Sustainable Road Transport Research Articles

Strategic assessment of fuel taxation in energy conservation and CO2 reduction for road transportation: a case study from China

Road transportation has attracted extensive attention throughout the world because of its high energy demands and numerous externalities. Sustainable road transportation has thus become a great challenge for politicians and decision-makers all over the world. There have been a series of studies indicating that appropriate pricing of fuel can be both effective and efficient for reducing overconsumption of transport fuel. However, relatively little research has been done on fuel price approaches in developing country contexts. For a country like China, where road traffic today is growing more than in other countries, there is a strategic interest to do more economic analyses of fair and efficient pricing of fuel. In this study, we present a strategic assessment of fuel pricing in energy conservation and CO2 reduction from road transportation in China, both in a retrospective and a prospective perspective. First of all, the correlation between fuel price and road transport gasoline demand, based upon data from 1995 to 2007, was examined with an econometric model. Secondly, on basis of the elasticity model, the potential reductions with respect to fuel demand and Green House Gas (GHG) emissions as a consequence of a strategic fuel tax implementation in China were examined up to 2030. The results indicate that such strategic fuel taxation can play a considerable role in steering the growth of road transport gasoline demand, and thus also Chinese GHG emissions.

Interactions of environmental and safety measures for sustainable road transportation

This study examined interactions of environmental and safety measures for road transportation. Road-safety effects of various measures targeting environmental problems of road transportation and environmental effects of various road-safety measures were reviewed. The results showed that a vast majority of the examined measures support both policy objectives and thereby contribute effectively to sustainable transportation. However, there were also measures with conflicting effects, although the number of those measures was limited. In addition, there were a number of measures with no interaction. Furthermore, many potential effects were not documented and therefore in many instances only likely effects were noted. There are two practical implications of this study. First, those measures that result in double benefits should be encouraged to be implemented. Second, in case of conflicting measures, the specific implementations should attempt to minimize the negative effects.

Sustainable and efficient interurban public road transport in Hungary

Buses are characteristic for Hungarian interurban traffic. This paper has the key objectives of determining the economically feasible point of reselling the buses. The paper is based on Hungarian data. The paper highlights the importance of operation of public transport vehicles and the optimum solution for minimizing their costs. Hungarian operators try to achieve this goal, although this is not easy due to their limited resources. Because of the present national economic situation in Hungary buses are operated much longer than it would be economically beneficial. Unfortunately the acquisition of newer buses is a slow process. All these problems significantly increase the losses of our interurban public transport companies.

Are totally recycled hot mix asphalts a sustainable alternative for road paving?

The recycling of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) helps road authorities to achieve their goal of a sustainable road transport system by reducing waste production and resources consumption. The environmental and economic benefits of using RAP in hot mix asphalt (HMA) applications could be pushed up to the limit, by producing totally recycled HMAs (100% RAP), but the performance of this alternative must be satisfactory. In fact, these mixtures could possibly present problems of workability and durability, higher binder aging and low fatigue cracking resistance. Thus, the objective of this study is to determine if totally recycled HMA mixtures could be a good solution for road paving, by evaluating the merit of some rejuvenator agents (commercial product; used engine oil) in improving the aged binders’ properties and the recycled mixture performance. Several binder samples were prepared with the mentioned rejuvenators and characterized (Pen, R&B and dynamic viscosity), in order to select the best rejuvenator contents. The production temperatures of the corresponding recycled mixtures were evaluated based on their workability. Totally recycled HMAs were produced with the best previously observed combinations, and their performance (water sensitivity, rutting resistance, stiffness, fatigue resistance, binder aging) was assessed. The main conclusion of this study is that totally recycled HMAs can be a good alternative for road paving, especially if rejuvenator agents are used to reduce their production temperature and to improve their performance.

