Modeling the Environmental Benefits of Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Transportation Demand Policies

Mobility and energy use in the transportation sector -cars, trucks, trains and planes -is a major source of air pollution. Air pollutant emissions from cars and trucks are particularly problematic because they occur near the ground, often in densely in populated areas. For example, they contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, a problem in urban areas in various regions of the country. Fine particulates, primarily from diesel trucks and buses, are especially problematic. These pollutants cause health problems such as chronic bronchitis, asthma attacks, acute respiratory symptoms, restricted activity days, and increased mortality. They can also decrease visibility, degrade visual aesthetics of urban areas, and have a variety of ecological impacts and could reduce agricultural output in affected areas. Also emitted are a variety of toxic substances understood to be cancer precursors. Finally, emissions of greenhouse gases from transportation contribute to climate change. Thus, local health, amenity and environmental benefits can be seen as cobenefits of climate change policy, while greenhouse gas reductions can be co-benefits of policies to reduce pollution from urban transportation.