Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Transport for Suburbia

Transport for Suburbia

Beyond the automobile age

Talk by Dr Paul Mees
Wellington - 2 October 2009

I was in Wellington to attend Dr Mees' talk. He has been retained by NZTransport Agency (now unofficially called the NZ Roading Agency by some Wellington wits)  to study and report on the Auckland transport issues.

With scathing humour he cites the example of the richest city in the world - Zurich where residents spend less per capita on transport than those in comparable cities. This success of the public transport system he attributes to a strategy underpinned by governance, funding and service planning policy. 42% of Zurich workers arrive at work on public transport while in Auckland 6% do. And yet Auckland's roading investments in the last 20 years and expenditure proposed by the Minister will make Auckland no 1 in the world for per capita road outlay! Auckland behaves as if it is the richest city in the world with its chronic overspend on roads.

Zurich's example shows that you can be rich and save money, time and effort by riding public transport. Auckland is a global statistic of road spend and poor transport efficiency at higher per capita costs worn by taxpayers.

In most of Europe the model has been adapted to suburban, urban and  rural transport networks to provide a genuine alternative to single occupancy vehicles. Taking us on a virtual tour of the world he cited other examples from Europe, Canada and Brazil, including successful network planning and utilisation for small towns and low density rural areas.

I was particularly delighted that some of the proposals made by the Tram Trust regarding the current public transport network in Manawatu reflect aspects of Dr Mees network design model for small towns. There is much to learn from Dr Mees forthcoming publication on the subject.



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Wednesday, September 2, 2009

John Galbraith

              Gas bus pioneer turns 80 
September 1, 2009


John Galbraith turns 80 today. John was Bus Manager of the Palmerston North borough bus service from 1970 to 1989.

Palmerston North was the first city in the  world  to have a fleet of buses all powered by natural gas. Though 22  buses is not exactly a big fleet, being the first in the world is a noteworthy achievement. In the words of then Bus Manager John Galbraith "We put our money where our mouth was. We said that it would work - and it did." And John did make it work, saving the Council several hundreds of thousand dollars in fuel bills.
 
Council took the decision to convert the bus fleet to CNG in 1979 during the second oil price shock of that decade. Natural gas sourced from the town supply was compressed before filling specially fabricated tanks that were fitted into the vehicles. A gas compressor and filling infrastructure was installed in the Albert street depot; tanks were filled overnight. The Hino bus company of Japan was quite impressed with the technical strategy for conversion and hosted John at their headquarters to learn more about the Palmerston North experience in converting the bus fleet.

Seen in the picture are John Galbraith (L) Mr Bill English, Minister Science and Technology, and  Sir Brian Elwood (C), Mayor of Palmerston North (1971-1985) who enthusiastically supported the gas bus conversion. Mr. Elwood had his Jaguar converted to CNG, and as Lady Dawn remarked wryly "we managed to cram the children and luggage into the Jag during the holidays. It just meant we had to take less luggage because the gas bottle took up some room in the boot".

John's vision resulted in a low tailpipe emission fleet decades before concepts like zero tailpipe emissions became fashionable.

As memories of the oil price crisis of 1973 faded and other changes overtook the Council. The Local Government reform of 1989 was implemented by the then City Chief Executive Officer Michael Wills (1989-2001). The Council bus service now known as "Palmerston North Passenger Services Limited" unsuccessfully tendered with the Manawatu-Wanganui District Council for the public service contract. The gas bus fleet was sold to Hamilton. Failure to secure the bus service contract marked the end of an era which began on 7 September 1921 when the Borough Council's first bus service was established.

Allergy to sawdust cut short his apprenticeship in a joinery. After a stint at the Austin factory in Wellington, the NZ Railways Road Services employed him  as a tour coach driver for several years. He moved to Palmerston North with his wife Pat and their two daughters to take the role of Bus Manager. John did put in long hours and was often on call during week-ends while he worked at the Council. He was keenly aware of his public service responsibility - he was not a clock-watcher by any means.  John keeps in touch. He often catches up on news through the Manawatu Standard website. He was a member of the Palmerston North Rotary Club. For his contribution to the transport industry he was made a life member of the Bus and Coach Association. 

A few years ago John and his wife Pat moved to Australia where their two daughters live. They continue to travel in their motor home for much of the year. Helping John celebrate his eightieth are friends and family who have flown across the Tasman for the party his children have put on.  Good on you John!  
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Pictures and research information courtesy Ian Matheson City Archives, Palmerston North.
"MG" Gopalan, Manawatu Tram Trust
mg@tramtrust.org.nz

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Manawatu Green Transport Pilot

Green Transport Pilot
A call to Government to jump-start sustainability in the transport sector
Draft
Introduction

Manawatu is a junction of significance for New Zealand's national transportation network. State Highways 56 and 5 meet State Highway 3 and State Highway 1 passes through the region. The North Island Main Trunk railway is met by the Gisborne - Palmerston North Line connecting Woodville and Hawkes Bay with the Wairarapa line.

