Division 44
Water, Energy, Transport
Sustainable Urban Transport: Avoid-Shift-Improve (A-S-I)
T
he traditional approach applied to deal with
increased transport demand has been the provision
of additional road space by means of new and larger
road infrastructure. This supply-side oriented approach
has however not delivered the expected benefits. Induced
traffic has been created and roads continue to exhibit unacceptable levels of congestion, GHG emissions and other
externalities. For this reason, the traditional approach is
nowadays regarded as obsolete. Therefore, a new approach
to tackling current transport problems is required.
GIZ’s Approach to Sustainable Mobility
Based on the above statement, GIZ has committed itself
to promoting a different approach. Inspired by the principles of sustainability, this alternative approach focuses
on the demand-side, as opposed to the previous one. The
approach, known as A-S-I (from Avoid/Reduce, Shift/
Maintain, Improve), seeks to achieve significant GHG
emission reductions, reduced energy consumption, less
congestion, with the final objective to create more liveable cities. The objective of the A-S-I
approach is to promote alternative
mobility solutions and to develop sustainable transport systems.
The Avoid – Shift – Improve
Concept
The A-S-I approach entails three main
avenues:
Avoid/Reduce
„„
Shift/Maintain
„„
Improve
„„
Firstly, “avoid” refers to the need to
improve the efficiency of the transport
system. Through integrated land-use
planning and transport demand management the need to travel and the
trip length may be reduced.
Secondly, the “shift” instruments seek to improve trip
efficiency. A modal shift from the most energy consuming
urban transport mode (i.e. cars) towards more environmentally friendly modes is highly desirable. In particular, the
shift towards the following alternative modes:
Non-Motorised Transport (NMT): walking and
„„
cycling. They represent the most environmentally
friendly options.
Public Transport (PT): bus, rail, etc. Although PT also
„„
generates emissions, lower specific energy consumption
per pkm and higher occupancy levels imply that the
associated CO2 emissions per passenger-km are lower
compared to cars.
Thirdly, the “improve” component focuses on vehicle
and fuel efficiency as well as on the optimisation of transport infrastructure. It pursues to improve the energy efficiency of transport modes and related vehicle technology.
Furthermore, the potential of alternative energy use is
acknowledged.
A-S-I APPROACH
AVOID / REDUCE
SHIFT / MAINTAIN
IMPROVE
Reduce or avoid
the need to travel
Shift to or maintain share
of more environmentally
friendly modes
Improve the energy
efficiency of transport
modes and vehicle
technology
System
Efficiency
Trip
Efficiency
Vehicle
Efficiency
Co-Benefits
The benefits of improving the three aforementioned dimensions –transport demand,
mode choice and technology– can be substantial. The ASI approach has the potential
to contribute to emission reductions beyond
current expectations. Vitalization of public
spaces, better urban air quality and many
other important co-benefits can be expected
from the application of the ASI approach.
Lower
energy costs
Less
imported fuel
Climate Change: A new agenda
The A-S-I approach also makes a very
important contribution to climate change. It
allows developing synergies between mitigation and adaptation:
Mitigation: It enables decision-makers in developing
„„
countries to develop transport strategies that support
climate change mitigation by increasing the efficiency of
transport systems.
Adaptation: It also helps define the path towards making
„„
transport systems more resilient and to contribute to
effective disaster risk management.
A successful climate change strategy in transport requires
the adoption of a comprehensive and coherent approach.
The A-S-I approach is a suitable framework for that.
Starting point:
A household
requires a wide
range of goods,
with varying
frequency.
Increased
quality of life
Increased
private
investments
Better
air quality
Editor:
Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Lower
welfare costs
(hospitals, etc.)
Division 44
Environment and Infrastructure
Division 44
Environment
and Infrastructure
Sector project
"Transport Policy
Advice"
Division 44
Infrastructure
Environment and
Urban Transport
Change Gender and
Climate
Raising Public Awareness
Affordable
andSustainable
: Smart
about
Urban Transport
Developing Cities
Module 1e
in Transport: A Sourcebook for Policy-makers in Developing Cities
Sustainable
for Policy-makers
ing Cities
Module 7a
Develop A Sourcebook
Sustainable
akers in Transport:
Policy-m
ook for
2007—
5e
—revised September
Module
rt: A Sourceb
ble Transpo
Sustaina
and
Transport
Sustainable
Transport:
A Sourcebook
for Policy-makers
Module 1a
in Developing
Cities
Division
44
Environm
ent and
Sector
Infrastruc
project
ture
"Transpo
rt Policy
Advice"
Sustainab
le Transpor
A Sourcebo
t:
ok for
Module
Policy-ma
The Role of Transpo
2b
kers in
Developin
rt
g Cities
Mobility
in Urban Develop
Managem
– revised
ment Policy
August
2005 –
2004 –
ent
– revised July
Transport Policy
Advisory Services
Sector project
Advisory
Transport Policy
Service
project Advisory Service
Sector
Policy
Transport
Deutsche
TechnischeGesellscha
ft für
Zusammen
arbeit (GTZ)
GmbH
Free download at: www.sutp.org, www.sutp.cn
1. How far do I have to go to buy the good?
AVOID/REDUCE: By implementing an integrated land
use planning policy travel distances to destinations can
be reduced.
Third decision:
Which type of
vehicle + use?
2 km
Imprint
Less
health risks
Stronger economic
development
10 km
AVOID/REDUCE
P. O. Box 5180
65726 ESCHBORN/GERMANY
T+49-6196-79-0
F+49-6196-79-1115
E [email protected]
I http://www.giz.de
Sustainable
transport
?
Smart infrastructure
planning:
Reduces need for
travelling?
Less
externalities
ure
44
Division
t and Infrastruct
Environmen
An Example: Shopping
A person willing to buy a given commodity and thus with
a need to travel faces the following key decisions:
Second decision:
Which mode of
transport will you
(have to) use?
Better
road safety &
less accidents
The GIZ’s Sourcebook on Sustainable Urban
Transport addresses the key areas of a sustainable
transport policy
framework. The
Sourcebook for
decision-makers consists of
presently 30
modules.
For more details of the A-S-I approach, please check GIZ’
Sourcebook for decision-makers in developing cities, Module 5e Transport and Climate Change at http://www.sutp.org.
First decision:
How far do you
have to go?
Better
energy security
Reduced
congestion &
time savings
More
local jobs
Less noise
Encourage use of
non-motorised
and
public transport!
Reduce car size
and consider
using
alternative fuels!
SHIFT
IMPROVE
2. Which transport mode is
available to me?
SHIFT/MAINTAIN: By encouraging the use of more environmentally friendly modes, the individual may regard PT as a suitable
alternative to car for the same trip.
3. Which type of vehicle shall I use?
IMPROVE: In the medium/longterm, the individual may consider
reducing the car size or using a
vehicle powered by alternative fuels.
Contact
E: [email protected]
I: http://www.giz.de/transport