Sustainability in Healthcare

Sustainable & active transport

Page content: Benefits of sustainable & active transport | Reducing transport-related environmental impacts | Travelsmart | Encouraging cycle-friendly workplaces | Sustainable transport in Capital Works

Transport choices impact our health and the health of our environment.

In Australia it is estimated that in a single year, air pollution from motor vehicles causes between 900 and 2,000 early deaths and between 900 and 4,500 cases of bronchitis, cardiovascular and respiratory disease, costing between $1.5 and $3.8 billion.

A recent ecological footprint pilot found that 11 per cent of the Victorian public health portfolio's environmental impact is linked to transport. The NHS in the UK undertook a similar study which showed that five per cent of all vehicle trips in England are related to NHS transport, which is responsible for 18 per cent of the NHS carbon footprint.

Reducing car usage in favour of sustainable forms of transport improves the health of both humans and the environment.

Sustainable modes of transport include:

• walking
• cycling
• public transport and
• carpooling.

Teleworking also reduces the need for travel.

Benefits of sustainable & active transport

There are many benefits to reducing car use in favour of sustainable forms of transport, which can deliver improved environmental outcomes, improved health outcomes and a reduction in cost.

The benefits include:

• reducing transport-emissions such as local pollution and greenhouse gases
• providing a more pleasant environment around the hospital and increasing the walkability of an area
• promoting a healthy workplace and workforce
• reducing local health impacts from vehicle emissions
• attracting staff
• reducing car parking demand and associated costs
• reducing social inequalities in regards to access to health services
• better health outcomes for people using active transport (for example walking, cycling, public transport) through increased physical activity
• greater social connectedness for participants
• improved neighbourhood liveability by reduced local traffic impacts
• reductions in health impacts related to air pollution
• reduced costs for staff, patients, and visitors.

Reducing transport-related environmental impacts

There are a number of actions organisations can take to reduce their travel related environmental impacts.

For work-related travel:

• participate in a TravelSmart or other travel-demand strategy program
• promote and encourage the use of video conferencing
• promote and encourage the use of public transport, walking and cycling (for example by providing easy access to tickets, maps and information about public transport, cycling and walking options)
• provide a bicycle pool and end of trip facilities
• review the vehicle mix of fleet cars (for example LPG, hybrid, four-cylinder)
• offset vehicle carbon emissions
• encourage staff to use fuel-efficient cars for medium distance travel
• promote driving techniques that reduce fuel use
• work collaboratively with staff to identify and address barriers to sustainable transport.

For commuting, encourage and support staff by:

• participating in a Travelsmart or other travel-demand strategy program
• becoming a cycle-friendly workplace
• providing information on sustainable transport options
• providing discounted transport tickets through Commuter Club
• encouraging walking where feasible
• provide rewards and incentives for people using sustainable forms of transport
• take part in sustainable transport events, such as Ride to Work Day and Walktober
• work collaboratively with staff to identify and address barriers to sustainable transport.

For patients and visitors:

• provide and prioritise information to patients and visitors on sustainable transport options when sending out appointments and via the health service website
• provide services locally where possible, including telemedicine if clinical practices make this possible
• work collaboratively with patients and staff to identify and address barriers to sustainable transport.

For suppliers:

• work with suppliers to consolidate deliveries where possible
• ask suppliers about their environmental practices relating to transport when tendering.

Travelsmart

Travelsmart is a Victorian Government behaviour-change program that helps people reduce their car dependency and choose sustainable travel alternatives such as cycling, walking or catching public transport.

Travel planning programs work collaboratively with a community (such as a workplaces, hospitals, schools et cetera) to understand how and why people travel, and the barriers to sustainable transport. They then develop actions to address transport needs.

Encouraging cycle-friendly workplaces

Encouraging staff to cycle improves staff health, reduces impact on the environment and can provide a number of financial benefits including:

• healthier staff—fewer sick days
• improved morale and staff productivity
• reductions in carparking demand.

Bicycle Victoria has produced a guide to help workplaces to be more cycle friendly.

Sustainable transport in Capital Works

The department's sustainability guidelines include standard practice items for sustainable transport for more information.