Delivering Tram-Based Boulevards: Learning from Opportunities and Challenges in Three European City Case Studies

Increasing calls for zero-carbon cities invite transformative solutions for people and places within our cities around the world. Key to the transformation is cities and regions shifting in mobility away from fossil-fuel based car-oriented solutions. The paper investigates a range of case studies where “tram-based boulevards” have been planned or implemented to provide such opportunities. The case studies share a common broader policy objective: to transform the car-oriented or car-saturated areas to an intensified urban template based on a critical presence of dedicated mid-tier transit infrastructure and active transport. “Trams”, or mid-tier, mid-capacity transit when combined with Transit oriented development (TOD) along whole corridors can provide transformative pathways towards zero-carbon outcomes as well as multiple, strong urban benefits. However, many successful or instructive examples of this practice from non-English speaking countries, particularly in Europe, are underdocumented in the international literature. The paper addresses this gap by investigating opportunities and challenges evident in a range of European case studies. These are explored for insight towards policy learning particularly in New World cities seeking to transform into a zero-carbon and more transit-oriented template: How can decision-makers avoid repeating the identified pitfalls, and instead focus on emulating the successful approaches and outcomes? We conclude the need for recognition of the inherent synergies between transport and land use settings in any endeavour, and their translation into policy priorities in both fields of planning. We also conclude the importance of decision makers proactively identifying and critically appraising specific opportunities for change, concerning funding, technology, public opinion, stakeholder alliances or market dynamics, and capitalising on them at suitable moments in time.

Creative Industries Agglomeration,Regional Innovation and Productivity Growth in China

This paper falls into the broad area of economic geography and economics of creativity,and it presents an alternative approach to explain why total factor productivity(TFP)growth is different across China′s regions.It establishes an empirical model to estimate the spatial agglomeration effects of creative industries on regional TFP growth,using China′s provincial panel data during the period of 2003 to 2010.We found that the creative industries agglomeration(CIA)has significant and positive impact on regional TFP growth.The result also implies that the CIA can facilitate regional TFP growth through promoting regional innovation instead of improving regional efficiency.Therefore,we argue that policy makers should take some measures to retain and establish more creative zones.

The Trackless Tram: Is It the Transit and City Shaping Catalyst We Have Been Waiting for?

Recent innovations in transport technology are now providing mobility that is cheaper, autonomous, electric, and with improved ride quality. While much of the world’s attention has been on how this can be applied to cars, there have been rapid adoption of these and other technologies in High Speed Rail and Metro Rail systems that run between and across cities. This paper shows how such innovations have now been applied to create the next generation of urban transit system called a Trackless Tram. Trackless Trams are effectively the same as traditional light rail except they run on rubber tyres avoiding disruption from construction for Light Rail, but they retain the electric propulsion (with batteries) and have high ride quality due to rail-type bogies, stabilization technologies and precision tracking from the autonomous optical guidance systems—with infrastructure costs reduced to as low as one tenth of a Light Rail system. As with Light Rail, a Trackless Tram System provides a rapid transit option that can harness the fixed route assurance necessary to unlock new land value appreciation that can be leveraged to contribute to construction and running costs whilst creating urban regeneration. The paper considers the niche for Trackless Trams in cities along with its potential for city shaping through the creation of urban re-development along corridors. The paper suggests that the adoption of Trackless Tram Systems is likely to grow rapidly as a genuine alternative to car and bus systems, supplementing and extending the niche occupied by Light Rail Transit (LRT). This appears to be feasible in any medium-sized or larger city, especially in emerging and developing economies, and case studies are outlined for Perth and Thimpu to illustrate its potential.

