Bronte Wells
The transportation sector is a significant contributor to carbon emissions and air pollution, with the former causing climate change and the latter impacting human health and ecosystems. Public transportation is one of the most effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, as it is more efficient than private vehicles in terms of the number of people transported and the type of fuel used. Cities with more public transportation options can reduce pollution by encouraging people to use these services instead of private cars, especially if the public transport systems are powered by electricity rather than fossil fuels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Public transportation reduces pollution | True |
| Public transportation reduces congestion | True |
| Public transportation is more efficient than private cars | True |
| Public transportation reduces greenhouse gas emissions | True |
| Public transportation improves air quality | True |
| Public transportation reduces traffic accidents | True |
| Public transportation is more affordable for low-income residents | True |
| Public transportation use has declined in some countries | True |
| Electric buses are a cleaner alternative to diesel buses | True |
| Public transportation reduces travel time | True |
What You'll Learn
Electric public transport
China has led the way with approximately 400,000 electric buses, comprising 99% of the global total. The European market for zero-emission buses is also growing, with Germany and Spain at the forefront. The United States has seen increasing adoption, with cities announcing plans to electrify their bus fleets. South American cities like Santiago de Chile and Medellin are also embracing electric buses, with Chile aiming for the world's second-largest electric bus fleet.
The transition to electric public transportation requires careful planning and infrastructure development. Considerations include range limitations, charging station placement, and employee training. Well-planned electric bus routes can transform the urban landscape by reducing noise and pollution, making previously avoided neighbourhoods more desirable.
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Private car emissions
Private cars are a significant contributor to climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions. The transportation sector is responsible for over a fifth of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, with surface-level transportation, such as cars, accounting for approximately 85% of this. Private cars, which typically carry just one or two people, emit about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, depending on the vehicle's fuel, fuel economy, and annual mileage.
In contrast, public transportation is much more efficient in terms of emissions per person. For example, a bus can carry 50 or more people, and a train in a large city may carry thousands, resulting in significantly lower emissions per person compared to private cars.
By switching from a private car to public transportation, an individual can significantly reduce their carbon footprint. For instance, a person who switches from a 20-mile solo commute by car to public transportation can reduce their annual carbon dioxide emissions by 20 pounds per day, or more than 48,000 pounds in a year. This is equivalent to a 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for a typical two-adult, two-car household.
Additionally, public transportation can help reduce congestion, which has economic benefits. In 2011, public transportation use in the US saved 865 million hours in travel time, and congestion costs were estimated to be $21 billion lower than they would have been without public transportation.
Furthermore, cities can improve their public transportation systems to reduce emissions further. For example, they can upgrade trains and buses to run on clean electricity instead of fossil fuels, a more straightforward task than convincing many private car owners to switch to electric vehicles.
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Public transport ridership
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant decline in public transport ridership, with some cities experiencing up to a 90% drop. However, since then, ridership has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels in certain places, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as Indonesia, Mexico, and South Africa. Additionally, some countries, including Colombia, Kenya, and India, have seen ridership surpass pre-pandemic numbers.
To encourage higher ridership, cities can implement several strategies. Upgrading train systems and bus fleets to run on clean electricity instead of fossil fuels is one approach. This not only reduces emissions but also improves air quality and lessens the health risks associated with air pollution. Another strategy is to create a synergy between different transit options, with busy routes served by trains, additional routes covered by buses or bike shares, and commuter rail or high-speed rail connecting cities.
Furthermore, policy choices can play a crucial role in promoting public transport ridership. Congestion pricing, where cars are charged a fee to enter high-traffic areas, can encourage people to opt for public transportation. Additionally, investing in public transportation infrastructure can make it a more convenient and attractive option for commuters, drawing more riders. This, in turn, can lead to a virtuous cycle, where well-trafficked stations attract more businesses and higher property values, generating more tax revenues that can be reinvested into improving public transportation services.
