Why be TravelSmart?

Perth is one of the most car dependent cities in the world, with 81% of all trips undertaken by car (55% as driver and 26% as passenger). Current trends in car use and urban growth would result in car traffic in Perth increasing from 25 million kilometres per weekday in 2003 to 44 million by 2031.

The high and growing level of car use in Perth is a concern because: Owning and running cars represents a major cost for households, accounting for 15% of expenditure by WA households. These costs can be a source of financial stress and can only increase if fuel prices rise. Maintaining and extending the urban road network is a significant public cost. Traffic congestion is becoming a significant issue in Perth. Adding road capacity will not solve all future congestion problems in Perth. As more trips are made by car, fewer are made (in part or entirely) by walking or cycling – 45% of WA adults do not engage in sufficient physical activity for good health. Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and other preventable conditions that impact on the public health budget. Greenhouse gases from transport are a significant and growing component of WA's total emissions. Emissions from car travel contribute more than half of all transport emissions. Motor vehicle emissions are the single largest contributor to the pollution load in the Perth airshed contributing to health risks and environmental damage.

Through the work of international opinion leaders like Al Gore and landmark research like the Stern Review on the economics of climate change, increasing attention is being given not only to the urgency of action to respond to climate change, but also to the important role of the individual and communities in changing their behaviour towards more environmentally and socially responsible consumption.

There are many ways that car dependency can be reduced. We can provide better public transport services, allocate special lanes for buses, build more cycleways and paths, discourage parking in Perth City and encourage people to make better travel choices.

But governments can only do so much. In the end it is up to individual Western Australians to take personal responsibility for how they travel.

A lot of people making just small changes can make an enormous difference.

 Benefits of TravelSmart

 There are multiple benefits of the TravelSmart program. They include:

For the community and individuals: Reduced greenhouse gases Less traffic, noise and pollution in local streets Improved health from physical activity (cycling and walking - including to and from the bus stop or train station) Improved personal security (with more people on the streets walking and cycling) Savings in car running costs Fewer road incidents For the Government: Increased public transport patronage and improved public transport cost recovery Traffic levels reduced, resulting in less pressure to upgrade roads Reduced pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from less car use

For all of us:

• A package of benefits that help Perth to retain a healthy city and contribute to a sustainable future

Further information and quantification of the benefits being achieved by the TravelSmart program are available from the Household, Local Government, Schools and Workplace pages on this website.

You can be TravelSmart

You can enjoy the savings and health benefits of being TravelSmart and start making a difference to Perth's traffic congestion and air quality by making some small changes to your personal travel choices.

What you can do provides some ideas on how to do this and includes stories about how TravelSmart has worked for two Perth families.