COST 356 EST

Towards the definition of a measurable environmentally sustainable transport

Functionalities of indicators and role of context
Robert JOUMARD & Henrik GUDMUNDSSON
29 August 2007
This note is prt o! "G # $ork o! %OST A&tion '()* "G # is bout Net$ork bui+,ing n,
-etho,o+ogi&+ gui,n&e* The purpose o! this note is to pro.i,e -etho,o+ogi&+ gui,n&e to the
%OST A&tion '() $ith regr, to the &on&ept n, ro+e o! in,i&tors in the &tion* /t is s0nthesis o!
S-++ n, Short Ter- "orking Groups #*2*# 1!un&tions o! 2ST in,i&tors 3 -esure-ent n,
,e&ision -king4 n, #*2*2* 1,e!initions o! ph0si&+ n, po+i&0 &onte5ts o! 2ST in,i&tors4*
The &tion in.o+.es t$o -in $ork res $here the ro+e o! in,i&tors is re+e.nt6
3 "G26 2n.iron-ent+ ssess-ent 1in,i&tors s -esure-ent too+s4
3 "G '6 /ntegrtion in ,e&ision -king 1in,i&tors s ,e&ision -king too+s4
This -etho,o+ogi&+ gui,n&e note in&+u,es t$o -in spe&ts6
#4 De!ining the &on&ept o! in,i&tors itse+! tking into &&ount the &onte5t o! %OST '()
24 Ho$ &onte5tu+ !&tors shou+, be tken into &&ount $hen &tu+ 2ST in,i&tors re i,enti!ie,
This s0nthesis is espe&i++0 bse, on the presenttions -,e ,uring the 2
n,
n, '
r,
"G # -eetings7
he+, in M,ri, on #83#9 O&tober 200) n, in 9isbon on 28 :ebrur0 20076
3 Jens ;orken n, Henrik Gu,-un,sson6 The &onte5t +$0s -tters
3 Robert Jou-r,7 Gerssi-os Arpis n, Thierr0 Goger6 2n.iron-ent+ in,i&tors6 The &onte5t is
not n i-portnt pr-eter7 but en.iron-ent+ spe&ts 1&hin o! &us+ities4
3 Henrik Gu,-un,sson6 /n,i&tors s too+s !or -esure-ent n, ,e&ision -king
3 Robert Jou-r,6 De!initions o! ph0si&+ n, po+i&0 &onte5ts o! 2ST in,i&tors
1. Defining indicators
The +iterture hs been re.ie$e, to i,enti!0 so-e o!!i&i+ n, other potenti++0 re+e.nt ,e!initions
o! the ter- <in,i&tor=* The re.ie$ is b0 no -ens &o-p+ete* The ro+e o! this re.ie$ o! in,i&tor
,e!initions is not to +o&te one <&orre&t= ,e!inition7 but to he+p i,enti!0 the ke0 !un&tions tht
in,i&tors &n p+07 n, re.e+ the e5tent to $hi&h &onte5t !&tors shou+, be ++o$e, to in!+uen&e
ho$ %OST '() ,e!ines in,i&tors* /n the en, ,e!inition ,ee-e, pproprite !or %OST '() is
propose,*
The re.ie$ o! in,i&tor ,e!initions is ,i.i,e, into !our prts* Se&tion #*# in&+u,es gener+7 generi&
or g+ob+ in,i&tor ,e!initions !ro- ,i&tionries7 en&0&+ope,i n, so-e signi!i&nt &,e-i&
&ontributions* Se&tion #*2 +ooks t ,e!initions o! <en.iron-ent+= in,i&tors* Se&tion #*' +ooks !or
in,i&tor ,e!initions tht tke into &&ount the &onte5t o! sustinbi+it0* :in++0 se&tion #*> i,enti!ies
in,i&tor ,e!initions tht h.e been propose, $ithin the spe&i!i& !ie+, o! %OST '() n-e+0
sustinb+e trnsport* Se&tion #*( pro.i,es the propose, ,e!inition*
1.1. General definitions
#* A substn&e 1s +it-us4 use, to sho$ .isu++0 1s b0 &hnge o! &o+our4 the &on,ition o! so+ution
$ith respe&t to the presen&e o! prti&u+r -teri+ 1s !ree &i, or +k+i4 1"ebsters4
Functionalities of indicators and role of contet !" # $% 2 ? #0
2* An orgnis- or e&o+ogi&+ &o--unit0 so stri&t+0 sso&ite, $ith prti&u+r en.iron-ent+
&on,itions tht its presen&e is in,i&ti.e o! the e5isten&e o! these &on,itions 1"ebsters4
'* @e&o+og0A6 in,i&tor spe&ies 3 spe&ies $hose presen&e is ,ire&t+0 re+te, to prti&u+r Bu+it0
in its en.iron-ent t gi.en +o&tion* 1M&Gr$3Hi++ 2n&0&+ope,i o! S&ien&e & Te&hno+og04
>* @e&ono-i&sA An0 o! group o! sttisti&+ .+ues 1s +e.e+ o! e-p+o0-ent4 tht tken together
gi.e n in,i&tion o! the he+th o! the e&ono-0 1"ebsters4
(* @bio+og0A6 An orgnis- tht &n be use, to ,eter-ine the &on&entrtion o! &he-i&+ in the
en.iron-ent* 1M&Gr$3Hi++ 2n&0&+ope,i o! S&ien&e & Te&hno+og04
)* @n+0ti&+ &he-istr0A6 A substn&e $hose ph0si&+ ppern&e is +tere, t or ner the en, point
o! &he-i&+ titrtion* 1M&Gr$3Hi++ 2n&0&+ope,i o! S&ien&e & Te&hno+og04
7* %o--on ter- to re!er to the .rib+es tht $e use to ,ete&t 1C4 &on&epts e-piri&++0*
1/nterntion+ 2n&0&+ope,i o! the So&i+ & ;eh.iour+ S&ien&es6 ;o++en7 200#4
8* A .rib+e tht is ,ire&t+0 sso&ite, $ith +tent .rib+e su&h tht ,i!!eren&es in the .+ues o!
