Transport at Cross-roads - Rob Greenaway and Associates

Compared with other countries, New
more than one car for every two people.
costs of the network. Lincoln University, as a
Zealand has a widely dispersed population
Although there is about 93,000 kilometres
result of its location and the skills of its staff,
and a nigged landscape. As a result, our
of public road, in many locations all those
is ideally placed to study the impacts and
investment in roading, compared with other
cars just don't seem to Jit.
management of our reading infrastructure.
forms of transport, is high by international
Recent debate over proposals regarding the
Three research programmes are currently
standards. We have also one of the highest
future management of New Zealand's roads
undcrwav.
levels of vehicle ownership in the world, with
is focusing our attention on the benefits and
22
The Ecological Effects of
New Roads
A literature review on the ecological
of effects. Other issues covered include
effects of new roads prepared for the
heavy metal deposition on roadsides, gas
Department of Conservation by Lincoln
emissions of vehicles, local changes
in
o
University researchers, is expected to
hydrology, habitat loss, the dispersion of
create widespread interest.
invasive plants, the impacts of dust, sand,
"Manv agencies are reviewing their
methods of restoration of habitats and the
noise and light on biota, and of course, road
kill.
mitigation of the eflects of development
Although published reports particular
in sensitive areas, so there are a number of
to New Zealand arc not common, a number
key parties who have taken an interest in
of studies specific to this country were
the document," Or Ian Spellerberg of the
identified. Amongst these were reports on
Department of Resource Management
erosion, vehicle emissions, changes in
.says.
microclimate, the introduction of exotic
Not surprisingly, road construction
vegetation,
and the effects of roads on
o
agencies
are interested. According
to
o
o
animals. Studies on the latter indicate that
Spellerberg, the requirement to comply
new roads facilitate the introduction of
with such legislation as the Resource
small mammals into forests.
Management Act is only part of the
The data collection process used for the
motivation. He believes there is a definite
review illustrates how the Internet is
and growing concern amongst developers
becoming a standard medium for research.
about their effects on the environment that
Spellerberg and Morrison posted a Web
goes beyond merely complying with
page on the Internet and received sufficient
minimum requirements.
interest to make it worthwhile. "The Web
"We are far more aware of the need to
site only supplemented our traditional
tidy up the effects of our actions, and look
research methods, but certainly provided
beyond the immediate benefits to humans
access to the more obscure publications that
of our developments," says Spellerberg.
we would not normally encounter," says
"Long
term impacts
are becoming
more
O
I
O
Spell crberg.
clearly understood."
Although
similar reviews of the effects
o
The data is to be published by the
Department
of
Conservation
and
of new roads have been published in
Spellerbcrg intends to author a summary
previous years, the review by Dr
in a peer review journal.
Spellerberg and Toni Morrison of the
Department of Resource Management
covers new ground, particularly in
providing improved data about the impacts
of habitat fragmentation and the mitigation
Stock effluent
\—*—*
the road surface itself and has negative
on
environmental effects through
run-off.
o
New Zealand's roads
The problems occur when cattle arc
moved directly from grazing to transport
Although technically the act of
with no holding period. They have no
depositing effluent on roads is illegal, and
chance to 'empty out' on the farm. Many
One of New Zealand's more thorny
stock transporters are therefore liable,
transport agencies have responded by
transport issues is being tackled by
there arc few prosecutions. According to
fitting holding tanks to their vehicles, but
Luxembourg PhD student Jean-Paul Thull.
Thull's supervisor, Andrew Dakcrs of the
the tanks fill rapidly, and there are no legal
Thull estimates that 1 80 tonnes of effluent
Department of N a t u r a l Resources
dumping facilities in the South Island
from transported sheep may he deposited
Engineering, this is because the issue is
between the farms and the freezing works.
on South Island roads each day. This is in
more complicated than it seems.
