Liam Butler interviews Emeritus Professor Chris Kissling

Liam Butler interviews Emeritus Professor Chris Kissling.

28 November 2014

Liam Butler

Dr Kissling was the Foundation Professor of Transport Studies, at Lincoln University and appointed an Emeritus Professor in 2010.

Professionally, Professor Kissling has been Chairman of the Council of The Chartered Institute of Transport in New Zealand, and was recipient in 2003 of the Norman Spencer Memorial Award for outstanding service to the institute and the industry. He also received the New Zealand Geographical Society's Presidents Award in 2009 for Teaching Excellence. He has recently presented on Transport Components in Christchurch Earthquake recovery...

www.lucas-associates.co.nz/christchurch-banks-peninsula/renew-our-city-roc/dr-chris-kissling/

Question One

Chris you have applied your Transport Logistics Expertise to develop ways forward for Christchurch Transportation. You suggest that less dependence on vehicles is prudent. How can this be a good thing for older people?

Older people need transport. The older they become, the more likely they will need others to provide the transport for them. Subsidised taxis (a targeted means of assistance, can provide door-to-door services without need of intermodal transfers - but how to keep it affordable is an issue. Reduced dependence upon vehicles refers I think mainly to private vehicles and transfer to using Public Transport that includes buses, trains and taxis / shuttles.

As couples age, there comes a time when their second car is relinquished, but the big question becomes, whose - His or Hers? By the time the second car is relinquished, with well managed finances, the proceeds from the sale of a vehicle may pay for many taxi rides if the money is sequestered for that purpose. Abandoning the car and reverting to riding a bicycle as in one's youth is not a good idea for many elderly as the required skill, once second nature, is severely downgraded and riding bicycles in modern urban traffic conditions is hazardous.

Question Two

The Christchurch CBD is experiencing dust and noise pollution like cities around the world that experience significant traffic congestion. Do you have any tips for the Council as to how to make everyday life a bit calmer?

Calming traffic is an essential component of liveable inner cities. The closer to the CBD or suburban shopping precinct, the slower the motorised traffic must be by law and through good design that creates the sense that pedestrians have priority. It takes a mind-shift to achieve this but more people can enjoy the amenities if it is achieved. Intersections that give pedestrians a fair slice of signal time are required. Where streets are shared by traffic (cars / bicycles) with differing speed capabilities, some form of separation is needed. But, streets without kerbs and separated footpaths, and rumble road surfaces, send signals that the slowest are favoured without barring vehicles from entering such precincts for access purposes including goods deliveries. Trams and pedestrians can share street space but do not expect a quick ride on the tram as the operator must constantly be on the look out for pedestrians.

Question Three

I lost this question when correcting my answer but I think it looked to how NZ can make its transportation system better in a way that older people can benefit?

A transport system that is designed to cater for those with impaired mobility will improve mobility for everyone. As we go through life, we all experience impairments of some sort or another that temporarily limit what we can do and in some cases permanently limit our options. Ageing is just one position on a spectrum of mobility frustrations. Therefore, have architects design doors that are not too heavy and circular doors that will not threaten to slice the non-nimble or those encumbered with push chairs or walking frames. Grandiose flights of steps may look OK but requiring entry to buildings via back doors past the rubbish bins for those needing to use wheeled chairs is not going to win design awards. Turnstiles are another obstacle. It is at this local access level that big improvements of considerable benefit for those with mobility challenges can be achieved. In the post-earthquake Christchurch rebuild there should be no instances of treating mobility impaired persons as second class citizens.

A bit more about Chris Kissling...

Chris guided the introduction of the first undergraduate degree in New Zealand specializing in Transport and Logistics - the BCom(T&L), as well as Lincoln's Masters program in Applied Science, MApplSc(Tpt Stud) and Master of Professional Studies MProfStud(TptMgt)

He has held academic positions at the University of Canterbury, University of British Columbia, Australian National University, and Lincoln University. He has worked for the OECD in Paris. He has consulted to UNESCAP, ICAO, APEC Transportation Working Group, New Zealand Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (NZPECC), and various governments. He is a Council member of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies (EASTS).

His most recent book co-authored with Professor Emeritus John Tiffin (Victoria University Wellington) titled Transport Communications: Understanding Global Networks Enabling Transport Services, was published in 2007 by Kogan Page Ltd. This book opens a new field of study

Following his retirement from Lincoln University at the end of 2009, he has continued research and consultancy work for clients in NZ and overseas in the field of multimodal transport systems planning and analysis.

Professor Kissling is married with a grown up family strategically scattered overseas encouraging further travel to keep updated with developments in transport.

ends

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