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Congestion pricing
Public transportation is a far more environmentally friendly mode of travel than private cars. Trains and buses emit far fewer greenhouse gases than cars, which are responsible for over a fifth of the world's warming emissions.
One way to encourage the use of public transportation is through congestion pricing. Congestion pricing is a fee levied on vehicles entering busy roads, with the aim of reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality. The use of congestion pricing is growing in cities around the world, including New York, London, Beijing, Seattle, Singapore, Stockholm, and Gothenburg.
The implementation of congestion pricing has been shown to have a number of benefits. Firstly, it reduces traffic congestion and increases traffic speed, making commutes faster and less stressful for drivers. Secondly, it improves air quality and reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, creating a healthier environment for all city residents. Thirdly, it raises much-needed funding for public transit systems, which can be used to improve and expand services. Finally, it can increase tax revenues and property values in the areas where it is implemented.
However, congestion pricing has also faced criticism and political discontent. Some argue that it is unfair to lower-income residents, as it may be an additional financial burden for those who are unable to afford to live closer to their workplaces. There are also questions about how to set tolls and what to do with excess revenues. Despite these concerns, congestion pricing is an effective strategy for reducing traffic and improving the environmental sustainability of cities.
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Fossil fuels
The transportation sector is a significant contributor to carbon pollution, particularly in the United States, where the number of cars and trucks has increased dramatically over the years. This has led to air pollution, especially in cities, with detrimental effects on public health and the environment. However, public transportation offers a more environmentally friendly alternative. By switching from a solo car commute to public transportation, an individual can significantly reduce their carbon dioxide emissions, contributing to a notable decrease in a household's carbon footprint.
Cities with well-developed public transportation systems often experience a virtuous cycle. Well-trafficked stations attract more riders, businesses, and higher property values, leading to increased tax revenues. These additional funds can then be reinvested into the public transportation system, improving its efficiency and accessibility. This positive feedback loop encourages more people to utilize public transportation, further reducing pollution levels in the city.
Additionally, public transportation systems can be powered by electricity rather than fossil fuels, providing a cleaner alternative. Electric buses, for example, emit less than half the carbon of gas-powered private cars per passenger-kilometer traveled. Upgrading train systems and bus fleets to run on clean electricity is a more manageable task than convincing numerous car owners to transition to electric vehicles.
However, it is important to note that the success of public transportation in reducing pollution depends on its convenience and accessibility. People will opt for public transportation when it is the most practical option for their daily commutes. Therefore, cities must invest in infrastructure and take steps to boost ridership to ensure the effectiveness of public transportation in combating pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, cities with more public transportation tend to have less pollution. Public transportation emits fewer greenhouse gases than private cars, as it carries more people at once. Additionally, electric public transportation options, such as trains and electric buses, emit less carbon than gas-powered private cars.
Public transportation is more efficient than private cars because it serves more passengers at once. While cars usually carry one or two people, buses can carry 50 or more, and trains can carry thousands. As a result, a single person switching from a 20-mile solo commute by car to public transportation can reduce their annual CO2 emissions by over 48,000 pounds.
Reducing pollution through increased public transportation use has several benefits. Firstly, it improves air quality and public health, reducing the negative impacts of air pollution on human health and the environment. Additionally, it helps curb climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, it brings social benefits, such as lower traffic fatality rates, more active city residents, and broader access to jobs, education, and urban services.
Public transportation helps reduce traffic congestion. In 2011, public transportation use in the US saved 865 million hours of travel time. Without public transportation, congestion costs in 2011 would have been $21 billion higher across 498 urban areas.
Several cities and countries have successful public transportation systems that have resulted in reduced pollution and improved sustainability. Wealthy countries like Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, and Germany have high public transit use and relatively low greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. Additionally, some low- and middle-income countries, such as Indonesia, Mexico, and South Africa, have seen full recoveries in public transport use after the COVID-19 pandemic, as a significant portion of the population relies on it.
