The net effects of the built environment on household vehicle emissions: A case study of Austin, TX
| Autor: | Kwangyul Choi, Ming Zhang |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2017 |
| Předmět: |
050210 logistics & transportation
Engineering Land use business.industry 05 social sciences 0211 other engineering and technologies Climate change 021107 urban & regional planning Transportation 02 engineering and technology Environmental economics Transport engineering Greenhouse gas 0502 economics and business Vehicle miles of travel The Internet business Built environment General Environmental Science Civil and Structural Engineering |
| Zdroj: | Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment. 50:254-268 |
| ISSN: | 1361-9209 |
| Popis: | Growing concerns over climate change have led to an increasing interest in the role of the built environment to reduce transportation greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Many studies have reported that compact, mixed-use, and well-connected developments reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Others, however, argue that densification and mixture of land uses can slow down vehicle movements, and consequently generate more driving emissions. Methodologically, VMT is only a proxy, not an exact measure of emissions. This study quantifies the net effects of the built environment on household vehicle emissions through a case study of Austin, TX. The study employed structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques and estimated path models to improve understanding of the relationship between the built environment and vehicle emissions. The results show a rather complex picture of the relationship. Densification can reduce regional vehicle emissions despite its secondary effect of reduced vehicle travel speed. A 1% increase in density was found to reduce household vehicle emissions by 0.1%. However, intensification of the design feature of the built environment in developed areas may work in the opposite direction; the modeling results showed a 1% increase in grid-like network being associated with 0.8% increase in household vehicle emissions. Based on the results, the study addressed the potential of and the challenges to reducing vehicle emissions through modifying the built environment in local areas. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
| Externí odkaz: |
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