Division 44

Water, Energy, Transport

Sustainable Urban Transport: Avoid-Shift-Improve (A-S-I)

T
he traditional approach applied to deal with
increased transport demand has been the provision
of additional road space by means of new and larger
road infrastructure. This supply-side oriented approach
has however not delivered the expected benefits. Induced
traffic has been created and roads continue to exhibit unac-
ceptable levels of congestion, GHG emissions and other
externalities. For this reason, the traditional approach is
nowadays regarded as obsolete. Therefore, a new approach
to tackling current transport problems is required.
GIZ’s Approach to Sustainable Mobility
Based on the above statement, GIZ has committed itself
to promoting a different approach. Inspired by the prin-
ciples of sustainability, this alternative approach focuses
on the demand-side, as opposed to the previous one. The
approach, known as A-S-I (from Avoid/Reduce, Shift/
Maintain, Improve), seeks to achieve significant GHG
emission reductions, reduced energy consumption, less
congestion, with the final objective to create more live-
able cities. The objective of the A-S-I
approach is to promote alternative
mobility solutions and to develop sus-
tainable transport systems.
Secondly, the “shift” instruments seek to improve trip
efficiency. A modal shift from the most energy consuming
urban transport mode (i.e. cars) towards more environmen-
tally friendly modes is highly desirable. In particular, the
shift towards the following alternative modes:
Non-Motorised Transport (NMT): walking and
„„
cycling. They represent the most environmentally
friendly options.
Public Transport (PT): bus, rail, etc. Although PT also
„„
generates emissions, lower specific energy consumption
per pkm and higher occupancy levels imply that the
associated CO2 emissions per passenger-km are lower
compared to cars.
Thirdly, the “improve” component focuses on vehicle
and fuel efficiency as well as on the optimisation of trans-
port infrastructure. It pursues to improve the energy effi-
ciency of transport modes and related vehicle technology.
Furthermore, the potential of alternative energy use is
acknowledged.
A-S-I APPROACH

The Avoid – Shift – Improve AVOID / REDUCE SHIFT / MAINTAIN IMPROVE

Concept
The A-S-I approach entails three main
avenues:
„„ Avoid/Reduce
Improve the energy
„„ Shift/Maintain Shift to or maintain share
Reduce or avoid efficiency of transport
Improve of more environmentally
„„ the need to travel modes and vehicle
friendly modes
Firstly, “avoid” refers to the need to technology
improve the efficiency of the transport
system. Through integrated land-use System Trip Vehicle
planning and transport demand man- Efficiency Efficiency Efficiency
agement the need to travel and the
trip length may be reduced.
Co-Benefits
The benefits of improving the three afore- Lower
Less noise
energy costs
mentioned dimensions –transport demand,
Better
mode choice and technology– can be sub- Less
road safety &
imported fuel
stantial. The ASI approach has the potential Better Less less accidents
energy security externalities
to contribute to emission reductions beyond
current expectations. Vitalization of public Reduced
Sustainable Less
spaces, better urban air quality and many congestion &
transport health risks
time savings
other important co-benefits can be expected
from the application of the ASI approach. Stronger economic Increased
development quality of life Lower
More
welfare costs
Climate Change: A new agenda local jobs
(hospitals, etc.)
Increased
The A-S-I approach also makes a very private
Better
air quality
important contribution to climate change. It investments
allows developing synergies between mitiga-
tion and adaptation:
„„ Mitigation: It enables decision-makers in developing
countries to develop transport strategies that support The GIZ’s Sourcebook on Sustainable Urban
climate change mitigation by increasing the efficiency of Transport addresses the key areas of a sustainable
transport systems. transport policy
Adaptation: It also helps define the path towards making
Division 44
Environment and Infrastructure

„„
Division 44

framework. The
Environment
Division 44 and Infrastructure
Infrastructure Sector project
Environment and "Transport Policy
Advice" Division
44
Environm
ure ent and
44 Sector Infrastruc
Division t and Infrastruct project ture
"Transpo
Environmen rt Policy
Advice"

transport systems more resilient and to contribute to Sourcebook for

effective disaster risk management. decision-mak- Change Gender and
Urban Transport
Raising Public Awareness
: Smart
about Affordable
andSustainable Urban Transport
Developing Cities
Sustainable
A Sourcebook
Module 1a
Transport:
for Policy-makers

The Role of Transpo

in Developing
Cities
Sustainab
A Sourcebole Transpor
t:

Climate
Module 1e Module ok for
in Transport: A Sourcebook for Policy-makers in Developing Cities 2b Policy-ma
Module 7a ing Cities for Policy-makers
Sustainable
rt
kers in
and Mobility

A successful climate change strategy in transport requires

Develop A Sourcebook Developin

Transport akers in Transport: in Urban Develop g Cities

Sustainable

ers consists of
5e ook for
Policy-m
ment Policy
– revised Managem
Module rt: A Sourceb —revised September
2007— – revised July
2005 – August
2004 – ent
ble Transpo
Sustaina

the adoption of a comprehensive and coherent approach. presently 30 Sector

project Advisory Service
Transport
Policy
Sector project
Transport Policy
Service
Advisory
Transport Policy
Advisory Services

Deutsche
TechnischeGesellscha
Zusammen ft für
arbeit (GTZ)
GmbH

The A-S-I approach is a suitable framework for that. modules.

For more details of the A-S-I approach, please check GIZ’
Free download at: www.sutp.org, www.sutp.cn
Sourcebook for decision-makers in developing cities, Mod-
ule 5e Transport and Climate Change at http://www.sutp.org.

An Example: Shopping 1.  How far do I have to go to buy the good?

A person willing to buy a given commodity and thus with AVOID/REDUCE: By implementing an integrated land
a need to travel faces the following key decisions: use planning policy travel distances to destinations can
be reduced.
Third decision: 2. Which transport mode is
Second decision: Which type of
Which mode of vehicle + use? available to me?
First decision: transport will you
How far do you (have to) use?
SHIFT/MAINTAIN: By encour-
have to go? aging the use of more environ-
Starting point:
A household
? mentally friendly modes, the indi-
requires a wide vidual may regard PT as a suitable
2 km
range of goods, alternative to car for the same trip.
with varying 10 km
frequency. 3.  Which type of vehicle shall I use?
IMPROVE: In the medium/long-
Smart infrastructure
term, the individual may consider
Encourage use of
planning:
non-motorised
Reduce car size reducing the car size or using a
Reduces need for and consider
travelling? and using vehicle powered by alternative fuels.
public transport! alternative fuels!
AVOID/REDUCE
SHIFT IMPROVE Contact
E: transport@giz.de
I: http://www.giz.de/transport

Imprint

Editor:
Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

P. O. Box 5180
65726 ESCHBORN/GERMANY
T +49-6196-79-0
F +49-6196-79-1115
E info@giz.de
I http://www.giz.de