Margaret Howard

"TravelSmart Households in the West"

South Australia’s component of the National Travel Behaviour Change Program, TravelSmart Households in the West, was a large scale sustainable travel behaviour change project in Adelaide’s western suburbs.
Two of the project’s outcomes have been lower greenhouse gas emissions and an increase in public transport patronage. Greenhouse gas emissions result from the fuel consumed per kilometre travelled by vehicles. Reduction in vehicle kilometres was therefore the key outcome measure. Change in travel mode (% shift to more sustainable modes) was a secondary measure.

TravelSmart Households in the West delivered a substantial reduction in private motor vehicle use. Participating households reduced the number of kilometres they travelled in their cars by a ground breaking 18% while non participants increased theirs by 6% during the same period.
The project also achieved unprecedented understanding and measurement of the impact of one aspect of human activity - the burning of fossil fuels for personal transport. This was achieved by expanding the community’s knowledge about their transport options. People from demographically diverse backgrounds voluntarily changed their travel choices.

TravelSmart Households in the West is an example of how sustainable travel behaviour change can occur on a large scale, reducing people’s car dependence and contributing to improved personal, social, economic and environmental health and wellbeing.

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