A high-rate long-life Li4Ti5O12/Li[Ni0.45Co0.1Mn1.45]O4 lithium-ion battery

Lithium batteries are receiving considerable attention as storage devices in the renewable energy and sustainable road transport fields. However, low-cost, long-life lithium batteries with higher energy densities are required to facilitate practical application. Here we report a lithium-ion battery that can be cycled at rates as high as 10 C has a life exceeding 500 cycles and an operating temperature range extending from -20 to 55 °C. The estimated energy density is 260 W h kg(-1), which is considerably higher than densities delivered by the presently available Li-ion batteries.

Combinatorial optimization for electric vehicles management

Growing concerns about environmental quality of cities are calling for sustainable road transportation technologies. Electric Vehicles (EV), for public and private transport, can contribute signicantly to the lowering of the current pollution levels. However, the EV use is currently facing several weaknesses among which are: limited driving range, high cost and overall limited eciency. This paper aims at specifying some key contributions of combinatorial optimization for an ecient electric vehicles management. Electric vehicles management, Routing problem, Facility location, Vehicles redistribution.

Techno-economic and behavioural analysis of battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell and hybrid vehicles in a future sustainable road transport system in the UK

This paper conducts a techno-economic study on hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCV), Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) and hydrogen Fuel Cell plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (FCHEV) in the UK using cost predictions for 2030. The study includes an analysis of data on distance currently travelled by private car users daily in the UK. Results show that there may be diminishing economic returns for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) with battery sizes above 20 kWh, and the optimum size for a PHEV battery is between 5 and 15 kWh. Differences in behaviour as a function of vehicle size are demonstrated, which decreases the percentage of miles that can be economically driven using electricity for a larger vehicle. Decreasing carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation by 80% favours larger optimum battery sizes as long as carbon is priced, and will reduce emissions considerably. However, the model does not take into account reductions in carbon dioxide emissions from hydrogen generation, assuming hydrogen will still be produced from steam reforming methane in 2030.

Sustainable Road Transport in the European Union

Road transport is vital to economic development, trade, and social integration. However, such transport is also responsible for the majority of negative impacts on the environment and society. To achieve sustainable development, a country increasingly needs to assess its undesirable costs to determine its road transport policy. In this study, total energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and the number of fatalities in the European road transport system were selected to represent the level of sustainable development in each member–state of the European Union. With data from 1995 to 2007, the extent to which the 27 European Union countries improved their productivity on sustainable road transport was evaluated on the basis of data envelopment analysis and the Malmquist productivity index. The Malmquist productivity index measures productivity change over time and can be further broken down into two components: change in efficiency and technical change. The results showed considerable progress toward sustainable road transport in Europe during this period. The breakdown into the two components further revealed that the bulk of the improvement was attained through the adoption of productivity-enhancing new technologies throughout the road transport sector rather than through the lessening of the difference between relatively inefficient countries and efficient ones. In addition, the growth in both aspects slowed in 2007; this aspect implied that the momentum of further improvement was in danger of being lost and that new impetus was needed.

Fleet renewal: An approach to achieve sustainable road transport

With more stringent requirements for efficient utilisation of energy resources within the transport industry a need for implementation of sustainable development principles has appeared. Such action will be one of competitive advantages in the future. This is especially confirmed within the road transport sector. A methodology implemented in public procurement procedures for fleet renewal regarding the calculation of road vehicles’ operational lifecycle costs has been analysed in detail in this paper. Afore mentioned calculation comprises the costs for: vehicle ownership, energy, carbon dioxide, and pollutants emissions. Implementation of this methodology allows making the choice of energy efficient vehicles and vehicles with notable positive environmental effects. The objective of the research is to assess the influence of specific parameters of vehicle operational lifecycle costs, especially energy costs and estimated vehicle energy consumption, on vehicle choice in the procurement procedure. The case of urban bus fleet in Serbia was analysed. Their operational lifecycle costs were calculated and differently powered vehicles were assessed. Energy consumption input values were defined. It was proved that defined fleet renewal scenarios could influence unquestionable decrease in energy consumption.

