Achieving ‘Active’ 30 Minute Cities: How Feasible Is It to Reach Work within 30 Minutes Using Active Transport Modes?

The Governance of Traffic Noise Impacting Pedestrian Amenities in Melbourne Australia: A Critical Policy Review

By identifying a unified aim of Federal, State, and Local government authorities to deliver healthier, more liveable urban spaces and enable walkable neighbourhoods in Melbourne, Australia, questions emerge regarding noise data collection methods and the policies that aim to protect pedestrian areas from potential increases in urban traffic noise. It highlights a missed opportunity to develop strategies that provide explicit guidance for designing more compact urban forms without diminishing pedestrian amenities. This study investigates the governance of traffic-induced noise pollution and its impact on pedestrian amenities in Melbourne, Australia. It aims to identify the government bodies best positioned to protect pedestrians from noise pollution and evaluate the strategic justification for reducing traffic noise to enhance urban walkability. This research employs a semi-systematic policy selection method and a hybrid critique and review method to evaluate the multidisciplinary governance frameworks engaged in the management and mitigation of traffic noise in Melbourne. Key findings reveal that while traffic noise poses significant health risks, current policies overlook its impact on pedestrian amenities in urban areas. This study emphasises the benefits of qualitative and subjective noise data collection to inform policy-makers of the pedestrian aural experience and impacts. Discussion points include noise management strategies and the value of implementing metropolitan-scale noise-mapping to illustrate the impact of noise rather than quantities of sound. The conclusions demonstrate that there is strategic justification for managing traffic-induced noise pollution to protect pedestrian areas within international, federal, and state government policies and implicit rationale at a local level.

A study on the factors that influenced the choice of transport mode before, during, and after the first lockdown in Milan, Italy

COVID-19 measures implied many changes to travel behaviour and transport mode choice during the pandemic. This study seeks to understand what individual characteristics and travel attributes are related to transport mode choice before, during, and after the first lockdown in Italy. Based on an online survey (carried out in May 2020 in Milan), three multinomial regression models are presented. The results show that and in which measure parameters regarding distance and duration of daily travel are markedly related to transport mode before the lockdown. However, these factors are less significantly associated with the transport mode during and after the lockdown. Meanwhile, factors such as Preferences and Worry about using public transport have more significant relationship with the modal choice during the pandemic. Regarding individual characteristics, women are more likely to use active mode during and after the lockdown. Additionally, two personality traits of Agreeableness, and Openness to experiences are related to transport mode during and after the lockdown, respectively. Overall, this study reveals that in addition to socio-demographic factors, other variables such as worry about using public transport, preference, and personality are associated with the choice of transport mode during the lockdown.