Consequently the region has emerged as a service centre in the lower half of the North Island. Leading edge national distribution and logistics businesses supporting the rural sector and nationwide wholesale and retail operations have significant investments in Manawatu. Many national and a few international businesses are domiciled in Manawatu. Tertiary education, health, research, central government and the defence sectors contribute to the regional and national economy and place a further demand on the transport network. With agriculture underpinning the region's economy a commitment to working with nature is reflected in the region's green character, branding and aspirations. Manawatu strives to sustainably balance the needs of its people with economic development and sustainability.

Our Tararua and Ruahine ranges funnel wind at average speeds of 10 metres per second with recorded capability of producing windmill electricity equivalent to 4000 hours at maximum output per annum. Our wind farms currently produce enough energy to power all homes in Manawatu. Small hydro electric projects and electricity generated from landfill methane augment the region's generation of renewable energy, and there is potential to harvest more energy from renewable sources.

Small hydro electric projects and energy harvesting from landfills and production of bio methane augment our generation of sustainable energy. Innovative entrepreneurs have established methods of utilising used edible oil as energy for transportation, while others have patented methods of recycling dead computer and cell phone batteries for use in transport and other applications. A local firm builds batteries utilising cells supplied by a US firm has demonstrated local assembly of high performance lithium ion titanate batteries.


History

Palmerston North was first of a number of New Zealand local bodies to adopt battery electric trucks for rubbish removal. This was in 1925! The Rongotea Co-op Dairy Company Ltd., had been operating a fleet of 18 battery electric vehicles beginning in 1918. Experience and knowledge gleaned from them influenced the Borough Council to place an initial order for two electric rubbish vans with A R Harris & Co of Christchurch. Factored into the operating cost calculations was the fact that the Council generated its own electricity. Heat produced from the Destructor (a brand of incinerator) generated electricity which was used to charge the rubbish trucks. Thrifty Councillors saw the wisdom of a closed energy loop. Councillors again were to exercise incisive judgement almost half a century later.

Early battery operated vehicles, had limited range but so did petrol vehicles. Growth of petrol station networks which helped extend range slowly edged out battery operated electric vehicles.

Palmerston North was the first city in the world to have a fleet of buses all powered by natural gas. 22 buses is not exactly a big fleet. However being the first all natural gas fleet in the world would be considered by many to represent an excellent achievement for a region that is home to less than 200,000 people. In the words of then Bus Manager John Galbraith "We put our money where our mouth was. We said that it would work - and it did."
It all began on October 17, 1973 says Roy Bodell, Division Engineer of the Palmerston North Council at the time. Oil prices began to soar and operational budgets were beginning to take a hit from price increases. The Council decided to embark on a programme to convert its vehicles to domestically produced natural gas. A Pilot was commenced. After successful trials over 300 vehicles comprising the Council's fleet were converted in its very own workshops. Mayor Brian Elwood's Jaguar was converted as well. As Lady Dawn remarked recently "the only effect on our family was to reduce the amount of luggage we could carry when we went away for the holidays, which was probably just as well." We did save money on fuel and maintenance adds Sir Brian.

Natural gas sourced from the town supply was compressed before filling into specially fabricated tanks that were fitted into the vehicles. With a twinkle Roy adds "of course the gas was taxed at the domestic fuel rate", and the Gas Company was Council owned! In hindsight emission reduction was a bonus that few appreciated at the time. Government supported this initiative by permitting the cross-use of domestic fuel for transport. Bill Birch, then Minister of Science and Technology (seen above with John Galbraith and Mayor Brian Elwood) provided much support.

As memories of 1973 faded and changes overtook the Council, the Gas Bus fleet was sold to Hamilton. Fuel prices dropped and very soon large scale use of gas powered vehicles became a thing of the past. By 1992 the Council fleet was fully back in the ranks of tail pipe emitters!

In recent years a number of local businesses, in conjunction with Massey University have invested in developing capability in electric traction technologies, including advanced batteries and control systems with the ability to support renewed region wide adoption of clean, emission free technologies promoting strategic gearing of the "local energy loop". Knowledge and capability to retrofit gas systems is available locally. Gas is available from our landfill and from bio-gas digesters. Recycling of spent computer and cell phone batteries using locally patented technologies and nano technology based energy storage systems are available in Manawatu.

The case for a Green Transport Pilot in Manawatu

Manawatu has the history, regional branding and aspiration of its people to embrace the greening of our transport fleet. Councils have supported green initiatives and have an excellent track record in developing sustainable energy programmes.

