Indicator: Motor vehicle use

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What the results tell us for Tumut

Tumut is reported as having 7656 vehicles, or 689 vehicles per thousand population, compared to a national average of 647 vehicles per thousand population. The vehicle types registered are:

According to RTA records, 46.5% of vehicles registered in Tumut River Shire are using unleaded petrol as their fuel type. This compares with a national figure of 60%.

The estimated average kilometres travelled for 1999 is 10 196 kilometres per vehicle. The Australian average was 14 400 kilometres (Australian Bureau of Statistics Survey of Motor Vehicle Use, Australia - 12 months ended 31 July 1999). The estimated total annual distance travelled within the Shire was 78 million kilometres.

About the data

Sources for the data are:

• The NSW Roads and Traffic Authority;
• Australian Bureau of Statistics Catalogue Number: 9309.0, Motor Vehicle Census; and
• Australian Bureau of Statistics Survey of Motor Vehicle Use, Australia - 12 months ended 31 July 1999.

Accuracy

Data on vehicle kilometres travelled were not able to be easily collected. The calculation for this figure was obtained by using a report from the RTA, the "Vehicle Survey System Annual Average Daily VKT (Vehicle Kilometres Travelled) by Roads Report for 1999". By using the estimated daily VKT and multiplying by 365.25, the annual total was calculated. To obtain the average per vehicle, this figure was the divided by the number of cars reported in the Shire. The data are therefore estimates only.

Description: What does 'motor vehicle use' measure?

Which data are collected?

• number of registered motor vehicles per capita and per household, by engine size and fuel type (unleaded, leaded petrol, diesel, electric, and LPG)
• annual vehicle kilometres travelled

Why do we report this indicator?

Whilst providing an important means of transport, motor vehicles are one of the most significant sources of pollution in many of Australia's main cities, even though emissions from an individual car are low compared to emissions from heavy industry. These emissions can place significant pressure on both ambient air quality and on our quality of life, hence the importance to State of the Environment reporting.

The number of registered vehicles and the type of fuel they use, as well as the annual average distance travelled, provide an indication of the magnitude of these pressures. It also indicates the potential for the community to rely on private motor vehicle as a primary form of transport, if, for example, public transport or other alternatives such as walking are not viable.

Most pollution from cars comes from by-products of the combustion process (exhaust) and from evaporation of the fuel itself. Pollutants can include hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, lead; and some known human carcinogens such as benzene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, 1,3-butadiene and diesel particulate matter.