Title: Introduction: At the cross-roads of efficiency and sustainability

Authors: Peter Nijkamp, Jiuh-Biing Sheu, Lawrence W. Lan

Addresses: Department of Spatial Economics, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ' Institute of Traffic and Transportation, National Chiao Tung University, 4F, No. 114, Chung Hsiao W. Road, Taipei 10012, Taiwan. ' Department of Global Marketing and Logistics, MingDao University, 369 Wen-Hua Road, Peetow, Changhua 52345 Taiwan

Abstract: It is clear that sustainable transport is a challenging research and policy task. It requires a solid quantitative modelling, a collection of extensive databases, an analysis of the span of control of governments and stakeholders and a creative open mind in regard to the future. The case of a more mobile society and of justified demands of the Third World will prompt many intricate concerns, in which a blend of technological, behavioural and regulatory research and policy initiatives will be needed. Some progress has been made in the past years, but much more progress is necessary in the years to come. In particular, due attention is needed for the relationship between sustainability and efficiency in transport. This paper introduces both the topic of efficient and sustainable transportation systems and also, briefly, the papers from the special issue.

Keywords: sustainable transport; transport efficiency; sustainability; sustainable development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2009.024649

International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2009 Vol.8 No.3/4, pp.209 - 214

Published online: 13 Apr 2009 *

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