Chapter 10

• Dominant environmental impacts per mode of transportation

  • Biodiversity loss
  • Air pollution
  • Noise pollution
• Developed economies, such as those in Northern America and Europe, have historically been the largest emitters of CO2 from transportation activities
• Factors driving environmental awareness include rapid population growth, industrialization, and increased consumption levels
• Environmental impacts can have detrimental effects on ecosystems and human health
• Climate change has been a prominent topic on the international agenda since the 1990s
• Transport emits CO2 primarily due to the combustion of fossil fuels in internal combustion engines of vehicles like cars, vans, lorries, ships, and planes
• Northern America and Europe have historically been the largest emitters of greenhouse gases from transport since 1900
• Transportation is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2)
• CO2 emissions from transportation have gained attention in recent decades due to growing concerns about climate change
• In Europe, greenhouse gas emissions from transport have been increasing historically, but projections show downward trends
• Oil has been the dominant transport fuel due to its high energy content and affordability, leading to high emissions from vehicles
• This chapter primarily focuses on the climate change impacts associated with road transportation, as well as air and noise pollution
• Personal vehicle use, including the increase in v
• Road transport, international shipping, and aviation are the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector
• Influential reports like "The Limits to Growth" emphasized the need for sustainable practices and highlighted ecological footprints
• Trends in CO2 emissions and fuel use in road transport are influenced by factors such as the number of vehicles on the road, distances driven, fuel prices, tax policies, land use, and fuel economy of vehicles
• Transportation systems have a wide range of environmental impacts

  1. Biodiversity loss

  2. Air pollution

  3. Noise pollution
• Environmental awareness in the transportation sector has grown significantly since the late 1960s
• Current projections show a promising downward trajectory in emissions from transport in Europe
• The European Environment Agency (EEA) predicts a significant decrease in emissions from transport by mid-century
• Non-exhaust air pollution, originating from sources like braking, tire wear, and road surface wear, is often overlooked compared to exhaust air pollution
• Global regulations for these pollutants vary, with some emissions remaining unregulated
• Factors influencing trends in CO2 emissions and fuel use in road transport


  • Number of vehicles on the road
  • Distances driven
  • Fuel prices
  • Tax policies
  • Land use
  • Fuel economy of vehicles
• Exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 is particularly harmful, causing inflammation-related health issues
• Non-exhaust emissions, originating from sources such as tire and brake wear, significantly contribute to PM levels in urban areas, posing health risks to residents
• PM inhalation has severe health impacts, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, leading to premature deaths
• Other pollutants produced by transportation activities

  • Particulate matter (PM)
  • Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
  • Noise
• Effective mitigation strategies should consider both exhaust and non-exhaust emissions, as well as noise pollution, to safeguard environmental quality and public health
• Secondary PM Formation

  1. Non-exhaust emissions primarily contribute to secondary inorganic aerosols, formed through atmospheric chemical reactions

  2. Modeling secondary PM emissions is challenging due to chemical differences between exhaust and non-exhaust emissions
• Noise pollution from traffic has been linked to adverse health outcomes and quality of life concerns, particularly in densely populated urban areas
• Types of pollution in the transportation sector

  • Particulate matter (PM)
  • Nitrogen oxide (NOx)
  • Carbon monoxide (CO)
  • Noise
• Addressing the environmental impacts of transportation requires a multifaceted approach, involving collaboration between policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the public
• Policy Recommendations

  1. There is a need for clear global standards regulating both exhaust and non-exhaust emissions

  2. Encouraging weight reduction of vehicles could help reduce emissions, especially PM emissions
• Other pollutants emitted by the transportation sector

  • NOx
  • CO
  • SO2
  • O3
• Personal vehicle use, including the increase in vehicle size, has hindered the decarbonization of global transport activity
• Noise Pollution


  1. Noise pollution originates from engine and tire-road contact, is another concern in urban areas

  2. Studies show a correlation between lower socioeconomic status and increased exposure to noise pollution
• Particulate Matter (PM)


  1. Traffic is a major contributor to PM emissions in urban areas, originating from both exhaust and non-exhaust sources such as tire and brake wear

  2. PM2.5 and PM10 refer to particulate matter fractions, with sizes smaller than 2.5 and 10 micrometers, respectively

  3. Non-exhaust emissions, which increase with vehicle weight, already account for a significant portion of PM emissions from road traffic