Better transport, better health

File photo.

Tauranga would have 50-52 fewer premature deaths each year and 27-32 per cent lower light vehicle carbon emissions if it had the same level of cycling, walking and public transport use as Wellington according to a new study.

The study, led by the University of Otago in Wellington and published in the New Zealand Medical Journal today, has found that local councils and urban planners could improve our health and save lives by improving long-term sustainable transport – cycling, walking and public transport.

Tauranga is currently the most car-dependent city in New Zealand – 97 per cent of all journeys around the city are made by private motor vehicles.

Tauranga City Council's Transport Strategy for 2012-2042 encourages the uptake of walking, cycling and public transport and the council is currently implementing projects that support the goals in the strategy. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is also increasing investment to improve public transport.

"The decisions that local councils in New Zealand have made over the last few decades have had a big effect on the population's health," says lead author of the study, Dr Caroline Shaw.

As a result of urban-planning decisions made over time, Wellington city has the highest levels of sustainable travel at 35 per cent; Christchurch has the highest level of cycling as a mode of travel, whereas Auckland has the highest level of multiple car ownership at 55 per cent.

In the new study, the public health researchers set out to quantify what would happen if Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, Christchurch and Dunedin had the same levels of cycling, walking and public transport use as Wellington.

The researchers used an internationally recognised model developed in the UK and adapted to New Zealand. They found there would be considerable health and carbon gains if the other five cities had made decisions that gave them the same levels of sustainable transport as Wellington city.

The cities' infrastructures are a result of decisions made by their local councils over recent decades. Cities differ in the amounts of walking, cycling and public transport use, reflecting different urban planning priorities over time.

"The health gains are mainly through increased physical activity, and to a lesser extent, as a result of reduced air pollution and reduced injury deaths," says Caroline.

The study found if Tauranga and Hamilton had the same level of cycling, walking and public transport use as Wellington, there would have 50-52 fewer premature deaths each year and 27-32 per cent lower light vehicle carbon emissions respectively.

"The costs of preferentially funding infrastructure for cars are high," says Caroline. "This research shows we can address carbon emissions while also significantly improving health in cities."

Caroline notes that although Wellington provides a healthier urban form than other cities, New Zealand overall (including Wellington) still has a highly car-dominated transport system.

"Although Wellington has the highest levels of sustainable transport, there are still many opportunities to do better.”

Not only do sustainable transport systems allow better health through increased physical activity, they also help reduce the road toll, which is now increasing again in New Zealand.

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