the +tent .rib+e -irror ,i!!eren&es in the .+ues o! the in,i&tor* 1/nterntion+ 2n&0&+ope,i
o! the So&i+ & ;eh.iour+ S&ien&es6 ;o++en7 200#4
9* At -ore &on&rete +e.e+7 Cin,i&tors re .rib+es 1not D.+uesD7 s the0 re so-eti-es &++e,4*
A .rib+e is n opertion+ representtion o! n ttribute 1Bu+it07 &hr&teristi&7 propert04 o!
s0ste-* 1G* G++opin7 #9974
#0* The resoning is -u+ti3step one* Gi.en &on&ept E* "e begin b0 bui+,ing representtion
o! this &on&ept !u++ o! i-ger06 Here &o-e into p+0 kno$+e,ge7 sensibi+it0 n, &reti.it0* The
ne5t step spe&i!ies the &on&ept7 gi.ing its ,i-ensions* During the thir, step7 in,i&tors o! these
,i-ensions re &hosen7 i*e* so-e obser.b+e &hr&teristi&s7 $hi&h sho$ these ,i-ensions* At
the en,7 the $eighte, s0nthesis o! these ,i-ensions is -,e7 gi.ing uniBue -esure-ent7
$hi&h is the in,e5 1;our,on n, 9Fr!e+,7 #9)(4*
Summary
The gener+ ,e!initions shre -n0 &o--on e+e-ents* An in,i&tor is gener++0 un,erstoo, s
too+ or -etho, to -esure so-ething in $0 tht ,eBute+0 represents $ht is -esure,* 2.en
the gener+ ,e!initions re o!ten ,e!ine, $ith respe&t to ,i!!erent -esure-ent !un&tions in ,i!!erent
s&ienti!i& ,o-ins 1&he-istr07 bio+og07 so&i+ s&ien&e4* /n so-e7 -ost+0 ntur+ s&ien&e ,e!initions7
the in,i&tor +inkge &n be strong 1e*g* use, to determine so-ething4* /n other &ses 1so&i+
s&ien&e7 e&o+og04 the +inkge -0 be $eker7 the in,i&tor <in,i&ting= or su&&estin& so-ething* /n
no &ses n in,i&tor is un,erstoo, s !u++ ,es&ription o! so-ething*
1.2. Environmental indicators
##* A pr-eter7 or .+ue ,eri.e, !ro- pr-eters7 $hi&h points to7 pro.i,es in!or-tion
bout7 ,es&ribes the stte o! pheno-enon?en.iron-ent?re7 $ith signi!i&n&e e5ten,ing
be0on, tht ,ire&t+0 sso&ite, $ith pr-eter .+ue*G 1O2%D #99'4
#2* A pr-eter or .+ue ,eri.e, !ro- pr-eters tht ,es&ribe the stte o! the en.iron-ent
n, its i-p&t on hu-n beings7 e&os0ste-s n, -teri+s7 the pressures on the en.iron-ent7 the
,ri.ing !or&es n, the responses steering tht s0ste-* An in,i&tor hs gone through se+e&tion
n,?or ggregtion pro&ess to enb+e it to steer &tion*G 122A G+ossr0 20074
#'* A nu-eri&+ .+ue ,eri.e, !ro- &tu+ -esure-ents o! pressure7 -bient &on,ition7
e5posure7 or hu-n he+th or e&o+ogi&+ &on,ition o.er spe&i!ie, geogrphi& ,o-in7 $hose
tren,s o.er ti-e represent or ,r$ ttention to un,er+0ing tren,s in the &on,ition o! the
en.iron-ent*G 1US2HA 200)4
Functionalities of indicators and role of contet !" # $% ' ? #0
Summary
These ,e!initions o! <en.iron-ent+ in,i&tors= re si-i+r n, ++ &on&ern -esure-ent o! spe&ts
o! the en.iron-ent itse+! or inter&tions bet$een hu-ns n, the en.iron-ent* The ,e!initions ,o
not ,e.ite !un,-ent++0 !ro- the bo.e gener+ ,e!inition o! in,i&tors7 but pro.i,e so-e
gui,n&e bout the &ontent o! en.iron-ent+ in,i&tors* 22A -ention <en.iron-ent+ i-p&t= s
