 2017. And then there is Uber, which has already shaken up the road transport industry with its so-called ‘ride-sharing service’. While controversial, it has been game-changing and continues to expand into new markets. Uber’s on-demand delivery division, UberRUSH, has recently launched its application program interface (API) to third parties with the idea of providing e-tailers another means of offering same-day delivery to their customers. In May 2016, the company revealed that it had begun testing self-driving cars in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It has also been rumoured to have engaged in talks with Fiat Chrysler and other manufacturers regarding potential tie ups involving driverless cars. <img width="500" height="529" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/26595/driverless-car-in-text_500x529.jpg" alt="Driverless -car -in -text" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Winners and losers from driverless cars The potential benefits of driverless cars are hard to quantify at this time but there is no doubt that there will be great savings in efficiency, time and overall productivity to be gained from vehicles that drive themselves. Examples include: <ul> <li>Logistics will be greatly improved and peak hour traffic should lessen with better radar guidance control and telematics (gathering of information and communication between cars).</li> <li>Roads are likely to be safer with less reliance on human drivers and associated dangers such as drink-driving, speeding, fatigue and inattention, particularly as a result of unsafe use of technology while driving.</li> <li>Maintenance will be better managed as software increasingly becomes a key part of a car and becomes more adept at detecting and solving mechanical issues, preventing more expensive and complex repairs down the line.</li> </ul> It would be reasonable to assume that businesses would be the earliest adopters of such technology as they would be able to view the technology from an economic, rather than an emotional, perspective. Trucking companies would no longer have to worry about the safety of their drivers (and the goods they are carrying) who may otherwise be facing tough time pressures while driving over long distances. Courier services can save on labour costs and improve delivery times. Industries which stand to be potentially worse off from such technology include: <ul> <li>Airlines: increased efficiency and safety of roads is likely to reduce the need for short haul flights.</li> <li>Car parts: fewer accidents and better ‘driving’ means less wear and tear, and ultimately, less need for maintenance and consumables.</li> <li>Insurance: premiums are likely to drop with safer roads and fewer instances of accidents</li> <li>Car parks: as cars will be able to move around continuously, there will be less need for long and medium term car spaces.</li> </ul> Resource companies have also been using large driverless trucks in and around mine sites. Self-or assisted-parking has been a feature in mass production cars for a few years now. With so many large multi-nationals now playing in this space, the march towards an entirely new industry seems inevitable. Even Tesla expects to have a fully autonomous vehicle ready for production by 2018, although it notes that regulatory approval, not technological barriers, may be the biggest hurdle against seeing them on the road. Regulators will undoubtedly focus on public safety factors of this technology and the industry still has much more testing work to do. Technology does moves fast - while flying cars may still seem like they belong in sci-fi films, it is not too far a stretch of the imagination that one day soon your taxi to the airport will come without a driver. Whether or not you will have to load and unload your own bags remains to be seen. Are you comfortable with your investments? What do you make of this advice? Let us know in the comments below. Would you like to learn more about other advanced global trends that may have a huge impact on how you live and your investments? Try <a href="https://www.atlastrend.com/register/?group=oversixty" target="_blank">AtlasTrend</a> for free to find out more today. Any advice contained in this communication is general advice only. None of the information provided is, or should be considered to be, personal financial advice. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/money-banking/2016/08/10-more-items-you-must-never-buy-at-the-supermarket/">10 more items you must never buy at the supermarket</a> <a href="/finance/money-banking/2016/07/understanding-the-huge-power-of-big-data/">Understanding the huge power of big data</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/07/20-simple-ways-to-save-when-grocery-shopping/">20 simple ways to save when grocery shopping</a>