Transport has been recognised as a key contributor to overall pollution. The rush for adoption of low/zero carbon transport systems is not only envisioned to help us roll back overall emissions to 1990 levels, but also improve energy security in an increasingly uncertain outlook for petroleum based energy. The days of $25 for a barrel of crude oil are perhaps gone for ever.

Millions of dollars, euros and pounds are being poured into sustainable transport technologies with funds being provided on a hitherto unprecedented scale in continental Europe, America, Britain and Australia. New Zealand has a made a start with Road User Tax waiver for small electric vehicles. We need to do more than pay lip service.

The 2009 Government Policy Statement for Road Transport Funding does not propose any concrete measures to support New Zealand's national emission targets. The annual cost of New Zealand's failure to comply with commitments to roll back our emissions to 1990 levels has been estimated at between $350 and $800 million per year depending on the price of carbon credits. It would well be worth our while to look to jump start greening of the transport sector as a way of avoiding some of these potential dollar outflows. Establishing a baseline and monitoring the Pilot region's progress in reducing emissions will certainly develop a best practice and benchmarking expertise that can rapidly be rolled out across the country.

Even a cursory look at the figures reveal the importance of the region for both goods and passenger transport. The region therefore could help usher in new technologies on a medium scale preceding nation wide uptake.

A comparison of commercial heavy vehicle registered


TrucksBuses/CoachesHaulage tractorsPopulation '000
Auckland111,2604,5402,8451,300
Wellington Region28,0361,600502364
Horizons Region37,6707722,488222
NZ Total434,93818,95428,9934,028

Source LTSA Motor Vehicle Registrations - 2008. Table 36
Population data from Census 2006 tables.



Call to Action

From Councils

a) Make a minuted resolution from a Council meeting confirming Council's commitment to a Manawatu Green Transport Pilot.
b) Commit to a full and open community consultation and ownership of the Manawatu Green Transport Pilot.
c) Provide renewable locally generated energy for local transport together with appropriate charging infrastructure.
d) Promote policies, regulations and incentives to ensure utilisation of locally produced energy. This includes conversion of Council owned heavy transport vehicles to low / zero emission technologies.
e) Commit that all new heavy vehicle purchases will be low / zero emission vehicles. Assess the feasibility of conversion of Council owned heavy vehicles to using renewable energy. e.g. Rubbish collection vehicles.
f) Encourage Council's contractors through a judiciously applied stimulus package to adopt low emission transport for their heavy vehicles in used in urban operations.
g) Commit resources to encourage uptake of sustainable transport by community.


From Community organisations

a) Publicise objectives of the Green Transport Pilot to stakeholders
b) Assist in encouraging modal shift to Public and Active transport options.
c) Encourage the shift to low / zero tailpipe emission technologies for all vehicles.


From National Government

a) Fund feasibility studies for reduction of locally owned and operated heavy transport emissions by 5% per annum.
b) Funding to identify and benchmark emerging best practice for nationwide adoption
c) Create a fund to subsidise adoption of low / zero emission transport in the Pilot Programme.
d) Fund deployment of re-charging infrastructure in Manawatu to support the Programme.
e) Develop strategies for improving utilisation of the region's rail network.
f) Fund a strategy to improve productivity and utilisation of public transport.


------
Pictures and research information courtesy Ian Matheson City Archives, Palmerston North, unless otherwise attributed.
"MG" Gopalan,
Project Manager
Manawatu Tram Trust.
v 1.3 September 30, 2009

For comments or clarifications kindly contact mg@tramtrust.org.nz















Sunday, August 2, 2009

Levelling the playing field for electric vehicles in New Zealand



Mr John Key spoke of levelling the playing field for electric vehicles by exempting them from Road User Charges (RUC) during his Environment Policy Launch, on 6 September 2008.

Mr Key and his Cabinet must be congratulated for delivering one part of the promise i.e. for vehicles under 3.5 tonnes. May we request a critical evaluation and leadership to deliver on the second part of the promise - RUC exemption for heavier vehicles?

News from the United States of America and the United Kingom they have created specific funds to bridge the capital cost difference between conventional diesel vehicles and low or zero emission vehicles. Of particular environmental importance are passenger service vehicles in urban transit as well as neighbourhood delivery vehicles.

Road user charge waiver for heavy vehicles will among others benefit the Manawatu Tram Trust. We are in the process of retrofitting a diesel vehicle that will be operated as trackless battery powered tram for passenger service in Manawatu.

If New Zealand were to launch a fund similar to those in the United Kingdom and USA, retrofitting vehicles to electric traction would become the preferred option of many operators.

While resourcing such a fund on a national scale that bridges the price gap for electric vehicle uptake in the transport sector, it may well be worth considering a pilot region to trial such concepts. With its environmental and innovation pedigree Manawatu would make an ideal pilot zone.