one spe&t* The bsi& notion o! representtion is &+er+0 present* A&&or,ing to the O2%D ,e!inition
the representtion shou+, go <be0on,= $ht is ,ire&t+0 -esure,* This is i,enti&+ $ith the gener+
in,i&tor !un&tion* ;ut the +inkge bet$een subIe&t n, in,i&tor &n be &&epte, s re+ti.e+0 $ek
!or en.iron-ent+ in,i&tor 1<pro.i,es in!or-tion bout=7 <,es&ribe=7 <,eri.e, !ro-=7 <,r$
ttention to=4* Moreo.er the -esure-ent spe&t is s+ight+0 ,e3e-phsise,7 sin&e en.iron-ent+
in,i&tors -0 be derived !ro- <pr-eters= or derived !ro- <&tu+ -esure-ent=* 22A high+ights
the &onte5t o! steering* US2HA high+ights &onte5t s ph0si&+ ti-e3sp&e ,o-in*
1.3. Sustainability indicators
#>* Juntitti.e -esures o! hu-n $e++being7 e&ono-i& &ti.it07 n, ntur+ pro&esses n,
&on,itionsK the0 re nee,e, to sense the ,egree to $hi&h hu-n &ti.it0 -0 be &ontinue, or
e5pn,e, in the !uture* 1/nterntion+ 2n&0&+ope,i o! the So&i+ & ;eh.iour+ S&ien&es 200#
19ee7 200#4
#(* Sustinb+e ,e.e+op-ent in,i&tor6 A sttisti&+ -esure tht gi.es n in,i&tion on the
sustinbi+it0 o! so&i+7 en.iron-ent+ n, e&ono-i& ,e.e+op-ent* 1O2%D G+ossr0 200(4
#)* LSustinbi+it0 in,i&tors re!+e&t the repro,u&ibi+it0 o! the $0 gi.en so&iet0 uti+iFes its
en.iron-ent==* 1Ops&hoor & Rein,ers #99#7 p* 74
Summary
These ,e!initions re se+e&te, !or- +rge +iterture on sustinbi+it0 in,i&tors* A++ o! the-
high+ight the -esure-ent spe&t7 gin in o.er++ &orrespon,en&e $ith the gener+ ,e!inition n,
its i,e o! representtion* /n this &se the representtion is o! &o-p+e5 notion n-e+0
<sustinbi+it0= or <repro,u&ibi+it0 or <the ,egree to $hi&h hu-n &ti.it0 -0 be &ontinue, or
e5pn,e,*= Hen&e the +inkge is &&epte, s potenti++0 .er0 $ek 1<re!+e&t=7 <gi.e n in,i&tion=7
<sense=4*
9rge prts o! the s-e +iterture ,e+s $ith nother spe&t n-e+0 the ro+e o! sustinbi+it0
in,i&tors !or ,e&ision -king This +iterture ,,s se.er+ other e+e-ents to $ht it reBuires !or n
in,i&tor to be ,eBute sustinbi+it0 in,i&tor7 in&+u,ing being <-ening!u+= n, <resonnt=
1-oti.ting4 !or ,e&ision -kers n, stkeho+,ers 1Gr0 n, "ie,e-nn #999K S%OH2 200)K
Me,o$s #99)K ;osse+ #99)4*
1.4. Sustainable transport indicators
#7* Se+e&te,7 trgete,7 n, &o-presse, .rib+es tht re!+e&t pub+i& &on&erns n, re o! use to
,e&ision3-kers 1Gi+bert et + 200'4
#8* Sustinb+e trnsporttion in,i&tors 1ST/s4 re ,e!ine, s regu+r+0 up,te, per!or-n&e
-esures tht he+p trnsporttion p+nners n, -ngers tke into &&ount the !u++ rnge o!
e&ono-i&7 so&i+ n, en.iron-ent+ i-p&ts o! their ,e&isionsG 19ee et +* 200'4
#9* :ore&stb+e Bunti!ib+e .rib+e7 usu++0 $ith trget .+ue representing n obIe&ti.e7 $hi&h
s0-bo+ises en.iron-ent+ or other i-p&ts o! trnsport in!rstru&ture p+ns 1in&+u,ing or,in+
s&+es6 e*g +o$7 -e,iu-7 high46 Output /n,i&tor6 n in,i&tor tht -esures the ,ire&t output o!
