TRAFFIC IMPACTS AND ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN URBAN AREAS

The report studies the question how to consider energy economics in urban traffic planning. The aim has been to develop a system which gives a reasonable way to consider energy consumption when evaluating traffic plans. Energy consumption can be considered at three levels: local, national and global. At the local level energy consumption is felt indirectly as mobility, risk, environmental impact and cost. Decisions on traffic engineering can be made on the basis of these items. Energy consumption as a separate criterion is not needed. In the study an evaluation method for traffic plans is developed which uses mobility, safety, environmental effects and use of money as the criteria. The evaluation includes both objective and subjective knowledge and various viewpoints including those of traffic users, and the inhabitants and enterprises in the area. (TRRL)