Price competition between free'/ing
addition to 144 tonnes of effluent from
"There are a number of stake holders
works adds to the problem. Stock are often
cattle. Although spread thinly, this form of
contributing to the problem, and the stock
transported greater distances when farmers
pollution has caused the death of at least
trucks are m e r e l y t h e meat in the
do not sell to the nearest meat works.
one motorcyclist, near Tokoroa in 1992,
sandwich," he says. "Stock agents take the
Thull is working through this maze of
and helps to spread such pathogens as
coordinating role. They will be called by
communication and coordination to seek a
tuberculosis, tetanus, brucellosis and
the freezingo works when the abattoir is
fair resolution to the problem. His research
salrnonellosis. It is also reputed to damage
ready for more animals, often with very
is currently being supported by the
the country's image as a 'clean, green'
little warning.The agent advises the farmer
Canterbury Regional Council and Mobil
who then contracts a transport company.
Oil New Zealand. Transit NZ is also
If
coordinating a national taskforce to help
tourist destination.
Effluent
certainly
affects
the
temperament of other road users, erodes
24
the
c o m p a n y doesn't
respond
immediately, they're likely to lose the job."
address the issue.
Dakers believes that bv
focusingo on
J
Ridesharing refers to an alternative to
education - to improve coordination
the traditional sign of a successful
between the responsible agencies - and by
democracy: one person, one car. The
installing dump sites in the right locations,
alternatives include taking
a bus,' cycling,
o
J
o'
the problem can be alleviated. "If the
and, of course, car pooling.
mechanisms exist for drivers to avoid the
Lincoln University has a reputation for
overflow of effluent onto roads, then the
the number of informal car pools which
law regarding pollution of roads can be
operate from Christchurch. Currently, the
enforced," says Dakers. "But first we have
methods used to organise car pools are,
to identify and implement the solutions in
according to Dr Mollenkopf, "informal and
such a way that they are fair and
intensive. Names are posted on various
reasonable."
notice boards around campus and on the
Thull will also be looking
at changes
to
o
o
University's electronic noticeboard.There
legislation, the implementation of
voluntary standards, such as ISO 14000,
and the treatment of effluent. His work
may have a double benefit in reducing the
is no one central repository. Our feasibility
illegal dumping of toilet wastes from
It is now largely a matter of developing and
camper vans.
testinge> the right
software,' ogetting
the
o
o
J
O
study identified more efficient means of
coordinating rides, and of educating staff
and students of the benefits of ridesharing.
o
marketing
down right,
with the right
o
o
o
Ridesharing to
Lincoln
organisation."
o
Harrison's and Mollenkopf's research
identified a number of rideshare Websites
in the USA which show promise. In
Lincoln University's relatively isolated
California and Washington State interactive
location on the Canterbury Plains has
Websites
proven to be an ideal catalvst for a project
information,
that will seek to reduce the number of
coordination services, telecommuting
o
vehicles on New Zealand's roads. Or, at the
advice and even an interactive itinerary
provide
van
bus
and
timetable
carpooling
least, increase the number of people in each
planner to help get you from one place to
vehicle.
another via a variety of public transport
see a system allowing people on one-off
opportunities.
trips, such as to the airport, being able to
Dr Glen Harrison of the Department
of Resource Management was recently
Mollenkopf envisages such a system
coordinate."
approached by the Energy Efficiency and
operating here. "The idea is to develop and
Mollcnkopf believes the team will be
Conservation Authority (EECA) to
pilot a site that can be adapted by other
able to develop software that can coordinate
develop and test a method of encouraging
organisations, particularly local authorities,"
people from at least the same suburb.
Kiwis to 'rideshare'.
she says. "We would like to be able to
Getting
the focus down to individual streets
o
Dr Harrison has teamed up with
coordinate both regular and infrequent
will probably be the aim of a more refined
marketing and economics lecturer Dr
commuters. For example, a person may be
package.
Diane Mollenkopf. At this stage the
able to pool with one group on Mondays,
"A key objective," she says, "will be
feasibility study for the project is complete
Wednesdays and Fridays, and with another
education. There are clearly high costs
and it is hoped that the chosen method - a
group for the rest of the week. Ideally the
associated with driving a vehicle to Lincoln
Website - can be developed for the
groups should live in the same area to
from Christchurch every day, and not only
University.
increase efficiency. We would also like to
for the car owner."
25