the p+n or progr--e* These in,i&tors -esure progress in &hie.ing p+n or progr--e
obIe&ti.es7 trgets n, po+i&ies* Signi!i&nt 2!!e&t /n,i&tor6 An in,i&tor tht -esures the
Functionalities of indicators and role of contet !" # $% > ? #0
signi!i&nt e!!e&ts o! the p+n or progr--e* %onte5tu+ /n,i&tor6 An in,i&tor tht -esures
&hnges in the &onte5t $ithin $hi&h p+n or progr--e is being prepre, or i-p+e-ente,*
1%OST '(04
20* /n,i&tors re $0s o! Bunti!0ing obIe&ti.es* :or e5-p+e7 &&i,ent nu-bers $ou+,
-esure the o.er++ s!et0 obIe&ti.e* This t0pe o! in,i&tor is o!ten &++e, n out&o-e in,i&tor7
in tht it -esures prt o! the out&o-e o! strteg0* /t is +so possib+e to ,e!ine input in,i&tors7
$hi&h -esure $ht hs been ,one 1e*g* +ength o! bus +nes i-p+e-ente,4 n, pro&ess
in,i&tors7 $hi&h ,es&ribe ho$ the trnsport s0ste- is respon,ing 1e*g* nu-ber o! bus users4*
1MonSU9T7 the Mno$+e,gebse on Sustinb+e Urbn 9n, use n, Trnsport4
2#* Gener+ prin&ip+es regr,ing in,i&tors in n0 Urbn Mobi+it0 s0ste-6 /n,i&tors shou+,
support ,e&ision3-king &p&it0 in prti&u+r enb+ing pro&ti.e &tion to &orre&t the
per!or-n&e pth o! spe&i!i& e+e-ent or gent $hene.er signs o! potenti+ un,erper!or-n&e
re i,enti!ie,C 1M&rio 200(4
Summary
The ,e!initions propose, in the &onte5t o! sustinb+e trnsport re7 e.en i! -i5e,7 bse, on the
s-e i,e o! representtion s the gener+ ,e!inition* Ho$e.er7 the <so-ething= to be in,i&te, n,
represente, is -u&h -ore !o&use, on obIe&ti.es7 p+ns7 po+i&ies7 -esures7 et& to &hie.e
sustinb+e trnsport7 thn on si-p+0 representing ite-s $ithin s0ste-s* The ,e!initions ,r$ the
e-phsis on the &onte5t o! ,e&ision -king !ro- the gener+ +iterture bout sustinbi+it0
in,i&tors7 o! $hi&h it is sub,i.ision* /t ,oes not see- tht n 2ST in,i&tor is &&eptb+e 1!u+!i+
&riteri4 i! it ,oes not represent in!or-tion tht is re+e.nt !or the per!or-n&e o! po+i&ies* The
%OST '(0 is the -ost ,eti+e,7 &on&ise n, e+borte o! the ,e!initions7 but .er0 restri&ti.e in the
sense tht on+0 <Bunti!ib+e7 !ore&stb+e= .rib+e re &&epte,* This see-s not !u++0 Iusti!ie, in
the %OST '() &onte5t $here in,i&tors -0 be eBu++0 re+e.nt in the retrospe&ti.e7 s in e5 post
-esure-ent* A+so it is restri&te, to trnsport in!rstru&ture7 $hi&h is too nrro$ !or %OST '()*
1.5. General summary and proposed definition
Abo.e re +iste, three t0pes o! ,e!initions6
3 sentr07 sentine+7 re.e+tion7 in,i&ting the presen&e or bsen&e o! so-ething6 ,e!initions ' to )
3 -esure-ent too+6 ,e!initions ) to #7
3 ,e!inition b0 its using6 ,e!initions #7 to 2#
The sentine+ ,e!inition 1bsen&e or presen&e4 is +so -esure-ent too+7 but si-p+i!ie, one* Most
o! the ,e!initions &onsi,er n in,i&tor s -esure-ent too+7 but so-e ,e!initions ,,
&onsi,ertions bout the use o! su&h -esure-ent too+6 ,r$ ttention7 Bunti!0 obIe&ti.es7 use b0
,e&ision -kers7 he+p -ngers7 -esure progress*
The ke0 notion is representation* An in,i&tor hs to represent so-ething in n ,eBute $0* At
the s-e ti-e it hs to ++o$ si-p+i!i&tion &o-pre, to !u++ representtion7 other $0s there is no
point to n in,i&tor* Representtion ne&essri+0 in.o+.es three e+e-entsK the thing being
represente,K the thing representing it 1the in,i&tor4 n, the usge ,o-in 1the entit0 !or $ho- the
representtion hs to be .+i,K &&eptb+e4
"e propose to ,istinguish &+er+0 the t$o !ie+,s o! thought6 the &hr&teristi&s o! the -esure-ent
too+s7 n, the &hr&teristi&s o! the uses* ;oth h.e to be present ho$e.er7 in or,er the in,i&tors o!
