Promoting healthier travel

One of the Malta Transport Authority's long-term core objectives is to promote healthier travel. This is fundamental in achieving the overall aim of sustainable transport in Malta, particularly with the increasing number of vehicles on our roads, which over the last ten years, has increased by 26 per cent. This is exerting extensive pressure on the environment, and is one of the main causes of excessive emissions.

As part of the improvements made to the Driving Training and Testing, candidates of goods and passenger carrying vehicles are now expected to know how to drive in an economically and environment-friendly manner, taking into account the revolutions per minute, the changing of gears, braking and accelerating.

This is being strengthened further in 2008 with the introduction of a Certificate of Professional Competence for goods and passenger carrying vehicles.

Enforcement

In the last 12 months, roadside checks have been carried out on 2,235 vehicles out of which 65 per cent were heavy vehicles (over 3.5 tons). These inspections aim at ensuring compliance with the Motor Vehicle Regulations, including testing for emission levels. Those that failed the test were fined and required to fix their vehicle and undergo a follow-up test.

The Vehicle Roadworthiness Test (VRT) also ensures that vehicles are tested every two years, except for new vehicles whose first test is required after four years. This year, these tests include a new requirement - to check the seal on diesel pumps. This ensures that no tampering can take place with the pump, since tampering can cause the engine to emit excessively. Those vehicles that fail the test are all required to be fixed and re-tested before their road licence can be renewed.

In 2005 the SMS Emission Alert campaign was introduced to raise awareness on emissions - this was, and still is, the primary objective of the campaign. The main success factor behind this awareness campaign is the period the Authority allows, between when the vehicle is actually called in for testing, and the actual day of the test. This provides the vehicle owner with sufficient time to check and fix the vehicle.

Till the end of September, a total of 125,739 SMS reports have been received. This resulted in 3,532 vehicles being tested at least once in the last two years. Out of these, 16 per cent failed the test, were fined and were required to fix their vehicle before being booked for follow-up tests. Another 913 vehicles have not showed up for their test and will be unable to renew their road licence until they pass the test.

In 2006 the Authority extended the emission testing by training local warden agencies and providing them with testing equipment. The objective was to test vehicles that were seen to emit excessive emissions, and fine them on the spot. To date over 4,000 vehicles have been tested, and the initial failing rate of 85 per cent has dropped down to 10 per cent.

The calibration of equipment and testing procedures are all conducted in accordance with set standards. The Authority recently trained 20 enforcement officers in various aspects of roadside checks (including emission testing) as part of an EU-funded capacity building programme. This programme also includes the procurement of equipment, including additional portable emission testing equipment which will be available in the first quarter of 2008, thus providing the Authority with more capacity for testing for emissions.

Alternative modes of transport

Apart from enforcing and discouraging excessive emissions, the Authority is committed to promote healthier travel in various ways.

In the first nine months of 2007, there has been a seven per cent increase in public transport patronage compared to the same period in 2006, proving that the various initiatives taken by the Authority in this sector were successful.

Other successful measures like the Park and Ride were introduced aiming at reducing traffic in Valletta. Comparisons of morning traffic in St Anne's Street between 2004 and 2007 show a marked decrease of 30 per cent in traffic towards Valletta, and 26 per cent in traffic leaving Valletta.

The Controlled Vehicular Access System (CVA) has also been implemented successfully this year, striking a balance between providing more accessibility to people who previously were restricted from entering Valletta, while discouraging people from parking their vehicles for the day in Valletta.

From initial statistics, it is clear that vehicles entering Valletta are now distributed more evenly across the day, therefore reducing the amount of traffic in the peak hours, and decreasing the overall impact of traffic-related pollution at specific times of the day.

Another key benefit of introducing the CVA charge is the increase in parking turnover around the city, therefore eliminating the need for cars cruising around in an attempt to find a space vacated by a departing car. This has shown to reduce congestion, waste less fuel, and improve air quality.

The media reported recent criticism by Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar for limiting the transport contribution towards mobility week to just the cycling proficiency test. Children are one of the most vulnerable road users, and educating them on the safe and proper use of bicycles on our roads not only promotes healthier travel, but also promotes road safety awareness.

In today's society, where children are chauffeured around in cars, the future mobility of the country will be limited to more car drivers. Therefore it will be impossible to have a non-car-dependent society in ten years' time unless we do not start to bring up children who are able to move with alternate and healthier modes of transport.

It would be ideal if all people cycle or walk to and from work, however it is not realistic due to social and physical limitations. Furthermore, most workplaces are not as yet geared to provide showering, changing facilities, and cycling storage. However this practice is catching up with more people appreciating the health benefits including exercise in their commuting.

Car-sharing is not exploited enough. How many of our colleagues actually live within five minutes from where we live? Imagine the impact on traffic if everyone had to get a lift to work just once a week, not to mention the quicker and less nerve-wrecking journey to work, and the savings on fuel costs. Employers should also encourage the concepts of flexitime and teleworking more. These concepts help distribute and reduce the traffic during peak hours.

Collective effort

Yes the Malta Transport Authority will continue promoting healthier travel, and yes there is always more that it can do, but the real difference will be seen when every individual makes an extra effort because at the end of the day, it is not just what can be done for you, but more what each and every one of us can do for the environment.

Mr Sutton is deputy chief executive officer of the Malta Transport Authority