Money & Banking

The best way to see Switzerland

Justine Tyerman, 61, is a New Zealand journalist, travel writer and sub-editor. Married for 36 years, she lives in rural surroundings near Gisborne on the East Coast of New Zealand with her husband Chris. Drifting down a crocodile-infested Ghanaian river in a boat with a broken motor was just the sort of epiphany my young Swiss friend needed to shock him into an appreciation of the transport system he had taken for granted all his life. As we zipped effortlessly and quietly by train through the unbelievably picturesque Swiss countryside, I complimented Rafael, a Swiss-German in his mid-20s, on the punctuality, cleanliness, comfort and efficiency of his country's superb transport system – but to my amazement, he screwed up his nose at my praise and professed feelings of frustration at such a well-oiled system. "It's so well-behaved, so predictable, so... so Swiss," he said. "That's why I went to Ghana last year – to experience a country as different as possible from the perfectness of Switzerland. I wanted chaos and unpredictability." And Rafael got what he was after. "Ghana was über-chaotic, especially the transport," he said. "We were stranded for a couple of hours in a boat on a river before the skipper managed to restart the motor. There were crocs in the water and the boat had seriously low sides. My girlfriend wasn't happy," he said. Then, a few days later, the vehicle they were travelling in broke down and they were marooned in the middle of nowhere for three hours in the extreme heat before a mechanic arrived by bus with a replacement radiator. Rafael said he came home with renewed appreciation and grudging respect for the transport system of his motherland. Such things would never happen in Switzerland. Ah the young, I thought at the time. They always need something to rebel against and in an orderly place like Switzerland, the only thing this charming young man could target was the perfect transport system. So to the rest of the world, for whom gleaming, clean, modern trains, boats and buses that run precisely on time and never break down are a huge novelty and a joy, I say go to Switzerland. And buy a Swiss Travel Pass which allows you to travel on all public transport – trains, boats and buses in 75 towns and cities across the entire country – with no fussing about queuing for tickets or operating vending machines at deserted stations. The Swiss Travel Pass (from three to 15 days) also allows free entry to more than 490 museums and gives holders 50 percent off most of the magnificent mountain railways. There are many options but best of all, children under 16 travel free when accompanied by an adult with a pass. The network of trains, buses and boats is astounding – it's the densest public transport system in the world with over 26,000 kilometres of rail, road and waterway routes. Even the tiniest of villages in the remote countryside and the high alps have rail links. It's the lifeblood of the countryside and enables the Swiss to maintain their village lifestyle and commute to the cities to work. The rail is electric so it's quiet and clean and non-invasive. I quickly became a Swiss rail convert, travelling many of the main lines between towns and cities and the panoramic and mountain routes too. My introduction was the Jura Foot Line which links Basel and Geneva, passing through picturesque vineyards and villages and skirting three sparkling blue lakes as it traverses the rugged, sub-alpine terrain of the Jura Range, including the famous Creux du Van rock formation. Determined to give my pass a thorough work-out, I also travelled by boat from Switzerland's most beautiful baroque town, Solothurn on the River Aare, to Biel on Lake Biel. The afternoon was warm and sunny, so we sat on the top deck of the long riverboat, drinking in the stunning views of the Jura ... and a glass of Swiss chasselas. Hugely confident after just a few days, instead of taking the direct route on my itinerary from Yverdon-les-Bains on Lake Neuchâtel to Interlaken at the foot of the Jungfrau, I opted for the Golden Pass Line scenic route through the Swiss Alps. "It's much longer," said a Swiss transport advisor whose intention was to get me from Y to I as efficiently as possible. "Who cares," I replied. "I don't mind how long I sit on a Swiss train – it's a bonus." Five hours later I disembarked at Interlaken, my nose squashed from having pressed it to the panoramic window of the luxurious carriage for the duration of the impossibly scenic trip through alpine meadows and valleys with soaring, snow-capped mountains and glaciers on either side. The mountain railways are in a league of their own. I travelled the historic Jungfrau Railway which takes passengers from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch at 3454m, the highest-altitude railway station in Europe. The top section of the cog railway climbs through a tunnel in the Eiger and Mönch mountains, an audacious project finished in 1912 after 16 years' construction. The view from the Sphinx Terrace at the "Top of Europe" is quite literally breath-taking and dizzying. At 3571m the air is noticeably thinner and I wasn't sure whether I was suffering a touch of altitude sickness or was just completely bowled over by the spectacular 360 degree panorama of the row upon row of mountain peaks and glaciers. The mountain railways operate all year round and are an essential service, offering the only access to remote alpine ski villages like Kleine Scheidegg. The booking system is effortless too. I went to a ticket office in Grindelwald with what I thought was a nightmare set of connections whereupon David calmly typed in the details and came up with a print-out of all the information I needed to get me from Grindelwald to Berne airport. He confidently assured me that six minutes between trains was exactly sufficient time to go from one platform to the next... and it was. It had been calculated to the millisecond. My next trip is to take the slowest express train ride in the world, the Glacier Express, which meanders through the alps from St Moritz to Zermatt in eight hours, crossing 291 bridges and passing through 91 tunnels. I can't wait. When I retire I plan to buy a <a href="http://www.raileurope.com.au/" target="_blank">Swiss Travel Pass</a> and spend the rest of my life travelling Switzerland by train – there are dining cars on many of the trains so I'll be ok for food. Sleep, however, is another matter. The seats are superbly comfortable, but the views are too good to miss... I'll only be able to sleep in the tunnels. Have you travelled on the Swiss transport system before? Share your experience with us in the comments below. * Justine Tyerman travelled courtesy of <a href="http://www.myswitzerland.com" target="_blank">Switzerland Tourism</a>. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/06/10-best-rated-tourist-landmarks-in-europe-tripadvisor/">10 best-rated tourist landmarks in Europe revealed</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/domestic-travel/2016/06/10-lesser-known-new-zealand-holiday-spots/">10 lesser-known New Zealand holiday spots</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/06/tips-for-travelling-in-europe/">5 quick tips for travelling in Europe</a>

