Accidents, congestion and wear and tear on roads are all impacts of traffic. More worrying from a long-term health point of view are the environmental impacts of traffic which can affect us in negative ways.
Sounds and smells of traffic are top of the list, with noise pollution ranking high alongside vehicle-generated air pollution. Whether you are stuck in a traffic jam, walking next to traffic or on the receiving end of traffic noise and fumes entering your home, the health risks are high.
In a Danish study carried out in 2012, researchers found that people who live with higher levels of traffic noise around their homes have an increased risk of heart attack. The study found that the risk of heart attack rose by 12 per cent with every 10 decibel increase of sound.
A more recent study in Germany last year found that even the stress of being stuck in a traffic jam can push up the chances of having a heart attack. In addition to this there is no shortage of studies showing strong ties between exposure to air pollution from traffic-related exhaust and a long list of health problems.
The end of January saw the emergence of an assessment of policy actions in a response to the high impact and costs of road traffic in Malta. External costs of transport were estimated in the study prepared by the University of Malta’s Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Development (ICCSD).
The study estimated the cost of light commercial vehicles and passenger car traffic in relation to accidents, pollution, congestion and climate change. Nearly 80 per cent of all vehicles on the island are passenger vehicles.
At a seminar to launch the study, organised by the European Commission representation in Malta, Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella, who is also responsible for fisheries and maritime affairs, pointed out that visitors to our islands are put off by traffic, noise and bad air quality. Similar problems in China were followed by a drop in tourist figures of half a million, he said.
In a society where the car has become dominant, the average cost of delays in Malta is already costing €120 million per year, triple the EU average. Add to this the cost of accidents and pollution, and the figure doubles. With the amount of vehicles bound to increase in the coming years these are figures that Malta cannot afford.
It is a sad fact that Malta does not comply with emission ceilings. In the Commissioner’s words, we are “way above” guidelines for nitrous oxide and non-compliant for other components of exhaust fumes from traffic. If we want to focus on encouraging sustainable tourism then air quality must improve.
“There is no silver bullet cure for air quality – only a balanced mix of sustainable solutions,” Vella said, adding that the costs of air quality could be offset by savings in health care.
In the past decade the stock of vehicles in Malta has risen by 64,000, with six out of 10 people owning a car.
The average cost of delays in Malta is already costing €120 million per year, triple the EU average. Add to this the cost of accidents and pollution, and the figure doubles
“Nobody likes to give up their car, but how can you not expect adverse conditions if transport is not managed well?” asked the Commissioner. He referred to the study as a snapshot – “a picture of an affluent society on the verge of becoming an effluent one”.
A number of solutions to reduce the impacts and costs of traffic were put forward in three policy actions presented at the seminar. Among a number of options, an increase in efficiency and use of public transport, car-sharing and optimisation of school or office hours could potentially ease the traffic situation.
The net benefits of using the car could be made lower than for alternative modes of transport by policies such as road pricing and paid parking, although the effectiveness and impact of these measures may require more study.
Social impacts of chosen policy actions, and especially the affordability of transport to low-income households, cannot be overlooked.
Time was allotted during the seminar for a discussion on the social sustainability of proposed policies, and feedback was welcomed.
Together with the European Environment Agency director, Vella will be presenting the 2015 State of the Environment report next month, including cross-country comparisons for selected air pollutants.
The Commission is also working on improving environmental performance of heavy-duty vehicles and looking at thresholds for non-road vehicles such as tractors and excavators. New standards are being developed for nitrous oxide and very fine dust (particulate matter PM 2.5) to come into effect in 2017.
But before adding more targets, ways have to be found to help EU member states comply with existing regulations. According to the Commissioner, this may be the moment for member states to grasp all opportunities available and check funding possibilities to steer themselves toward better air pollution control.
Transport Minister Joe Mizzi said that the government endorsed certain public transport initiatives such as promoting the use of ferries in port areas to make it more frequent, affordable and efficient compared with driving a car.
A monorail in Malta, he said, could not be implemented without sufficient EU funds, but every possibility was being explored. The minister was optimistic that the new public transport operator would provide a good service but noted that buses cannot do this if the roads are congested, and most bus travellers still buy their tickets on the bus. Mizzi added that the best way to reduce morning and afternoon traffic peaks had to be found.
Transport is a key sector providing functionability for other sectors. Safeguarding the mobility of people is the main goal of the EU directorate for general mobility and transport. Guus van der Schouw, representing the directorate, said the problem of congestion was growing not only in cities but in all EU transport networks.
The directorate is working on an analysis of the European transport situation and how it will evolve up until 2050 while setting out the policy agenda for the next 10 years. Transport must shift toward using less energy and producing cleaner emissions.
Philip von Brockdorff of the University of Malta’s economics department advised that to upgrade transport there has to be an improvement in infrastructure but this should not mean increasing the number of roads.
ICCSD director Maria Attard noted that the cost of transport to households was high, rating second in after food. While parking is a huge concern there is very little research on this subject despite talk of increasing car parks around the island.
“We need to strike a balance between how much it costs to move and the efficiency of the system,” Attard said.
On the plus side, a notable shift to public transport has already been seen for trips to Valletta. However, adequate shelters for waiting passengers are essential if public transport is to be encouraged further.