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Vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) by road

Road transport is the dominant mode of transportation in New Zealand. It is responsible for over 90 per cent of our national transport-related greenhouse gas emissions and 67 per cent of our national freight movement.

Road transport is a vital link that brings people and goods together across New Zealand. We rely on it to get to work, and to access educational, social and recreational activities. Road transport also connects suppliers to markets and helps showcase our natural environment through tourism.

We have a widely distributed population due to our topography and sprawling urban centres, which both contribute to a greater reliance on road transport.

Environmental indicator

The pressure road transport places on the environment is assessed by measuring the distance travelled (also known as vehicle kilometres travelled, or VKT) by motorised vehicles on New Zealand roads. VKT is a widely used international proxy for the pressures of road transport on the environment and human health.

To report on VKT, the following variables are measured or estimated:

By understanding the total distance travelled on New Zealand roads, the types of vehicles we use, their age, fuel type and how intensively we are using our road transport, we can learn more about the scale and type of pressure road transport is placing on the environment. Note: 2007 data is the latest full-year data available.

Did you know?

  • Road transport produces exhaust gases and fine particles that can affect human health by irritating eyes, throat, lungs and aggravating respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis.
  • Fine particles in the air (also known as particulates) are the air pollutants that pose the greatest threat to human health.
  • Exposure to particulates from vehicles contributes to approximately 400 premature deaths in New Zealand a year.
  • Each year in New Zealand, traffic-related air pollution is a contributing factor in a similar number of deaths as road accidents.
  • While motorised road transport provides many economic and social benefits, it also has an environmental impact. Approximately 16 per cent of New Zealand’s total greenhouse gas emissions come from road transport.
  • Waterways can be affected by contaminated run-off from roads, and wastes such as used oil, batteries and tyres have an impact on our environment.

 

Limitations of the road transport indicator

 

This information has come from the environmental report card on vehicle kilometres travelled by road.

Last updated: March 2009