International Travel

Tokyo’s incredible train-pushing phenomenon

Tokyo has one of the best-connected public transport systems in the world, but for some passengers that morning commute can be quite an experience. Certain train stations are flooded with commuters of a morning, making it virtually impossible for passengers to get on a train safely and of their own volition. This had led to the introduction of ‘pushers’. Pushers are train staff that literally push commuters onto crowded trains and help the doors close safely. As you see in the video above, it’s an art form! Commuters must be cooperative to make sure they all make it onto the train safely, and the pushers provide a little bit of helpful assistance when required. To see the pushers in action, watch the video above. Have you ever visited Tokyo, and while you were there did you brave the train system? What was the favourite thing about your visit? Share your story in the comments below. Video credit: YouTube / taka shima Related links: <a href="/travel/international/2016/06/japan-beach-illuminated-by-mysterious-natural-phenomenon/">Japan beach illuminated by mysterious natural phenomenon</a> <a href="/travel/travel-tips/2016/04/10-incredible-things-to-do-in-tokyo/">10 incredible things to do in Tokyo</a> <a href="/travel/international/2015/12/shibuya-pedestrian-crossing-japan/">The busiest pedestrian crossing in the world</a>

International Travel

Rare photos depict life on the North Korea subway

Getting from point A to point B can be quite an experience on a busy day, but when you’re living in North Korea commuting is another experience entirely. Tasmania-based photographer Elliott Davies has made a series of photographs that charts his experience travelling through the North Korean underground system. Buried 110 metres below the ground, this underground is supposed the deepest in the world and each station decorated with paintings, statues and propaganda. While North Korea probably isn’t the first place on most of our holiday lists, this video does provide an interesting look at life above the 38th parallel. What did you think of these photographs, and how do you feel it compares to your experience of public transport in our country? Please let us know in the comments below. Related links: <a href="/travel/international/2016/05/10-breathtaking-restored-images-of-iconic-world-landmarks/">10 breathtaking restored images of iconic world landmarks</a> <a href="/travel/international/2016/05/earth-horizon-international-space-station-video/">Earth’s horizon from the International Space Station</a> <a href="/travel/international/2016/05/incredible-photos-reveal-world-hidden-beauty/">10 incredible photos reveal the world’s hidden beauty</a>

International Travel

Futuristic hoverbus to tackle China’s traffic problem

A futuristic solution to China’s significant traffic problems has been unveiled at a technology expo in Beijing, although it’s definitely not one for nervous commuters. Looking like an urban catamaran, the Transit Elevated Bus (TEB) literally sails above traffic jams, racing along highways at 60km/h over vehicles less than two metres high. China has been one of the most congested, car-dependant countries in the world since 2009, but this move could provide much-needed relief for commuters. The TEB’s inventor, Song Youzhou, says it can transports 1400 commuters at any one time, replacing 40 normal buses. Figures suggest the TEB could be produced at 20 per cent of the cost of an underground train and could be rolled out quickly, with reports suggesting there will be trails on the streets of Qinhuangdao in eastern China later this summer. While questions remain about how practical and safe the invention would be (especially at boarding and departure points) it’s certainly the example of some creative thinking! To see the prototype of the TEB watch the video above. Do you think it’s a good idea, and could you ever see yourself catching one of these? Please let us know in the comments below. Video credit: YouTube / CCTV News Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/04/cat-meets-dogs-at-dog-show/" target="_blank">Watch this friendly cat meet 50 dogs at a dog show</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/04/prince-george-president-barack-obama-photos/" target="_blank">The story behind Prince George’s presidential photos</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/04/lifeguard-helps-wheelchair-bound-veteran-surf/" target="_blank">Lifeguard helps make wheelchair-bound army vet's dream come true</a>

