Abstract
Recently, developing sustainable public transportation systems has been highlighted by decision makers and transportation agencies, due to the development of urban areas and the related environmental problems. Implementing new vehicle technologies has been introduced as an appropriate alternative to the conventional taxis. Hybrid electrical vehicles (HEVs) have been the potential candidates for replacing the conventional taxis, since they are more eco-friendly than conventional ones and even more reliable than electric vehicles (EVs) as a mode of public transportation. In this study, current and future environmental impact assessments have been determined for the taxi fleet in the West Bank, Palestine, and the implications of using new vehicle technologies (hybrid taxis) as a replacement of the conventional taxi fleet have been investigated. In order to perform this study, firstly, the data of the number of taxis for the period of 1994–2018 have been collected and a prediction model for the future number of taxis has been developed. The expected total amounts of consumed fuels have been then estimated. Finally, the current and the future N2O and CO2, and emissions, have been estimated and the expected influences of hybrid taxis have been determined. The results of the analysis have concluded that replacing 50% of conventional taxis with a hybrid fleet could achieve 42.3% and 28% reductions in N2O and CO2, respectively, in the next 10 years. A 395% increase in CH4 could be obtained due to the higher amount of CH4 that is produced by the gasoline combustion compared to the diesel fuel, since hybrid vehicles have gasoline-based engines (GHG in terms of CO2-equivalent could be increased by 28.2%).
Highlights
During the last two decades, the transportation sector has played a key role in developing trading, industry, and societies in general
The results have showed that the fuel cell powered-vehicles have lower energy consumption (4.34 MJ/km) and CO2 emissions (235 g/km) than Internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) (9.54 MJ/km and 738 g/km)
A 79.9% increase in CH4 could be obtained due to the higher amount of CH4 produced by gasoline combustion, which is used by the hybrid internal combustion engine (ICE) compared to the diesel fuel
Summary
During the last two decades, the transportation sector has played a key role in developing trading, industry, and societies in general. In Palestine, due to the weakness of bus lines, the absence of subway networks, and other cultural issues, Palestinians mainly depend on taxis rather than any other public transportation modes. In order to develop a sustainable public transportation system, conventional taxi fleets should be replaced by other vehicle technologies. (1) In case there is no clear plan, it could be implemented by the government in order to replace the conventional taxi fleets; the expected penetration rate of the hybrid taxis has been assumed to be 10% (case 1) during the 10 years (in 2030), which is the normal increase rate that could be obtained in the absence of any other external factors. This study will pave the way for further comprehensive studies that would target the public transportation sector in Palestine, and in the West Bank, which is the largest province (based on area) that includes 16 cities with a total population of 3.05 million [6]
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