THE DEFINITIVE TRUCKING SITE

April 2010

Researchers at the University of York in the United Kingdom are co-ordinating an international drive to enable the implementation of sustainable transport policies in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Transport and Environment Science Technology (TEST) Network is led by the University of York's Stockholm Environment Institute and the European branch of the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, based in Germany.

The network involves universities from six African countries, UNHabitat, and the International Forum for Rural Transport and Development (IFRTD). It is funded by the EC African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) Science and Technology Programme.

The three-year capacity building project will strengthen networking, share knowledge, and enhance research capacity on transport and environment science and technological issues.

African partners include the Centre for Transport Studies, University of Cape Town (UCT), Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (Mozambique), Ardhi University (Tanzania), Makerere University (Uganda), the University of Zimbabwe and the University of Zambia.

The Network's inaugural meeting at the University of Cape Town in February this year agreed a programme of activities including an assessment of research capacity and benchmarking good transport practice. The Network will also develop a knowledge data base on transport and environment issues, as well as holding national stakeholder meetings, seminars and training programmes.

The programme of activities will culminate in a UN Regional Policy Dialogue on Transport and Environment Science and Technology at UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi in 2012.

Dr Gary Haq, TEST Network coordinator, said: "Millions of African citizens live out their daily lives in conditions that contribute to ill health, poverty and lack of opportunity. Transport policies that deliver sustainable cities, healthy citizens, development and poverty eradication are urgently needed.

"The Network is a major new initiative bringing together African researchers, international organisations and University of York academics. We aim to mount a determined effort to improve air quality, reduce death and injury on the roads, reduce greenhouse gases and widen opportunity and accessibility for all, but especially those on very low incomes. We are excited at the prospect of taking part in such an important project."

Source: University of York.