News

Wonderful time-lapse video of NYC subway

Public transport and a sense of tranquillity don’t often go together in the same sentence. But tranquil is just how you’ll feel when you watch this time-lapse video of the New York City subway. Filmed from the driver’s perspective and sped up 10x, this video provides an interesting look at one of the world’s most iconic forms of public transport. This video shows the subway route from 168th street to Brooklyn. Video credit: YouTube / Dj Hammers<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyo3FdxKWiVZt0b7zJwb7vw" class="yt-uix-sessionlink g-hovercard spf-link "> </a> Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/01/odd-and-amazing-toilets-from-around-the-world/">12 odd (but amazing) toilets from around the world</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/01/how-i-drove-a-motorhome-around-the-world/">When I retired I drove a motorhome around the world</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/01/10-most-amazing-man-made-structures/">10 most amazing man-made structures</a>

International Travel

7 of the world’s best iconic public transport experiences

Everyone in the world has to get from point A to point B at some point. We’ve taken a look at seven of the world’s most iconic forms of public transport. Some are impressive in their efficiency, some possess an iconic status and others are worth mentioning because they’re just downright crazy! 1. Street Car – New Orleans, USA They might not be as quick as the local bus, but the New Orleans Street Cars are infinitely more charming. Buy a one, three or 31-day unlimited ride “Jazzy Pass” and head around town in style on the St. Charles, Canal Street or Riverfront lines. Street Cars are definitely the best way to get around town and really symbolise the romance and charm of this beautiful part of the world. 2. Gondola – Venice, Italy Definitely not the cheapest way to get around this old city but it’s definitely the most iconic. And even if it’s become a little touristy over the years, your trip to Venice just isn’t complete until you take one of these water taxis (dating back to the 12th century). If you’re looking to save some money consider the traghetti. It will only cross the Grand Canal, but it costs just four euros. 3. Subway – New York, USA Transferring thousands of New Yorkers around Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs every day. Offering service around the clock all year round, the subway is significantly cheaper than it used to be. Local New Yorkers have the subway timetable memorised and know the best way to jump off and on extra subways to get to their ultimate destination in as little time as possible. 4. The Tube – London, England Considered by many to be one of the world’s oldest mass transit systems and provides an easy and effective way to get around this iconic city. By this time the network has expanded to include 11 lines and is the world’s 11th busiest metro system. Despite the name however, only 45 per cent of the tube’s stations and lines are underground, which is quite often the case with these things. 5. Tuk Tuk – Bangkok, Thailand This is more of an experience than a convenient way to get around, and while its Bangkok’s most recognisable transportation features it’s still pretty popular around tourists and visitors. Make sure you don’t get ripped off by the Tuk Tuk driver. Fare negotiating and haggling is a must for visitors getting a Bangkok Tuk Tuk and the drivers will always suggest an inflated rate if you’re a tourist. 6. Tokyo Metro – Tokyo, Japan If you happen to find yourself in the capital city of the land of the rising sun you have to take a ride on the famous Tokyo Metro. Two companies operate lines which is actually a pretty cheap way of getting around. It’s not uncommon to come across a “pusher” on the busier lines which really makes you appreciate how uncrowded public transport happens to be in our country. 7. Tram – Amsterdam, Netherlands Many locals use a bicycle to get around town when they’re visiting Amsterdam but if you need to get somewhere quickly you need to use a tram. And it’s a pretty effective way to get around town really, and while it won’t compare to a cycle it beats dealing with some busy cycling path. Related links: <div class="advert" style="margin: 20px 0 20px 0; float: right;"></div> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/12/shibuya-pedestrian-crossing-japan/">The busiest pedestrian crossing in the world</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/12/16-countries-to-visit-in-2016/">16 best countries for travel in 2016</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/12/photos-capture-annual-migration-of-crabs/">Incredible photos capture annual migration of 120 million crabs</a>

International Travel

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Futuristic hoverbus to tackle China’s traffic problem

Wonderful time-lapse video of NYC subway

7 of the world’s best iconic public transport experiences