Development of Lower Carbon Alternatives

Within the transport sector research and innovation is required to develop new products, materials, designs and systems, such as:

• alternatively powered and more fuel efficient vehicles,
• infrastructure that requires less energy to produce and maintain,
• designs that incorporate recycled and secondary materials,
• transport systems that encourage sustainable travel.

TRL's key capabilities to support the development of low carbon alternatives include:

• guidance on funding mechanisms that can be used to support the reduction of carbon emissions from transport,
• promotional and educational campaigns on lower carbon alternatives to support knowledge transfer and implementation,
• assessment of the safety and environmental implications of low carbon vehicles,
• research into the infrastructure requirements for hydrogen powered vehicles,
• training in waste minimisation / management and site waste management plans to support more sustainable construction,
• development of Material Resource Strategies for construction projects,
• transport planning and evaluation of smarter choice measures such as improving cycling and walking facilities,
• cost benefit studies evaluating the economics involved in using low carbon alternatives,
• policy guidance and assessment of the likely impact of transport strategies on emissions.

A few examples of our capabilities in these areas are provided below. Further information on our work can be found in the  alternative fuels and City Blueprints and low carbon vehicles sections of this site.

Assessment of new low carbon products

TRL has been engaged in a number of projects to test the fitness for purpose of new lower carbon products. For example:

• TRL has undertaken a project for the Department for Transport the explore the implications of low noise electric vehicles on pedestrian safety,
• We have carried out trials for the Highways Agency on the durability and performance of pavements incorporating different recycled and secondary materials

Reviewing the policy and legislative framework

Policy and legislation drawn up for traditional systems may present barriers for the introduction of new products and may therefore need to be reviewed and modified. Also new policy and legislative frameworks may be required to encourage the uptake of new lower carbon products.

TRL is reviewing current European legislation for the European Commission to provide recommendations on the completion of EC type-approval requirements for electric vehicles, assess potential risks associated with electric propulsion that are not covered by legislation and provide recommendations on appropriate legislative action if potential risks are identified.

Exploring Lower Carbon Alternatives to Current Transport Systems

TRL led a project on "city blueprints" for Shell that brought together experts from across TRL working alongside relevant Shell experts to address issues associated with sustainable mobility in cities. TRL designed a series of workshops, focussing on a number of key topics including:

• lower emissions from vehicles,
• better use of the car,
• alternatives to the car.

The inter-action and integration of these issues was then evaluated. Further information on the project can be found in the Energy in the Transport Sector areas of this website.