Air Pollution from Ground Transportation: An Assessment of Causes, Strategies and Tactics, and Proposed Actions for the International Community

Climate Change Clearinghouse2002PDFResearch PaperGorham, RogerUnited Nations. Division for Sustainable DevelopmentGlobal Initiative on Transport EmissionsUnited Nations. Division for Sustainable DevelopmentUnited StatesGround transportationAir pollutionGreenhouse effectGlobal warmingClimate changeEnvironmental impactsAccessibility is a key ingredient of well-being and prosperity in contemporary societies. The ability of individuals, families, entrepreneurs and firms to exchange goods and services, to be where activities are being carried out, and to interact with people on a regular basis is crucial not only to economic life but also to the quality of life. With the growth of economic and social networks over the course of the past two centuries and the spatial dispersion of activities, transportation has become the backbone of accessibility systems. It is also a crucial part of economic growth and social interaction in most countries. Unfortunately, the adverse effects of transportation have a greater impact on the natural and human environment than two other important mechanisms for providing access: proximity and telecommunications. The fossil fuel combustion associated with transportation results in emissions of pollutants that cause damage to human health, agriculture and sensitive ecosystems, and contribute to global climate change. Transportation can also contribute to the degradation of urban environments, with loss of quality of life and economic productivity from the delays and frustration caused by congestion and stress from traffic noise. Changes in the distribution of activities and location of opportunities in response to transportation investments can also contribute to the physical and social isolation of certain vulnerable segments of society, such as the poor, children and the elderly.109