Challenges to and potential for low carbon commuting: rush hour in Beijing
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2011
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Melbourne Authors
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Melbourne School of Land and Environment
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Honours thesis
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Developing countries have come under the scrutiny of the international community due to high carbon emissions from the transport sector as carbonrelated environmental problems take the forefront in global discussions. Through the collection of data of Beijing's residents using fixed-choice surveys and semistructured interviews, this study aims to uncover the city's current commuting trends and to identify the barriers and potential that would allow the city's transport system to become more carbon friendly. Buses are presently the most popular form of transportation in Beijing, closely followed by motor vehicles, bicycles and walking, with the subway being the least widely used commuting mode. Income, distance, practicality, affordability and the individual perception of transport types have all been shown to influence how and why commuters use a particular travel mode. The study concludes that in order for Beijing to develop a sustainable transport system, it requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses issues of increasing travel distances and a growing dependence and preference for the car as a primary transport choice.