Fossil-free passenger transport in sparsely populated areas - from a passenger perspective
Transport plays an important role in a sustainable society. Today, transport is a major emitter of greenhouse gases and it is urgent to get away from the use of fossil fuels. At the same time, the role of transport for social sustainability is important, transport enables access to, for example, services, schools and work. The difficulties are particularly clear in sparsely populated and rural areas where distances are often long and there are few or no alternatives to the car.
The focus of this project is to contribute to a transformation towards fossil-free passenger transport in sparsely populated and rural areas with regard to social sustainability
Based on Väster- and Norrbotten, the study will be based on some case study villages or lanes. Starting from several villages is to avoid generalizing "countryside" as a single lump, instead it allows several villages to show the variations and similarities that exist between different villages.
The project focuses only on passenger transport and thus not freight traffic, but it is a comprehensive approach to all means of transport and fuels relevant for passenger transport. Examples of a few means of transport are walking, flying, train, car or why not kick? Examples of fuels are bioenergy, muscle power or electricity.
This is how it works
The project is based on a circular approach. The first two steps are carried out via workshops, where villagers are invited to exchange experiences and thoughts about their passenger transport:
The first step is to identify travel needs. Travel needs are about the trips people make and why they are made, further discussed is how fossil freedom can affect these travel needs. Identifying travel needs is also about increasing understanding of the diversity of travel that takes place in sparsely populated and rural areas. This is important for understanding the role of transport in social sustainability.
The second step is to identify different solutions. Travel consists of many different types of travel, of which the solutions will also probably consist of many different solutions. Here we start from the various trips previously identified and discuss which trip / trips could be carried out fossil-free - while maintaining social sustainability.
After the first and second steps, we hope to test a solution.
In the selected villages, workshops will be held, where villagers meet to exchange experiences and thoughts about their travel habits (passenger transport). By workshops is meant smaller discussion groups, where everyone with a close relationship to the village can participate. Dialogues between villagers create opportunities to deeply analyze the local conditions, and with dialogue get opportunities to further develop their reasoning. In addition, an increased understanding of the importance of passenger transport for the local population is an important foundation to build on and a prerequisite for a future sustainable transport system - both for the climate and the people.
Workshop 1:
First, local travel habits are identified, where issues that are discussed are:
- What trips do you make today?
- Why are you making these trips?
- How can future requirements for fossil freedom affect your travels?
The questions create a basis for understanding the social significance of transport.
Workshop 2:
In this step, it is discussed which trips could be fossil-free, but also which can not be today. Further what is required for more people to become fossil-free.
Contact
Margareta Westin
- PhD Student
- 0920-493805
- margareta.westin@ltu.se
- Margareta Westin
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