Comparative analysis of battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell and hybrid vehicles in a future sustainable road transport system

This paper compares battery electric vehicles (BEV) to hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) and hydrogen fuel cell plug-in hybrid vehicles (FCHEV). Qualitative comparisons of technologies and infrastructural requirements, and quantitative comparisons of the lifecycle cost of the powertrain over 100,000 mile are undertaken, accounting for capital and fuel costs. A common vehicle platform is assumed. The 2030 scenario is discussed and compared to a conventional gasoline-fuelled internal combustion engine (ICE) powertrain. A comprehensive sensitivity analysis shows that in 2030 FCEVs could achieve lifecycle cost parity with conventional gasoline vehicles. However, both the BEV and FCHEV have significantly lower lifecycle costs. In the 2030 scenario, powertrain lifecycle costs of FCEVs range from $7360 to $22,580, whereas those for BEVs range from $6460 to $11,420 and FCHEVs, from $4310 to $12,540. All vehicle platforms exhibit significant cost sensitivity to powertrain capital cost. The BEV and FCHEV are relatively insensitive to electricity costs but the FCHEV and FCV are sensitive to hydrogen cost. The BEV and FCHEV are reasonably similar in lifecycle cost and one may offer an advantage over the other depending on driving patterns. A key conclusion is that the best path for future development of FCEVs is the FCHEV.

Energy for sustainable road transportation in China: Challenges, initiatives and policy implications

This paper presents an overview of the initiatives launched in energy supply and consumption and the challenges encountered in sustainable road transportation development in China. It analyzes the main energy challenges related to road transportation development arising in the context of economic development, rapid urbanization, and improvement in living standards. It also discusses technological- and policy initiatives needed to deal with these challenges, drawing comparisons with foreign experience: promoting the development and dissemination of alternative fuels and clean vehicles such as: LPG, CNG, EV, HEV, FCV, ethanol, methanol, DME, bio-diesel, and CTL, strengthening regulations relating to vehicle fuel economy and emission, improving traffic efficiency and facilitating public transport development, and strengthening management of the soaring motor vehicle population. If the current pattern continues, by the year 2030, the vehicle population in China will be 400 million and fuel demand will be 350 million tons. The potential energy saving capacity being 60%, the actual oil demand by 2030 from on-road vehicles might technically be kept at the current level by improving fuel economy, propagating use of HEV and diesel vehicles, improving supply of alternative fuels, and developing public transport. Several uncertainties are identified that could greatly influence the effect of the technical proposals: traffic efficiency, central government's resolve, and consumers' choice.

Pricing of road transport in East Asia: issues and challenges

This paper aims to present a broad characterisation of the road transport pricing in East Asia (EA). Road transport pricing instruments remain fragmented despite pending regional economic integration. To understand pricing regime in the region, we reviewed the broad structure of road transport pricing in the region and performed an empirical analysis taking motor fuel pricing as determined by politico-economic variables using panel data. Issues and challenges in pricing for sustainable road transport are identified.

Partnerships for Progress

Road infrastructure institutions and organizations are beginning to face a period of major change that will affect current partnerships in the transportation sector. The fundamental element of this change centers around the increasing importance of the concept of sustainability, which is developing from the increasing realization that the world has geophysical limits and that transportation systems, in common with many other human systems, are putting increasing pressure on these limits. The paper first reviews four perspectives of sustainability: negative, superficial, weak, and strong. It then evaluates how the ethical principles of strong sustainability could translate into transportation sector policy, based on the Swedish Vision Zero approach to road safety, within the overall concept of sustainability across society. Understanding of the implications of a possible sustainable road transportation infrastructure policy involves a preliminary evaluation of potential changes in current transportation institutions in the light of a number of indicated outcomes in a framework of pricing and investment, integration, mobility, and modal change. Four broad classifications of road infrastructure organization are then reviewed: departmental systems, public agencies with a degree of political independence, government-owned companies, and public–private partnerships. In each case, the structures are reviewed to understand the potential for sustainable outcomes from current systems, together with the likely consequences for future elected government functions. The paper concludes with a brief examination of the political process of change and the need for change to bring together community partnerships to support progress.