Shifting to low-carbon transport modes

Low-carbon choices in selecting transport mode can be an effective way to reduce the carbon footprint of mobility (Sitra 2017). In this case, the choices related to the low-carbon transport

modes refer especially to the shift from passenger car use to options of public transport and favoring walking or cycling instead of other transport modes in shorter journeys. The reduction of mobility demand and the efficiency improvements are discussed separately. The most essential thing in selecting a transport mode is the accessibility of passenger traffic and travel destinations (Rinta-Piirto & Weiste 2019, 1). Accessibility is connected essentially to the possibility to reach destinations such as goods, services and facilities in certain time and/or with certain costs. It is made up of both a context which includes the traffic infrastructure and land use and consumers’ attributes such as ownership of a car, capabilities and income level. (Rinta-Piirto & Weiste 2019, 1)

Walking and cycling in short journeys

Journeys under two kilometers by car are proposed to be substituted entirely by walking (Sitra 2017). The share of journeys under two kilometers is 18% of the number of journeys made by car (Finnish Transport Agency. 2018, 61). Even though the share of the number of journeys is remarkable, the distance of one journey is so short that the demand of journeys under two kilometers is very small in the whole mobility demand. Anyway, if favoring walking and cycling increased to involve all journeys under seven kilometers, it would be possible to achieve more significant emission reduction. In city centres and on the trips under seven kilometers, cycling is a faster, and also healthier, way to travel than driving (Sitra, 2017). The share of journeys under seven kilometers is around 51% of the number of journeys made by car and around 5% of the whole mobility demand (Finnish Transport Agency. 2018, 61).

In addition to the bicycle, there could be potential to use electric cycles in even longer journeys than up to seven kilometers since driving by an electric cycle does not require as much physical effort as driving by bicycle (Sitra 2017). When shifting to use electric bikes there is a need to buy one and it may be a big investment but compared to a car it is a very cost-effective option (Sitra 2017). However, there could be a lot of potential especially in shifting from driving a car to using electric cycles.

Possibilities to take walking and cycling into action in short journeys can be restricted by people’s capabilities and travel time compared to other options but also by infrastructure and availability of walkways and cycling lanes (Finnish Transport Agency 2018, 68, 89-91;

Ministry of Transport and Communications, 2018). Walking and cycling can be promoted by land use planning, its diversion and development and combining the planning of housing and traffic. The community planning and zoning where distances are reasonable, and accessibility of public infrastructure is noticed are preconditions for increased share of walking and cycling. Therefore, dense living also promotes walking and cycling. (Ministry of Transport and Communications, 2018, 15, 18)

Car-free traveling using public transport

The accessibility of public transport has been researched previously regarding the share of people living in the zone of regional public transportation, since the extent of public transport zone is described by the possibility to run everyday tasks and missions by public transport.

Especially a train rarely takes travelers to the final destination and even public transport chains may not cover the whole country (Sitra, 2017). On the grounds of resident data (2017) 71% of Finns live in the zone of public transport and 29% of them live outside the zone (Rinta-Piirto & Weiste 2019, 13, 31). The share of people living in the zone of public transport is evaluated to correlate quite well to the share of potential public transport users.

In addition to the availability of public transport routes, the capacity of it is crucial. When consumers’ want to decrease their carbon footprint by shifting from a passenger car to public transport the demand for public transport increases. The utilization rate of public transport in 2017 was only 25% calculated using the share of passenger kilometers and offered seat kilometers (Finnish Transport and Communication Agency Traficom 2019, 7), so the amount of passenger kilometers of public transport could be increased 75% with the current public transport capacity. The increase in available public transport capacity requires actions from the other stakeholders than individuals.

Another aspect to consider in shifting to public transport is its cost compared to car use. The cost of a season ticket for public transport is studied to be able to cover the flat costs of owning a passenger car and after this there would still be money left for incidental use of shared or rental cars. In addition, savings would be caused by reduction of fuel costs. The costs of longer trips made by public transport are depending on prevailing ticket prices.

(Seppälä et al. 2014, 79) The current saver tickets can however make public transport options even less expensive compared to a car (Sitra 2017). In addition to the costs, many social aspects are influencing the use of public transport such as less comfortable or easy use,

slower traveling times, possibility to use own car and physical restrictions. Public transport is, for example, studied to be a competitive option for a private car when its total door to door traveling time maximum is one and a half of the traveling time of the private car.

(Finnish Transport Agency. 2018, 68, 80, 89.)

From the point of view of the society, the use of public transport could be enhanced by improved public transport (IGES et al. 2019b, 25). A better accessibility of the public transport, availability of departures, improved capacity and competitive prices and traveling times could possibly lead to more used public transport (Liimatainen & Viri 2017, 9-10). All of these could be improved by different players in society not by individuals although functioning public transport system also requires users. Car-free traveling can also be promoted by financial measures like taxes and improving guidance and steering (Salo 2016, 34-36).