Improved traffic flows would help emissions

I WAS shocked to read of a 30% increase in carbon emissions claimed in the article on ‘Zero Emissions Pact Proposed’ (ODT, 25.9.20).

Although the increase in vehicles registered nationally has increased by about 10%, during the period mentioned, many of these would have been new or electric vehicles with lower carbon emissions than previously. I suspect the high figure may be as a result of changes made to our road network. It is obvious that whenever motor vehicles are stopped then restarted they require a significant amount of energy to accelerate to a steady speed, thereby emitting more carbon. In recent years we have had frequent disruptions to the oneway street system, particularly with road works for cycle lanes, the introduction of the Barnes Dance traffic light system throughout the city, as well as the bus hub with greater congestion in this area. All of these have resulted in significantly more vehicles having to stop and start with a subsequent increase in emissions. Granting priority to pedestrians and cyclists, while improving safety, comes at a cost of increased emissions and this should be taken into account. It will be some time before carbonfree road transport becomes a reality so perhaps the Dunedin City Council, NZTA and Otago Regional Council should look more closely at ways of improving traffic flow as a good way of reducing our carbon footprint.

R. J. Bennett

Pine Hill

Kloogh sentence