2ST &n be !u++0 &&epte,* The -esure-ent spe&t is !un,-ent+ to n0 in,i&tor7 n, &n be one
strting point* The ,e&ision &onte5t n, use is essenti+ !or in,i&tors to be use, !or &hie.ing
sustinbi+it0 n, sustinb+e trnsport* This &onte5t is <!i+ter= !or pure+0 -esure-ent bse,
in,i&tors*
/n su--r0 the !o++o$ing si-p+e ,e!initions &n be propose, @proposalA6
Functionalities of indicators and role of contet !" # $% ( ? #0
'n indicator is a variable( based on measurements( representin& as accurately as possible and
necessary a phenomenon of interest to human bein&s)
'n environmental impact indicator is a variable based on measurements( representin& an impact of
human activity on the environment( as accurately as possible and necessary)
'n indicator of environmentally sustainable transport is a variable( based on measurements(
representin& potential or actual impacts on the environment( or factors that may cause such
impacts( due to transport systems( flows or policies( as accurately as possible and necessary)
2. Characteristics of the indicators as measurement tools
The <&onte5t= o! in,i&tors &n be un,erstoo, in t$o entire+0 ,i!!erent $0s6
4 s the ph0si&+ &onte5t 1the spe&i!i& ph0si&+ &hr&teristi&s o! the surroun,ings4 in $hi&h the
prti&u+r i-p&t is -esure,
b4 s the &onte5t o! use n, ,e&ision -kingK the purpose n, i- o! using &ertin in,i&tors 1e*g
!or p+nning7 .eri!i&tion7 &ontro+7 in!or-tion et&4
/n this se&tion $e ,,ress the ph0si&+ &onte5t n, ho$ it shou+, tken into &&ount* /n se&tion ' $e
,,ress the &onte5t o! purpose n, use*
T$o Buestions re essenti+ to ,e!ine the &hr&teristi&s o! the in,i&tors s -esure-ent too+s6
"ht to -esureN An, ho$ to -esureN
2.1. What to measure?
An in,i&tor7 s -esure-ent too+7 is ,esigne, to -esure so-ething* "ht it shou+, -esure hs
to be &+er+0 n, pre&ise+0 ,e!ine,* An en.iron-ent+ in,i&tor is too+ to -esure the i-p&ts
upon the en.iron-ent 1or gi.en i-p&t4 o! n &ti.it0* There!ore6
3 The i-p&ts upon the en.iron-ent &onsi,ere, h.e to be ,e!ine,6 /t &ou+, be the greenhouse
e!!e&t ? the g+ob+ $r-ing 1or .erge te-perture in&rese4 ? the .erge &on&entrtion o! gs
in the t-osphere7 the nu-ber o! spe&ies +ost ? the bio,i.ersit07 the noise +e.e+ ? the nu-ber o!
peop+e e5pose, t -ore thn )( ,;A ? the i-p&t o! noise on hu-ns7 or the i-p&ts on the
en.iron-ent &onsi,ere, s $ho+e*** A++ these i-p&ts re ,i!!erent ones n, -ust be
,istinguishe,*
/n the !ie+, o! the i-p&ts on the en.iron-ent7 ,es&ribing the &hin o! &us+ities !ro- initi+
&use to !in+ i-p&t is essenti+ to &+ri!0 $ht7 pre&ise+07 the in,i&tor is -esuring* :or
instn&e !or the greenhouse e!!e&t7 &hin o! &us+ities -0 in&+u,e the !o++o$ing steps6
trnsport ,e-n, 3 tr!!i& 3 e-issions 3 ,ispersion O &he-i&+ trns!or-tion o! po++utnts 3
eBui+ibriu- $ith sinks 3 greenhouse e!!e&t 3 &+i-te &hnge 3 +o&+ te-perture n, hu-i,it07 se
+e.e+ &hnges 3 ,isppern&e or -o,i!i&tion o! e&os0ste-s 1in&+* hu-ns4 3 e!!e&ts on the
e&os0ste-s n, hu-ns 1he+th7 e&ono-07 interntion+ tensionsC4*
:or e&h step in the &hin there -0 be uniBue in,i&tor tht best represents this step* /n so-e
&ses -esures o! one step &ou+, ser.e s in,i&tor !or the pre.ious or !o++o$ing steps7
espe&i++0 $hen n in,i&tor is use, !or e.+ution 1n, not to -esure so-ething e5isting7 s
the noise +e.e+ in gi.en +o&tion46 see the se&tion PHo$ to -esureNP*
3 The &ti.it0 hs to be ,e!ine,6 /n the !ie+, o! trnsport7 n &ti.it0 &ou+, be proIe&t 1 !uture
-otor$047 p+n 1region+ p+n o! ir prote&tion47 po+i&0 1trnsport po+i&0 o! the present
Ger-n go.ern-ent47 n &tion 1rep+&e 2 tr!!i& +nes b0 bus +ne in gi.en street47
te&hno+og0 1h0bri, pssenger &rs4* A prti&u+r -esure-ent too+ -0 be ,esigne, !or so-e
&ti.ities but not ne&essri+0 ++* :or instn&e7 the noise eBui.+ent +e.e+ D032.ening3Night 9
D2N
is n in,i&tor o! the nno0n&e7 bse, on $eighte, &ousti& energ0 +e.e+ 9eB !or the ' perio,s*
Functionalities of indicators and role of contet !" # $% ) ? #0
;ut 9eB n, then 9
D2N
re not ,pte, to short n, high noise +e.e+ s TGQ or ir&r!t noise
1.er0 +o$ 9eB7 high ,is&o-!ort46 9eB n, 9
D2N
re not uni.ers+ noise in,i&tors7 but ro, tr!!i&
noise in,i&tors* Ne.erthe+ess7 it is pre!erb+e tht n in,i&tor &n be pp+ie, to n0 &ti.it0 1or
trnsport &ti.it0 $ithin the %OST &tion4K /! not7 the +i-ite, pp+i&tion !ie+, -ust be gi.en
e5p+i&it+07 s !or the road traffic noise in,i&tor*
2.2. o! to measure?
