Environment

An improvement on the end-of-life of High-speed rail rolling stocks considering CFRP composite material replacement

Rungskunroch, Panrawee
Kaewunreuen, Sakdirat
Shen, Zuo-Jun
2019

It is undeniably true that transportation systems positively impact human life but, the use of transportation systems also emits green house gasses in the environment which leads to global warming. In this day and age, various technologies are being combined with transportation systems, aimed at reducing the global impact of greenhouse gas emissions. The high-speed rail (HSR), which is well-known for low CO2emissions, has continually been improved, especially its model. In this study, the material replacement method is taken to account for a feasibility study on the next model of the HSR....

Impacts of Shared Mobility

Shaheen, Susan, PhD
Cohen, Adam
2018

Shared mobility modes have reported a number of environmental, social, and transportation-related impacts. Several studies have documented the reduction of vehicle usage, ownership, and vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Cost savings and convenience are frequently cited as popular reasons for shifting to a shared mode. Shared modes can also extend the catchment area of public transit, potentially playing a pivotal role in bridging gaps in existing transportation networks and encouraging multi-modality by addressing the first-and-last mile issue related to public transit access (1). Shared...

Shared Mobility Policies for California

Shaheen, Susan, PhD
Cohen, Adam
2018

In recent years, economic, environmental, and social forces have quickly given rise to the “sharing economy,” a collective of entrepreneurs and consumers leveraging technology to share resources, save money, and generate capital. Shared mobility—the shared use of a vehicle, bicycle, or other low-speed travel mode—is an innovative transportation strategy that enables users to have short-term access to a transportation mode on an as-needed basis. Business-to-consumer services, such as Zipcar and car2go, and peer-to-peer carsharing and shared ride services, such as Getaround, Turo, Lyft, and...

User Acceptance and Public Perception Regarding Automated Driving Systems

Motamedi, Sanaz
Wang, Pei
Chan, Ching-Yao
2018

Fully Automated Driving System (ADS) is one of the most innovative and fundamentally disruptive changes in transportation. This technology has the potential to resolve or mitigate current transportation problems, including reducing traffic accidents, congestion, energy consumption, and pollution. However, the extent of these impacts will depend heavily on public perception and widespread adoption of ADSs. To gain a better understanding of user acceptance and public perception related to ADS, extensive interviews were conducted with Tesla end-users who have experience using partial ADS (i.e...

Advancing Bus Rapid Transit and Transit Oriented Corridorsin California’s Central Valley

Braughton, Matthew
Brill, Matthew
Lee, Stephen
Binger, Gary
Cervero, Robert
2011

This study explores possibilities for advancing bus rapid transit (BRT) systems and associated higher density land development in the Central Valley of California. It uses photo-simulations and stakeholder reactions to visual images to gauge public attitudes toward what would be a fairly radical transformation of urban environments in traditionally car-oriented settings.The kinds of transformations that would be needed to economically justify higher quality BRT services will likely require better and more frequent bus as well as amenities in the form of street trees, landscaping, street...

Electric Bike Use in China and Their Impacts on the Environment, Safety, Mobility and Accessibility

Cherry, Christopher
2007

Chinese cities have a long legacy of bicycle use due to relatively low incomes, dense urban development, and short trip lengths. Because of tremendous economic growth resulting in increased motorization and spatial expansion of cities, trips are becoming longer and more difficult to make by bicycle. As a result, electric powered twowheelers have risen in popularity over the past five years. Touted as environmentally friendly vehicles, they are capable of traveling 450 kilometers on a single charge and emit zero tailpipe emissions. However, many cities are banning electric twowheelers from...

The Environmental Impacts of Logistics Systems and Options for Mitigation

Sathaye, Nakul
Li, Yuwei
Horvath, Arpad
Madanat, Samer
2006

This paper presents a discussion directed at determining the most progressive options for shifting the freight logistics industry towards having more sustainable-oriented goals. The authors first discuss transportation sustainability and the concept of green logistics. This is followed by a discussion on externalities resulting from vehicle emissions and indirect environmental externalities. The problem of environmental externalities is then examined, with focus on emissions and other related data. The authors then examine options for reducing environmental externalities. They discuss...

Urban Development on Railway-Served Land: Lessons and Opportunities for the Developing World

Cervero, Robert
2020

Under the right conditions -- serious traffic congestion, a permissive regulatory environment, and frequent and reliable transit services -- rail transit investments can powerfully shape cities and regions. Rail transit’s city‐shaping powers are due to market forces and policy interventions. By enhancing accessibility (the ability of those living, working, or shopping rail near stops to quickly reach desired destinations) rail services increase the value and desirability of properties in and around stations. Market pressures by themselves rarely produce transit oriented development. To...

Life-cycle Energy and Emissions Inventories for Motorcycles, Diesel Automobiles, School Buses, Electric Buses, Chicago Rail, and New York City Rail

Chester, Mikhail
Horvath, Arpad
2009

The development of life-cycle energy and emissions factors for passenger transportation modes is critical for understanding the total environmental costs of travel. Previous life-cycle studies have focused on the automobile given its dominating share of passenger travel and have included only few life-cycle components, typically related to the vehicle (i.e., manufacturing, maintenance, end-of-life) or fuel (i.e., extraction, refining, transport). Chester (2009) provides the first comprehensive environmental life-cycle assessment of not only vehicle and fuel components but also...

Unintended Impacts of Increased Truck Loads on Pavement Supply-Chain Emissions

Sathaye, Nakul
Horvath, Arpad
Madanat, Samer
2009

In recent years, the reduction of freight truck trips has been a common policy goal. To this end, policies aimed at influencing load consolidation, load factors and increasing maximum truck weight limits have been suggested and implemented, resulting in higher gross vehicle weights. The purpose of such policies has generally been to mitigate congestion and environmental impacts. However, trucks cause most of the damage incurred by pavements. The supply chain associated with pavement maintenance and construction releases significant air emissions, raising the question of whether increased...