Energy and environmentally sound urban transport system: the case of Singapore

Abstract

Traffic congestion, inefficient use of transport fuels and vehicular emissions are problems that many cities in the developing countries are now facing. These problems are interrelated because vehicle fuel consumption and emissions are closely related to vehicle travel speed. To provide an efficient and environmentally sound transport system has increasingly become a prerequisite for quality urban life. The first part of this paper looks into the underlying causes of traffic congestion and its impacts on transport energy use and the environment with particular reference to the urban areas of developing countries. The second part describes the strategies that Singapore has adopted over the past two decades to tackle these problems. The rationale and the effectiveness of the implemented measures are also discussed.