About The SORT Clearinghouse

Sustainability in local transport has become increasingly important as climate change, urbanisation, urban congestion and concerns about oil supplies have emerged as critical issues for our future. While the world has seen a revolution in mobility through the growth of the motor car this revolution has been far from equal. Inequalities exist in the mobility options available for people in all societies. Those with no or low incomes, young people, older people, people with disabilities and, in many countries, indigenous communities all face disadvantages with transport. Recent research has identified links between lack of transport and poverty. Lack of transport is now recognised as an important factor acting to exclude people from life opportunities.

There is much evidence that these issues are increasing. The scale and costs of travel are growing due to continued urban sprawl, urbanisation, and retirement to car dependent rural, ‘sea’ change and ‘tree’ change settlements. Costs of owning and running cars are increasing in many countries due to ‘oil futures’ concerns and continued pressure on world supplies. Some low income families are ‘forced’ to own cars due to lack of available alternatives to travel. Increasing travel costs further marginalises these groups.

The SORT Clearinghouse aims to increase awareness of social issues in transport by making it easier to access research in this area. Its rationale is to assist in improving knowledge in this field so as to improve our ability to address the issues identified.

The SORT Clearinghouse is operated by the Institute of Transport Studies at Monash University. It was funded by a grant from the Victorian State Government in Australia in association with Monash University.

The SORT Clearinghouse was developed through a subcommittee of the Transport and Social Inclusion Committee (called TASIC). This is a group of concerned transport and social researchers and policy makers based in Melbourne, Australia. TASIC have sought to address transport needs by raising the community awareness of these issues and in promoting understanding and knowledge development in the field. TASIC comprises members from the Institute of Transport Studies, Monash University, the Victorian State Government, the Bus Association of Victoria, the Victorian Council of Social Service, the Brotherhood of St Laurence, the Victorian Community Transport Association and the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria.

TASIC have actively supported new research in this field and hold an annual conference including international researchers. In addition TASIC runs regular free research seminars including presentations on research and practice related to transport and social disadvantage.

While the genesis of the SORT Clearinghouse has been in Australia, its focus is to assist researchers in all countries to address the problem of transport and social exclusion.