December 22, 2006

Roadbuilding

More roads, pollution not linked

Study challenges widely held myths on pollution

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

A new Conference Board of Canada study challenges a widely-held view that expanding roads and highways inevitably leads to more traffic and greenhouse gas emissions.

The board’s research shows that building roads and highways at a rate that matches the growth in the driving-age population does not significantly increase road usage by motorists.

“Where people live is the most significant factor in determining how far they drive,” said John Roberts, director, environment and energy.

“A major part of the solution to Canada’s transportation challenges is more dense urban development, so people live closer to their workplaces and the services they use.”

The findings of the report, Build It and Will They Drive? Modelling Light Duty Vehicle Travel Demand, were music to the ears of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA).

“This study shows that the myth, which has been propagated primarily by some environmental groups that more highways equal more greenhouse gases, is just that: a myth,” said Jeff Morrison, the CCA’s director of government relations and public affairs.

The report concludes that, in addition to population density, measures such as congestion tolls — similar to those in London — have a greater effect on driving habits than limiting construction of roads and highways.

In a news release, the Conference Board said the study is unique for three reasons. It is the first in Canada to test for evidence of whether new road construction causes Canadians to choose to drive more.

“There is not an environmental cost to building more highways.”

Jeff Morrison

CCA

In addition, the study incorporates socio-economic factors into the analysis. These factors include: the share of Canadians residing in urban areas, vehicles per person of driving age, population growth, real per-capita disposable income, established driving habits and the price of gasoline relative to the price of local transit.

Finally, the study is the first public analysis of personal vehicle use to incorporate data from the new Canadian Vehicle Survey. Light duty vehicles refer to those primarily used for passenger transport, including all cars, minivans, sport-utility vehicles and small pickup trucks.

“I think what surprised us the most, perhaps, was how strongly the link was between socio-economic factors and the decision to drive or not,” said Morrison, who is also executive director of The Road and Infrastructure Program, Canada.

Asked about the implications for the roadbuilding sector, Morrison said the report provides data that can be brought to the attention of policymakers “who were perhaps influenced by the train of thought that more highways equal more greenhouse gases.

“I think this will provide better information so they (policymakers) understand there is not an environmental cost to building more highways.”

Morrison told Daily Commercial News that release of the report is also timely in light of the national debate over implementing the Kyoto accord and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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