DRIVING HOME CLEAN TRANSPORTATION WITH TWO NEW INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

Responsible for nearly a quarter of global carbon emissions, transport is the achilles heel of nearly every city. Yet, with energy demand on the rise, so much needs to be done to tackle the 2030 Agenda targets. New standards have just been published to help achieve smart and efficient transportation in new and existing urban areas.

Car-sharing apps, electric cars and buses and new bike lanes have all helped to stem the rise in energy demand for transport, but they are not enough. As populations grow, demand goes with it, meaning that road vehicles continue to account for the vast majority of transport-related CO₂ emissions.

Smart transportation that uses less energy and has a reduced impact on the environment means everyone can breathe easier: citizens, the environment and the world. What’s more, it makes for a more attractive city. Two new International Standards have just been published to help.

ISO 37161, Smart community infrastructures – Guidance on smart transportation for energy saving in transportation services, provides guidance to transport organizations, local and national governments and any other industry player on how to reduce energy used in transportation for passengers, delivery, freight and postal services. It features energy-saving options that can be adopted, along with the maintenance and monitoring of such measures.

The standard is complemented by ISO 37162, Smart community infrastructures – Smart transportation for newly developing areas, that helps town planners of new developments and areas implement transport services that not only meet the needs of the population but address sustainability issues.

Dr Yoshiaki Ichikawa, Chair of the ISO subcommittee that developed the standards, said reducing energy consumption and implementing changes that favour the environment must take a holistic approach.

“Transportation networks can be very complex, involving not only the vehicles used but the entire operational system,” he said.

“These standards provide guidance on all aspects of transportation, including the criteria and parameters to be considered in the selection of energy-saving options, for long-term results.”

ISO 37161 and ISO 37162 are two of many ISO standards aimed at smart transportation, with others including ISO 37157 (compact cities), ISO 37158 (battery-powered buses for passenger services) and ISO 37159 (rapid transit in and between large city zones).

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