An in,i&tor shou+, ns$er !irst+0 the reBuire-ents o! n0 -esure-ent too+6 representti.it0 o!
$ht it -esures 1t the best7 proportion+it047 &&ur&0* The best in,i&tor $ou+, gi.e the e5&t n,
pre&ise +e.e+ o! the i-p&t o! the stu,ie, &ti.it0 on the en.iron-ent*
The &onte5t7 un,erstoo, here s the +o&+ ph0si&+ &hr&teristi&s7 &n p+0 n i-portnt ro+e in the
i-p&t on the en.iron-ent* 25-p+es in&+u,e the perio, o! the sour&e 1,07 night7 0er47 the
position o! the sour&e 1+titu,e7 urbn?rur+47 the initi+ stte o! the en.iron-ent 1ir Bu+it07 $ter
Bu+it07 Bu+it0?he+th o! the e&os0ste-s47 n, the nu-ber n, t0pes o! trgets* :or instn&e the t0pe
n, pre&ise +o&tion o! the popu+tion7 or the shpe o! the +i.ing Burters $i++ p+0 n ob.ious ro+e
in the pre&ise nno0n&e +e.e+ ,ue to noise e-itte, b0 gi.en street upon the popu+tion o! the
re* The i-p&ts on the +o&+ e&os0ste-s o! potenti+ in!rstru&ture ,epen, on the pre&ise
,es&ription o! the +o&+ e&os0ste- 1$hi&h ni-+s7 $hi&h p+ntsC4*
To -esure pre&ise+0 su&h i-p&ts7 se.er+ possibi+ities e5ist6
1A4 The !u++ -o,e++ing o! the &hin o! &us+ities is the -ost &&urte $07 but it is &o-p+e5 n,
e5pensi.e7 !r !ro- the si-p+i&it0 o! the in,i&tor ppro&h*
1;4 /! the i-p&t ,oes not ,epen, on the geogrphi&+ or te-por+ sour&e &hr&teristi&s7 the
ph0si&+ &onte5t ,oes not nee, to be tken into &&ount* This is to +rge e5tent the &se !or the
g+ob+ i-p&ts 1greenhouse7 oFone ,ep+etion7 non rene$b+e energ0 useC4*
1%4 To bui+, si-p+e !un&tion tking into &&ount so-e +o&+ ph0si&+ &hr&teristi&s through
si-p+e pr-eters 1s ,ensit0 o! popu+tion7 height o! the Burters4* So-e &onte5tu+ e+e-ents
re input pr-eters o! the in,i&tor7 but the s-e in,i&tor &n bsi&++0 be pp+ie, !or n0
&onte5t* /n,i&tor % R !1&hin o! &us+ities7 en.iron-ent &hr&teristi&s4*
1D4 2.en i! the $eight o! the &onte5t is i-portnt7 non &onte5t3,epen,nt in,i&tors &n be use, to
be representti.e o! .erge i-p&ts* :or instn&e7 +though $e kno$ tht the +o&+ ,ri.ing
&on,itions p+0 +rge ro+e in the e-issions o! t-ospheri& po++utnts7 n .erge g+ob+
2uropen e-ission !&tor per .eh*k- !or &rs &n be use, to e.+ute the e-ission in gi.en
to$n &entre street* ;ut ,i!!erent +e.e+s o! .erging &n be use,6 it is possib+e to ,istinguish
so-e t0pes o! &onte5t 1&it0 &entre?suburbs?rur+?-otor$047 !or instn&e n e-ission !&tor per
.eh*k- !or t0pe o! urbnistion* /n this &se the in,i&tor is not n i-p&t in,i&tor but n
.erge i-p&t in,i&tor* /n,i&tor D R !1&hin o! &us+ities47 but represents g+ob+ i-p&ts or
.erge i-p&ts* The on+0 tking into &&ount o! unit i-p&ts 1&se D4 ,oes not ++o$ to
&o-pre si-i+r proIe&ts in ,i!!erent &onte5ts 1!or instn&e7 the use o! n 2uropen g+ob+
e-ission !&tor ,oes not ++o$ to &o-pre proIe&t o! -otor$0 n, proIe&t o! street in &it0
&entre4*
;7 % n, D re ,i!!erent shpes o! in,i&tors7 s sho$n in the !o++o$ing !igure7 $ith ,i!!erent
&&ur&06
Functionalities of indicators and role of contet !" # $% 7 ? #0
Si-p+i&it0
o!