Leapfrog Technology and How It Applies to Trackless Tram

Rapid innovation and development of modern technology has brought about the opportunity for developing economies to technological leapfrog. In particular, rather than going through all the learning curve and costly process experienced by developed countries, emerging economies instead can take advantage of the opportunities presented by technological shifts. However, inadequate infrastructure is the cause of most challenges that these developing economies presently face. Energy, road, transport and telecommunication networks are the most critical infrastructure needed to drive a sustainable development and economic growth. As seen in many emerging economies, small private cars are still dominating the public transport sector, even though it is evident that they are congesting the poorly managed and crumbling road infrastructure. Most emerging economies’ cities are currently experiencing rapid urbanisation that is leading to massive population explosion. These rapidly growing cities should adopt latest technologies, such as Trackless Trams Systems (TTS). There is no doubt that TTS can probably help in dealing with most of the transport problems experienced in rapidly growing urban areas within emerging economies. This paper seeks to explore the opportunities presented by TTS to bring about the needed technological leapfrogging for the developing countries that are resource constrained to build modern and expensive mass public transport infrastructure. An ideal example of a recent successful technological leapfrog in emerging economies is the low-cost mobile phones and increasingly expanding wireless access in urban areas. As such, countries have been able to eliminate the challenge of building fixed-line telecommunications infrastructure, which is capital-intensive. In this study we are undertaking a literature appraisal on technological leapfrogging, and demonstrate how TTS measure up as a potential technology to aid the leapfrogging for the urban transport systems more so in developing countries. The study discusses the features, quality, and proficiencies of the new technology. To consider technology for leapfrogging, it ought to be economical enough, less technical, lends itself to partnership, lends itself to community engagement, allows co-development, and fulfils sustainable development goals (SDGs). The paper is organized into four sections, the introduction, literature appraisal, experiential evidence and debate on Trackless Trams, and conclusion.

Space Technology for Decarbonising City Precincts

Space technology is a powerful tool for climate research. Satellite data improve knowledge of the human impact on the Planet’s physical geography. Similarly, remote sensing technology enhances understanding of the human impact on rising global carbon emissions. However, so far satellites have been principally limited to measuring the carbon emissions of cities from space. Standing alone, satellite technology is incapable of advancing the goal of decarbonisation. This will be achieved only if cities create local methodologies that significantly enhance the carbon reduction process. There exists enormous potential to bridge remote sensing for earth observation and global environmental change with local action towards decarbonised urban renewal and redevelopment. Satellite remote sensing has the ability to demonstrate if local remedial strategies are succeeding, and assist with planning, developing, and monitoring low and zero carbon infrastructure systems. Satellite-derived data can facilitate informed discussion and decision-making between community stakeholders to deliver low carbon outcomes at the precinct scale. Satellite-based systems can be integrated within the urban fabric to assist climate change mitigation. This paper is based on current work implemented jointly with municipalities to ascertain where within city precincts carbon emissions originate and how they can ultimately be reduced. It presents space technology as an instrumental tool for understanding the carbon impact of cities—in terms of the carbon intensive patterns and processes that shape human society, as well as having great potential for providing end-user products to communities to enhance the process of decarbonising city precincts.

The Potential for Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence to Enhance the Transport Sector

This paper outlines research that explores a range of digitally-driven opportunities and challenges in seeking to get cities moving and functioning better;with a focus on the application of Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain technologies.The paper identifies specific potential applications and outlines where such technology can provide tangible benefits for the transport sector and the associated policy and management structures.Specific benefits explored include cost savings(such as digital payment mechanisms,virtual toll collection and congestion charging,capital deferment through greater network utilisation);time savings(from improved transport network operation and management processes);improved operations(such as real-time pay-as-you-drive systems with network differential pricing ability);improved safety(from less collisions and reduced impacts);improved user experience(such as improved platforms and automated payments for parking and bookings);and improved freight and logistics(such as secure storage of time-stamped travel-related data).The paper presents a set of industry partner-preferred use cases such as congestion management,road user pricing,asset management,mobility-as-a-service,and freight logistics.The paper outlines specific opportunities for Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain technology to provide value to transport agencies and service providers either individually or in combination.The paper highlights risks and rewards for the transport sector,including a further review of early findings from the application of such technologies in transport sectors around the world.This research has been developed with funding and support provided by Australia’s Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre(SBEnrc)and its partners,and has been presented at the CIB World Building Congress 2019.

A Public-Private Partnership Procurement Approach to Sustainable Transport—Zimbabwe Case

Zimbabwe has serious financial constraints so the only viable option to procure infrastructure is through engaging the private sector in public-private partnerships to enhance the chances of successfully undertaking public projects like sustainable transport. This study creates the basis for a potential public-private partnership with a trackless tram/solar energy project in Bulawayo which has multiple advantages for sustainable development goals. It identifies six other projects in Zimbabwe that can provide some guidance for developing an appropriate PPP that could assist procure such infrastructure. The projects are drawn from the three critical sectors of the economy: power generation, highways/transport, and water/sanitation. Empirical investigations of these projects reveal the effectiveness of the PPP concept to deliver infrastructure for emerging economies. This suggests an ideal PPP arrangement that increases the likelihood of getting projects like the proposed sustainable transport project in Bulawayo implemented quickly and efficiently, especially if formulated to incorporate the project’s local socio-economic dynamics.

