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Tag:

mass transit

Shift to Mass Transit Could Have Major Economic and Climate Benefits

Shift to Mass Transit Could Have Major Economic and Climate Benefits

written by Yale Environment 360

Expanding public transportation and infrastructure that promotes walking and biking throughout the world’s cities could save $100 trillion and cut transportation-related carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2050, according to an analysis by researchers at the University of California, Davis, and the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy.

Urban transportation accounted for roughly one-quarter of all transportation-related emissions in 2010, the report said, and these emissions could double by 2050 as growth continues in major cities in China, India, and other developing countries.

CO2_emissions-600This chart compares projected urban transportation-related emissions in 2050 under two scenarios: “business as usual,” shown in red, and the “high shift” scenario, shown in green. Under the “high shift” scenario, countries make major improvements in urban mass transit and infrastructure that promotes walking and biking. Transportation-related emissions from 2010, in black, are shown for comparison. (Image source: UC-Davis, ITDP)

If China alone were to develop extensive bus rapid transit and commuter transit networks, its predicted transportation-related emissions in 2050 could be cut by 40 percent, the analysis found.

The U.S. — currently the world’s largest contributor to urban transportation-related emissions — is seeing declines in that sector as population growth slows, vehicle fuel efficiency improves, and people drive less. But those emissions cuts could accelerate sharply, to half the levels currently predicted for 2050, if urban mass transit were improved.

Redirecting funds from road construction, parking garages, and other infrastructure elements that encourage car ownership to public transportation would save trillions in public and private dollars, the analysis found.



September 19, 2014 4 comments
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The Changing Paradigm in Personal Transportation

written by Walter Wang

Here’s an article that underscores something I firmly believe: the concept of car ownership, a paradigm of the American lifestyle in the 20th Century, is on its way out. Just as a generation decided it no longer needed a telephone that was hard-connected to a copper wire, an even larger group of people is starting to realize it doesn’t really require a

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May 7, 2013 0 comment
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Fewer People Can Afford New Cars – Is That Necessarily Bad?

written by Walter Wang

As discussed here, the widening divide between rich and poor has meant that new cars are unaffordable for an ever-increasing segment of the American population. At the risk of sounding like Marie Antoinette with her fatal “let them eat cake” remark, new car ownership isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. In fact, I’m among the growing number who

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March 4, 2013 0 comment
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What Does the Decline in Vehicle Miles Traveled Mean?

written by Walter Wang

Here’s an interesting graphic that suggests a phenomenon that my colleague Jeff Siegel calls “peak car” – a definitive decline in the number of vehicle miles traveled in the U.S. Granted, there are numerous factors that come together to push a change like this, and there is no guarantee that the trend will continue.

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January 29, 2013 2 comments
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Another Benefit of Sustainable Transportation: Less Traffic Congestion

written by Walter Wang

Those of us who live near major cities spend a great deal of time stuck in traffic, when we’re unfortunately enough to be forced to drive at rush-hour, or encounter some special circumstance like an accident. I’m sure many of us, in addition to the frustration we feel, wonder about the nature and cause of heavy traffic and how it may be avoided.

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December 26, 2012 0 comment
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We Need Better Public Transportation — But Can We Afford It?

written by Walter Wang

Here’s an article co-written by environmentalist superstar Bill McKibben that speaks to the need for better public transportation. The authors point out that transportation generally contributes 27% of the total greenhouse gas emissions. Since transportation is 98%+ based on gasoline and diesel, it comes with a huge price tag in terms of not only CO2 but damage

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December 10, 2012 0 comment
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The Lesser Known Benefits of Sustainable Transportation

written by Walter Wang

People across the world are starting to become aware of the importance of reducing their carbon footprint. Most people do simple tasks like turning lights off when leaving a room or not keeping the water running while brushing their teeth. However fewer have taken the step to use sustainable transportation.

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June 12, 2012 0 comment
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High Gas Prices Are Good for Some of Us

written by Walter Wang

To hear politicians, the media or the masses (including myself) talk about it, the current high gas prices mark the end of civilization, the fall of America’s world domination, and I’ll assume the reason for Snooki’s pregnancy too.

But are some industries thriving on high gas prices?

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March 26, 2012 0 comment
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Majority of New Buses Will Use Alternative Fuels by 2015, Report Says

written by Yale Environment 360

More than 50 percent of the 64,000 new transit buses expected to arrive on roadways worldwide by 2015 will be fueled by alternative sources of energy, compared with 28 percent of new bus deliveries in 2010, according to a report by U.S.-based Pike Research.

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May 13, 2011 0 comment
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Planning for the Future

written by Walter Wang

Going forward, how do localities move forward in the 21st Century? While a lot of metro areas depend largely on the traditional mode of transportation–cars to get to and from their destinations. However, what separates traditional metro areas from those of the 21st Century is one of commitment to green and alternative transportation. While some metro

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April 19, 2011 0 comment
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Get Your (Electric) Motor Hummin’

written by ecopolitology

The year is 2015. One million electric vehicles whoosh along America’s highways and the noise is, well, not likely to inspire fist-pumping rock and roll anthems. But if we reach the goal President Obama has set of one million EVs in four years, it’s the start of a quiet revolution that can ultimately free us from Big Oil.

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March 12, 2011 0 comment
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Russia and the World Looks Towards High Speed Rail

written by Justmeans

Hot on the heels of the announcement of Russia’s first ever electric vehicle hybrid another announcement came about the bolstering of Russia’s green transportation systems. According to the announcement that came from Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, the country is preparing to begin serious work towards a high speed rail system. Russia isn’t alone on this plan either. Many

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December 22, 2010 0 comment
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Florida Will Build Nation’s First High-Speed Rail Corridor

written by Crisp Green

As the Obama Administration pushes for high-speed rail networks across the country, Germany’s Siemens has secured a place for its Valero ICE trains in the Sunshine State.

Earlier this month, Siemens presented its vision of U.S. high-speed rail to the people of Florida with the “Future of Florida High-Speed Rail Tour,” a traveling exhibit featuring a full-sized model of the Velaro

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October 19, 2010 2 comments
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High Speed Rail Made in Germany – The InterCity Express

written by

The first stop on the international showcase of high speed rail that I am writing for CleanTechies, will be in Germany. As much as I try to avoid writing in first-person narrative, this topic is quite close to my heart as Germany (where I lived for most of 2002-2003) is where my eyes were opened to how great public transportation can be and how it’s presence or absence severely affects quality of life.

The calamitous state of transportation in the US became apparent when I returned to my old Pennsylvanian home. Being thrust back into the car-dependent nightmare is still the source of much of my angst to this day.

Deutsch: Durch Erfahrung wird man klug.

English: Through experience man becomes clever.

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November 16, 2009 3 comments
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