the in,i&tor
"eight o! the +o&+ &hr&teristi&s in the &hin o! &us+ities
D
unit impact
per veh.km
A
Full modelling of
chain of causalities
C
unit impact per
veh.km, depending
on type of context
Environmental
indicators
Full models,
Not indicators
B
impact not
depending on
geographical /
temporal source
characteristics
accuracy
To be &&urte7 n en.iron-ent+ i-p&t in,i&tor -ust tke into &&ount ++ the spe&ts o! the
&hin o! &us+ities 1so3&++e, en.iron-ent+ spe&ts so-eti-es47 $ith the s-e &&ur&07 n, be
proportion+ to the !in+ i-p&ts* A +rge prt o! the &hin o! &us+ities &n be &onsi,ere, s
&onte5t7 $hen +o&+ pr-eters p+0 n i-portnt ro+e 1ti-e e.o+ution7 present stte o! the
en.iron-ent7 +o&+ trgets7 +o&+ spe&i!i&ities4* A $0 not to &onsi,er the &onte5t is to &+&u+te or
-esure .erge i-p&ts7 $ith ,i!!erent possib+e +e.e+s o! ggregtion 1urbn?rur+7 ,0?night7
hu-ns?e&os0ste-sC4*
3. Characteristics of the indicators from the use point of view
There re ,i!!erent potenti+ users o! en.iron-ent+ i-p&t in,i&tors6
3 s&ientist spe&i+ise, in the i-p&t -esure,6 photo&he-i&+ oFone &retion potenti+ 1HO%H47
use, to &o-pre t-ospheri& situtions
3 s&ientists not spe&i+ise, in this i-p&t6 HO%H use, to &o-pre t$o !ue+s
3 &onsu+tnts6 g+ob+ $r-ing potenti+ G"H7 use, to &o-pre ro, n, ri+ proIe&t
3 ,e&ision -kers6 G"H use, to &o-pre $ith po+i&0 trget
3 &itiFens6 e&o+ogi&+ !ootprint7 use, to &o-pre t$o !ue+s or to ssess the sustinbi+it0 o! the
present trnsport po+i&07 !ue+ &onsu-ption in,i&tor A to 2 to &o-pre 2 .ehi&+es
The obIe&ti.es o! using in,i&tors &n ,epen, on the user 1his or her per&eptions7 interests or
&onne&tions to other users47 n, on the prti&u+r t0pe o! ,e&ision prob+e-7 !or e5-p+e to &hoose
bet$een t$o ro, proIe&ts7 to ,e&i,e the +e.e+ o! n en.iron-ent+ &hrge7 or to &hoose to !+0 or
not* :or so-e users n, ,e&isions si-p+e but &&urte -esure o! en.iron-ent+ &on,itions re
reBuire,* :or other users n, ,e&isions it -0 be i-portnt to use rtio in,i&tors7 ,istn&e3to3trget
in,i&tors7 in,i&tors tht &n be re, $hi+e -o.ing in tr!!i& or sur!ing the $eb7 et&* T$o users -0
.ie$ the s-e in,i&tor ,i!!erent+0 i! the0 h.e ,i!!ering interests or i! the0 re &on&erne, $ith
,i!!erent prob+e-s* /n this $07 <$h0 to -esure= &n in!+uen&e $ht in,i&tor to ,e.e+op or pp+07
ho$ to &onstru&t the -etri&s7 n, $hi&h in,i&tors be&o-e in!+uenti+ in &ertin sitution*
3.1. "b#ectives from the user side$ Why to measure?
:our -in obIe&ti.es &n be ,istinguishe,6
3 To -esure the i-p&t
3 To un,erstn, sitution through so-e Bunti!ib+e pr-eters6 "ht re the -in
&onseBuen&es o! +ternti.es po+i&ies 1noise7 or g+ob+ $r-ing7 or the en.iron-ent is not
-o,i!ie, b0 the po+i&0***4
Functionalities of indicators and role of contet !" # $% 8 ? #0
3 To ,e&i,e the PbestP proIe&t7 p+n7 po+i&07 pro,u&t
3 To rise $reness o! prob+e-s n, to set the gen, !or ,e&ision -king t gener+ +e.e+
/t shou+, be -entione, tht so-e en.iron-ent+ in,i&tors7 su&h s the T2RM s0ste- use, b0 the
22A to -onitor trnsport n, en.iron-ent 1see e*g 22A7 200>47 re not espe&i++0 ,esigne, !or
,e&ision -king7 s the0 re nu-erous7 not !u++0 &o-prb+e n, o!ten not representti.e o! the
issues the0 inten, to -esure* Ho$e.er7 the0 -0 sti++ be use!u+ to rise $reness +e,ing to -ore
,eti+e, po+i&ies $ith -ore ,eti+e, in,i&tors* On the other hn, hour+0 ir Bu+it0 ,t !or
prti&u+r -esuring sttion -0 !or e5-p+e be too ,eti+e, to support ,e&ision on re.ision !ue+
stn,r,s*
So-e &hr&teristi&s o! in,i&tors tht re+te to the so&i+ n, per&eptu+ &onte5t in&+u,e the
trnspren&0 o! -esure-ent n, ,esign -etho,s7 the &&eptn&e b0 the users7 the
un,erstn,bi+it07 interpretbi+it0 1positi.e !un&tion o! the i-p&t7 ,,iti.it07 -ening!u+ness47 n,
the .i+bi+it0 o! truste, input ,t* The per&eption o! so-e in,i&tors= re+e.n&e -0 &hnge o.er
ti-e s users or stkeho+,ers be&o-e -ore !-i+ir $ith the prob+e- or &o-e to un,erstn, other
users ppre&ition o! in,i&tors*
3.2. % tool& as a step of a reasonin'
An0 too+ is on+0 too+ n, &nnot rep+&e the resoning* 2.en $ith high Bu+it0 in,i&tors7 $hen
the user uses non +ogi&+ resoning7 or non ,pte, to his prob+e-7 his &on&+usion is -ening+ess*
:or instn&e6
3 The !&t tht the e-issions o! &ountr0 A -esure, b0 G"H goes up #0 S ,oes not gi.e n0
in,i&tion on the resons o! su&h sitution 1%O
2
e-ission7 ,e!oresttion7 tr&e gssesN4* A
,isggregtion o! G"H is nee,e,7 or in other $or+,s G"H hs not to be pp+ie, to the $ho+e
&ountr0*
3 The !&t tht &ountr0 A hs 20 S +o$er !t+it0 rte in ro, trnsport thn &ountr0 ;7 ,oes
++o$ to propose $ht shou+, be ,one 1-ore setbe+t en!or&e-ent7 +o$er spee,s7 +&oho+
&-pignsN4 Agin ,isggregtion o! !t+it0 nu-ber is nee,e,*
3 Noise -0 be higher in &it07 but urbn &itiFens -0 &&ept -ore thn peop+e !ro- &ountr0 si,e6
The noise +e.e+ e5presse, in ,;7 $hi&h is bse, on n .erge nno0n&e7 ,oes not ++o$ to tke
into &&ount ,i!!erent sensibi+ities* A -ore ,eti+e, in,i&tor is nee,e,*
3 Air Bu+it0 -0 be the s-e in t$o &ities7 but %it0 A hs t$i&e s -n0 &hi+,ren +i.ing in &entr+
res thn %it0 ;6 So&i+ !&tors re i-portnt* A po++utnt &on&entrtion +one is not enough to
e.+ute the he+th i-p&t*
3 %on!i,en&e -0 &hnge o.er ti-e 1+erning4 n, $ith &o-position o! ,e&ision -ker group6
"hen so-e intern+ pr-eters o! the in,i&tor &hnge $ith ti-e7 the in,i&tor &nnot be use,
in,epen,ent+0 o! the ti-e*
The so&i+ n, ,e&ision -king &onte5t is ob.ious+0 .er0 i-portnt !or the use o! the in,i&tor7 s
the per&eption o! prob+e-7 the Buestion7 or the so+ution is &onte5t ,epen,ent* There!ore the
resoning is &onte5t ,epen,nt* /t ,oes not -en tht the in,i&tors use, to -esure hs to ,epen,
on the &onte5t* /t -ens tht the -esure-ent !un&tion is on+0 one ne&essr0 but not su!!i&ient step
in &hoosing the proper in,i&tors* Here re so-e reBuire-ents &on&erning the resoning6
3 Are there potenti+ bis in the ,t or re the0 obIe&ti.eN
3 "ht re the -in e5p+ining pr-eters o! the situtionN "ht is the rgu-enttion or
e5p+ntor0 &hinN
3 /s3it possib+e to trns!or- &orrespon,en&e into &us+it0N
3 Does the in,i&tor -esure re++0 $ht / $ou+, +ikeN Does it re!er to &entr+ spe&ts o! the
prob+e-N
3 /s the in,i&tor pp+i&b+e to the &on,itions stu,ie,N
Functionalities of indicators and role of contet !" # $% 9 ? #0
Summary
There are two types of contet that can influence which are the best or most appropriate indicators
of sustainable transport impacts in each situation*
+ The physical contet( which means that in some cases the impact must be measured with
indicators that reflect unit impacts( or special characteristics of the pressure or the end+point)
,ndicators are more useful or powerful if the can be established independent of contet
+ The social user and decision contet( which means that the acceptance of data( measurement
units or a&&re&ation formats will depend on perceptions( reasonin&( interests( ob-ectives( and
connections of the users)
Sustainable transport indicators should be desi&ned and chosen based on a consideration of the
etent to which the two types of contet needs to be considered) .easurement can in principle be
decided without concern for the social contet( but any policy application must ta/e into account
both aspects)
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