A Review of Strategies to Implement Sustainable Urban Transportation Options in Malaysia

Ladin, Mohd Azizul; Muhammad Das, Amsori; Najah, A.; Ismail, Amiruddin; O.K. Rahmat, Riza Atiq Abdullah · 2014 · Crossref

DOI: 10.11113/jt.v69.3112

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Summary

This review paper examines strategies for implementing sustainable urban transportation in Malaysia, addressing the economic, social, and environmental challenges facing the nation’s transport sector. Motivated by the global shift toward sustainable development since the 1987 Brundtland Commission report, the authors analyze how Malaysia can operationalize sustainable road transportation. The study highlights that Malaysia’s rapid industrialization and economic growth have led to increased motor vehicle ownership, resulting in significant issues such as rising household transportation costs, poor public transport quality, high road accident fatalities, and substantial carbon emissions. The authors argue that conventional transport planning, which focuses on replacing older modes with faster ones, is insufficient. Instead, they advocate for a sustainable approach that balances and optimizes all transport modes. The paper categorizes strategic improvements into three main areas: Non-Motorized Transport (NMT), Public Transport, and Private Vehicles. For NMT, the authors propose providing financial incentives, such as subsidies or reimbursements for bicycle commuters, and integrating bicycles into urban operations, such as police patrols, to reduce vehicle expenses and emissions. Regarding public transport, the review suggests improving system integration to facilitate inter-modal travel and targeting primary user groups, such as students, through special passes and discounts to increase ridership. For private vehicles, which dominate Malaysian road use, the authors recommend promoting alternative fuels like biodiesel blends (e.g., B20) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and implementing Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and enhance safety through real-time data and electronic monitoring. The findings underscore the severity of Malaysia’s transport issues. Economically, transportation expenses have risen to become the third priority in household expenditures, posing a risk of increased poverty if not offset by income growth. Socially, public transport usage is minimal, accounting for only 1.9% of road use in 2008, due to poor service quality, while road accidents remain a critical concern with a fatality rate significantly higher than in developed countries. Environmentally, the transport sector contributes 36% of total energy consumption and is a major source of CO2 emissions. The review identifies specific strategies, such as biodiesel adoption and ITS implementation, as effective methods to mitigate these environmental impacts. The significance of this study lies in its holistic approach to sustainable transport, emphasizing that economic, social, and environmental elements are interconnected and must be addressed simultaneously. The authors conclude that while various strategies exist, their suitability depends on specific local contexts and circumstances. Therefore, further research is needed to verify the most effective strategies for different locations. The paper serves as a foundational review for policymakers and researchers aiming to develop balanced, optimized transportation systems that reduce burdens on disadvantaged populations, improve safety, and lower environmental impacts in rapidly developing nations like Malaysia.

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• urban rural setting