Saturday, July 25, 2009

Electric_Traction

ELECTRIC TRACTION - A PANACEA FOR NEW ZEALAND's OIL DEPENDENCE

Can our future catch up with the present? Can transport emissions be reduced?

 

Electric traction technologies are a key to improving New Zealand's national energy security as well as dealing with the environmental fall out from fossil fuel usage. Developments in electric traction, energy storage and control systems technologies have made electric traction for light, medium and heavy vehicles technically feasible. Mainstreaming electric traction will make it commercially viable.

 

Electric traction vehicles include battery electric vehicles, whether they are vehicles intended for neighbourhoods, urban passenger transit, or extended range vehicles. By using electric traction, these vehicles consume much less (hybrid vehicles) or no fossil fuels (battery operated electric vehicles), belching less or no pollutants and greenhouse gases in the process of transportation. Electric traction technologies complement New Zealand's efforts to progressively rely on an electricity system based on renewable sources - our clean, green power.


In its briefing to the incoming Minister the Ministry for Environment reported that New Zealand had the following ranking in emissions per unit of GDP:


Type of emission NZ's OECD Ranking
Sulphur dioxide11th highest
Nitrogen Oxide5th highest
Greenhouse gases5th highest

Transport sector's share of these emissions has been estimated at 20%. Manawatu Tram Trust urges Parliament and Government to transform national fuel consumption by providing meaningful incentives for the adoption of mature electric traction technologies and foster the development of more strategic electric traction options. A commitment to ensure universal access to electricity charging infrastructure is a pre-requisite for uptake of electric vehicles on any discernible scale.

 

Vision, supported by coordinated policy, effective communication, leadership and commitment in the legislature, executive as well as "buy in" from mostly well disposed people in New Zeland will help us achieve global leadership in bringing clean transport technologies to the mainstream. This taken in the context of the overwhelming desire of New Zealanders demonstrated during recent public consultation conducted by the Ministry for Environment. In establishing New Zealand's emission targets 2020 we urge the Ministry to enlarge its Complementary policies advocacy by proposing incentives for not just electric cars but also medium and heavy electric vehicles. At least 20% of the New Zealand transport fleet will come up for replacement in the next decade or so; pragmatism in policy should therefore include retrofits as this will broaden the base of electric traction adoption.


 DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT

Governments critical role cannot be understated.  To engender private sector investment, support product development and commercialisation of electric transport technologies require political will and communications capability that is beyond the private sector. Government needs to make a robust case for the future catching up with the present. Government could:


• Dedicate a new fund for development and commercialisation of electric traction technologies for urban passenger transport, forklifts and neighbourhood delivery vehicles
• Extend road user charges waiver to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes
• Establish market incentives that would accelerate adoption of clean technologies
• Establish a vehicle operator subsidy to foster adoption of electric traction and associated technologies 
• Establish a fiscal incentives programme for uptake of electric vehicles
• Establish incentives and funding for sustainable micro electricity generation projects
• Establish incubation support for emerging technology clusters
• Review public transport tendering process and existing contracts to provide incentives for low and zero emission vehicles
• Accelerate government fleet conversion to electric traction through meaningful emission reporting and preferential procurement policies 
• Declare Palmerston North a Clean City and Manawatu a Green Transport Region to pilot adoption of electric traction technologies in the light, medium and heavy vehicle sectors

  

COSTS OF OPERATING FOSSIL FUEL POWERED TRANSPORT

Costs associated with the Climate Change (Emissions Trading and Renewable Preference Bill) will impact carbon emitting  fleet operating costs starting 2011. This in addition to the road user charges proposed in the Government Policy Statement could add a further burden on beleaguered transport operators.

Encouraging alternative propulsion appears to be the economic and logical course of action when faced with increasing operation costs.
 

FUNDING

Funding a regional initiative can no longer rely on the provisions of the PTMA 2008 for a Regional Fuel Tax. The Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding (GPS) 2009 provides for some flexibility in raising new funds under the principle of hypothecation. Extending the principle to fund a regional initiative would be feasible.

The amended Land Transport Management Act 2003 provides a mandate to the Minister in preparing the GPS. It requires him to be satisfied that the GPS ensures environmental sustainability and is consistent with the national energy efficiency and conservation strategy. This empowers the Minister to initiate the next steps to pilot a Green transport strategy for Manawatu as a model for New Zealand.

"MG" Gopalan
Project Manager


Audience: Regional Transport Committee, District Councils - Palmerston North, Tararua, Manawatu, Rangitikei, Horizons Regional Council, Minister of Transport, New Zealand Transport Agency, Ministry for Environment, Vision Manawatu, Members of the Manawatu Chamber of Commerce, Community


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