Compare and Contrast of Options to Collect Freight Vehicle Data in Order to Inform Traffic Management Systems

This paper outlines research findings from an investigation into a range of options for generating vehicle data relevant to traffic management systems.Linking data from freight vehicles with traffic management systems stands to provide a number of benefits.These include reducing congestion,improving safety,reducing freight vehicle trip times,informing alternative routing for freight vehicles,and informing transport planning and investment decisions.This paper will explore a number of different methods to detect,classify,and track vehicles,each having strengths and weaknesses,and each with different levels of accuracy and associated costs.In terms of freight management applications,the key feature is the capability to track in real time the position of the vehicle.This can be done using a range of technologies that either are located on the vehicle such as GPS(global positioning system)trackers and RFID(Radio Frequency Identification)Tags or are part of the network infrastructure such as CCTV(Closed Circuit Television)cameras,satellites,mobile phone towers,Wi-Fi receivers and RFID readers.Technology in this space is advancing quickly having started with a focus on infrastructure based sensors and communications devices and more recently shifting to GPS and mobile devices.The paper concludes with an overview of considerations for how data from freight vehicles may interact with traffic management systems for mutual benefit.This new area of research and practice seeks to balance the needs of traffic management systems in order to better manage traffic and prevent bottlenecks and congestion while delivering tangible benefits to freight companies stands to be of great interest in the coming decade.This research has been developed with funding and support provided by Australia’s SBEnrc(Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre)and its partners.

Exploring the Social Impact of the Short-Stay Market(SSM)in Regional Areas:An Empirical Study

The discourse on microentrepreneurs and their involvement in the short stay market (SSM) was non-existent until 2008. While several concepts and constructs have been developed and empirically tested since 2009, many of them relate to economics, leaving the social, cultural, and environmental factors underdeveloped. Thus, this study aimed to fll the gap and identify and assess the social impact of the short-stay market (SSM) in a regional area. The study included 16 face-to-face interview sessions conducted with 18 participants, and the Leximancer software was employed to analyse the data. The study revealed that the social impact on SSM is not generic, rather pluralistic, multidimensional, and dynamic. The study also found that the limitation clause instituted by the council is a direct disconnect between the council and property owners/managers. Furthermore, despite ample opportunities provided by the short-stay market (SSM) in regional areas, encumbrances cannot be overlooked. Therefore, there is a need for a comprehensive approach to understand the social impact on policy frameworks in regional areas.

Urban heat mitigation by green and blue infrastructure:Drivers,effectiveness,and future needs

The combination of urbanization and global warming leads to urban overheating and compounds the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events due to climate change.Yet,the risk of urban overheating can be mitigated by urban green-blue-grey infrastructure(GBGI),such as parks,wetlands,and engineered greening,which have the potential to effectively reduce summer air temperatures.Despite many reviews,the evidence bases on quantified GBGI cooling benefits remains partial and the practical recommendations for implementation are unclear.This systematic literature review synthesizes the evidence base for heat mitigation and related co-benefits,identifies knowledge gaps,and proposes recommendations for their implementation to maximize their benefits.After screening 27,486 papers,202 were reviewed,based on 51 GBGI types categorized under 10 main divisions.Certain GBGI(green walls,parks,street trees)have been well researched for their urban cooling capabilities.However,several other GBGI have received negligible(zoological garden,golf course,estuary)or minimal(private garden,allotment)attention.The most efficient air cooling was observed in botanical gardens(5.0±3.5℃),wetlands(4.9±3.2℃),green walls(4.1±4.2℃),street trees(3.8±3.1℃),and vegetated balconies(3.8±2.7℃).Under changing climate conditions(2070–2100)with consideration of RCP8.5,there is a shift in climate subtypes,either within the same climate zone(e.g.,Dfa to Dfb and Cfb to Cfa)or across other climate zones(e.g.,Dfb[continental warm-summer humid]to BSk[dry,cold semi-arid]and Cwa[temperate]to Am[tropical]).These shifts may result in lower efficiency for the current GBGI in the future.Given the importance of multiple services,it is crucial to balance their functionality,cooling performance,and other related co-benefits when planning for the future GBGI.This global GBGI heat mitigation inventory can assist policymakers and urban planners in prioritizing effective interventions to reduce the risk of urban overheating,filling research gaps,and promoting community resilience.