Real-World Carbon Dioxide Impacts of Traffic Congestion

Matthew Barth; Kanok Boriboonsomsin

doi:10.3141/2058-20

journal article Jan 01, 2008

Real-World Carbon Dioxide Impacts of Traffic Congestion

Matthew Barth

Kanok Boriboonsomsin

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board Vol. 2058 No. 1 pp. 163-171 · SAGE Publications

View at Publisher Save 10.3141/2058-20

Abstract

Transportation plays a significant role in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, accounting for approximately a third of the U.S. inventory. To reduce CO2 emissions in the future, transportation policy makers are planning on making vehicles more efficient and increasing the use of carbon-neutral alternative fuels. In addition, CO2 emissions can be lowered by improving traffic operations, specifically through the reduction of traffic congestion. Traffic congestion and its impact on CO2 emissions were examined by using detailed energy and emission models, and they were linked to real-world driving patterns and traffic conditions. With typical traffic conditions in Southern California as an example, it was found that CO2 emissions could be reduced by up to almost 20% through three different strategies: congestion mitigation strategies that reduce severe congestion, allowing traffic to flow at better speeds; speed management techniques that reduce excessively high free-flow speeds to more moderate conditions; and shock wave suppression techniques that eliminate the acceleration and deceleration events associated with the stop-and-go traffic that exists during congested conditions.

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535

Citations

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References

Details

Published: Jan 01, 2008
Vol/Issue: 2058(1)
Pages: 163-171
License: View

Authors

M

Matthew Barth

Center for Environmental Research and Technology, College of Engineering, University of California at Riverside, 1084 Columbia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92507.

K

Kanok Boriboonsomsin

Center for Environmental Research and Technology, College of Engineering, University of California at Riverside, 1084 Columbia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92507.

Cite This Article

Matthew Barth, Kanok Boriboonsomsin (2008). Real-World Carbon Dioxide Impacts of Traffic Congestion. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2058(1), 163-171. https://doi.org/10.3141/2058-20

Real-World Carbon Dioxide Impacts of Traffic Congestion

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