Sustainable transport, the challenge ahead

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the challenge related to the establishment of sustainable transport system. Four trends continue to dominate the global consideration of motor vehicle pollution control issues: (1) the continued growth in the world's population, (2) the rising affluence of many rapidly industrializing developing countries and increasing the affordability of motor vehicles, (3) the increasing number of health studies showing adverse effects at lower levels of pollution, and (4) the response of governments by adopting more and tighter emissions standards for new vehicles or other incentives to stimulate the introduction of pollution controls on vehicles. Major industrialized areas of the world have been experiencing serious motor vehicle pollution problems. To deal with these problems, North America, Europe, and Japan have developed comprehensive motor vehicle pollution control programs, which have led to tremendous advances in light duty vehicle pollution control technologies. The chapter surveys what is currently known about transportation related air pollution problems, summarizes briefly the adverse impacts that result, reviews actions underway or planned to address these problems, and highlights future problems.