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Transportation presents severe challenges for sustainable development. Improvements in fuel efficiency and pollution control over the last two decades, while not inconsiderable, have been more than offset by increases in the ownership, use, and power of motor vehicles of various kinds. The number of vehicles -- now more than 600 million worldwide -- is growing almost everywhere at higher rates than both population and GDP. Overall road traffic grows even more quickly. The largest increases over the next several decades are likely to occur in non-OECD countries, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Air transport is growing even more rapidly than road traffic, while use of public transport, which is generally more environmentally benign, is declining in many countries.
The environmental and health impacts of transport, present and potential, are increasingly well understood. Governments have in recent years become increasingly concerned with setting long-term transportation goals that are consistent with sustainable development objectives. More than ever, because transport presents such special challenges, dialogue among disciplines, among levels of government, and among economic sectors is required to move forward.
This conference provides such an opportunity for such dialogue. It is bringing together policy-makers and experts in governments, international organizations, industry, research institutes, and municipalities from many countries. Participants will explore perspectives on environmentally sustainable transportation; attempt to reconcile goals for transportation, environment, technology, energy, and development; contribute to the development of principles that will guide nations in implementing environmentally responsible transportation programs; and identify policies and measures that should be adopted to achieve sustainable transportation.