Better and Safer Roads — Better Environment
Making our roads safer, preserving individual mobility, and reducing the environmental impact of cars are all tied to the condition of our roads and highways.
Each year, the average Canadian produces approximately five tonnes of greenhouse gases (GHGs), and statistics estimate that approximately 50 per cent of those GHGs are produced by our vehicles. Though GHGs produced by light duty vehicles may only represent 12 per cent of the overall amount of GHGs produced in Canada, there is considerable room to reduce, particularly when we examine the excess of GHGs caused by roads in poor and unsafe conditions.
The National Highway System (NHS), for example, is the backbone of Canada's transportation system comprising some 38,000 kilometres of roads and highways and carrying 30 per cent of our nation's traffic. Unfortunately, like most of our roadway infrastructure, the National Highway System is subject to ad-hoc maintenance, leaving many sections of this important infrastructure out of date and inefficient when it comes to the needs of today's motorists.
So How Does This Affect the Environment?
Reducing congestion and improving the flow of traffic on the NHS would have a positive effect on the environment, including reducing fuel consumption by as much as 236 million litres each year.
Inefficient roads and highways create congested traffic situations — particularly during rush hour, near land borders and when traffic lanes are reduced (whether because of construction or design). Congestion causes cars to produce more GHGs because they are idling at low speeds, and braking constantly. Fluid traffic does not cause as many GHGs because traffic is circulating at optimal speeds — less gas is being wasted and less GHG emissions are produced.
Is upgrading our roads the only answer? Well, certainly, Canada does need a long-term plan and dedicated funds to ensure our roads and highways are safe and well maintained. However, there are many other solutions that can help to lessen the impact we have on our environment. Eco-Driving is a solution you can implement on your own to help to protect our environment.
Technology Can Help, Too
Implementing ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) to improve traffic flow was identified by the National Transportation Table on Climate Change as one of the "most promising measures" to reduce greenhouse gases.
Many roads that exist today simply cannot accommodate the volume of traffic they carry, which leads to congestion and deteriorating conditions and inefficient roads. ITS can help to smooth the flow of traffic and improve mobility on congested corridors by integrating information technology — computers, communications, sensor and control technologies — and management strategies to improve the safety and efficiency of ground transportation.
By enhancing the role of technology and innovation as we develop better and safer roads and highways, we will ensure that Canada has best-in-class roads.
For more information on how better and safer roads contribute to a better environment, we encourage you to investigate the following documents: Driving Towards a Cleaner Environment — a Healthier Future and Warning Signs.