We are all aware of the impact that the transport sector has on both the environment and health. Since 1990, a lot of progress has been made in reducing air pollution generated by this activity sector. However, many cities are still confronted with challenges as regards pollution limits and road transport has the highest share in CO2 emissions and significantly influences air quality. When using our own vehicle, we don’t actually think about pollution, traffic congestion or risks, these being external factors of the transport system caused by users, but not paid by users, which means that the price for an automotive vehicle is smaller than it should be, competitiveness between modes is distorted and road traffic is increasing.
Total external costs for 2008 for the 27 European countries included here have been estimated at EUR 510 Billion, excluding congestion. Adding congestion in, the costs amount to EUR 660-760 Billion, depending on whether low or high congestion values are used.
Accidents, congestion, climate change and air pollution represent 86% of total costs. According to the results of the report “External Costs of Transport in Europe”, conducted by a team of independent consultants made of CE Delft, INFRAS and ISI, railway transport has serious advantages as regards the social and environment impact of the different transport modes, the value of external costs resulted from road and air transport for passenger/km being four times higher than in railway transport.
Climate change and air pollution contri-butes by 29% and 10% respectively to total costs (the most important category is accident costs – 44% of total costs), road transport is responsible for a dramatic share of external costs of 93%, air transport for 5% and railway transport of 2%. More than three quarters of total costs are generated by passenger transport, external costs per capita (in EU27) being estimated at around EUR 1,000/year.
Air pollution due to transport emissions in the EU27 plus Norway and Switzerland caused total costs of more than EUR 53 Million in 2008. Almost 95% of the costs can be attributed to road transport. “Looking at road transport, passenger cars are the main reason of air pollution costs. They are responsible for 50% of the total costs. Emissions of heavy duty vehicles (HDV) cause 24% of the total costs, and light vehicles (LDV) 11%”, the study shows.
The average costs of air pollution are highest for road transport. In passenger transport, the average costs of road transport are EUR 5.7 per 1,000 pkm, whereas the costs of rail transport are more than two times lower (EUR 2.6 per 1,000 pkm).
According to the European Environment Agency, “in urban regions, passenger transport can account for a significant share of emission cuts by around 88%”, in conformity with the objectives proposed by EU for 2050. In this context, at both European and national level, the decision makers should adopt urgent measures for shifting traffic to railways, even if the implementation of strict measures means changing the lifestyle.
Share on:
