MEANING/ OBJECTIVES

-has the objective of reducing the environmental

impact of transportation system and making this
sector more sustainable.

-aims to make decisions that are based on

understanding of environmental consequences,
and take actions that protect, restore and
enhance the environment.
3 CATEGORIES OF IMPACTS
ON ENVIRONMENT
Direct impacts.
The immediate consequence of
transport activities on the environment
where the cause and effect relationship
is generally clear and well understood.
For instance, noise and carbon
monoxide emissions are known to have
direct harmful effects.
Indirect impacts.
The secondary (or tertiary)
effects of transport activities on environmental
systems. They are often of higher consequence
than direct impacts, but the involved
relationships are often misunderstood and more
difficult to establish. For instance, particulates
which are mostly the outcome of incomplete
combustion in an internal combustion engine
are indirectly linked with respiratory and
cardiovascular problems since they contribute
among other factors to such conditions.
Cumulative impacts.
MAIN FACTORS OF
The additive, multiplicative or
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
synergetic consequences of
transport activities.
-TRANSPORT They take into
NETWORK
account ofUSED
-MODES the varied effects of
direct and indirect
-TRAFFIC LEVELS impacts
on an ecosystem, which are often
unpredicted.
ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSIONS
Transportation sector is becoming increasingly linked to
environmental problems. The most important impacts include:

CLIMATE CHANGE. is AIR QUALITY. Highway

known as the greenhouse effect
is a fundamental component of
the regulation of global climate
and is a naturally occurring
process that involves partially
retaining heat in the earth’s
atmosphere. These include
carbon dioxide (CO2),
methane (CH4), nitrous oxide
(N2O) and
halocarbons.
vehicles, marine engines,
locomotives and aircraft are the
sources of pollution in the form
of gas and particulate matters
emissions that affects air quality
causing damage to human
health.
SMOG. is a mixture of solid and liquid fog and smoke particles formed
through the accumulation of carbon monoxide, ozone, hydrocarbons,
volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxide, water,
particulates, and other chemical pollutants.

NOISE. represents the general

effect of irregular and chaotic
sounds on people as well as
animal life. Basically, noise is an
undesirable sound. The acoustic
measure of the intensity of noise
is expressed in decibel, db, with
a scale ranging from 1 db to 120
db. Long term exposure to noise
levels above 75 decibels (dB)
seriously hampers hearing
and affects human physical and
psychological wellbeing.
WATER QUALITY. Transport
activities have an impact on
hydrologicalconditions and water
quality. Fuel, chemical and
other hazardous particulates
discarded from aircraft, cars,
trucks and trains or from port
and airport terminal operations
can contaminate
hydrographic systems.
SOIL QUALITY. The environmental impact of transportation on soil
quality, particularly soil erosion and soil contamination. Coastal transport
facilities have significant impacts on soil erosion. Shipping activities are
modifying the scale and scope of wave actions leading to damage in
confined channels such as river banks. Highway construction or lessening
surface grades for port and airport developments have led to important loss
of fertile land. Soil contamination can occur through the use of toxic
materials by the transport industry.

BIODIVERSITY. Transportation also influences biodiversity. The

need for construction materials and the development of land-based
transportation has led to deforestation. Many transport routes have
required draining land, thus reducing wetland areas and driving-out water
plant species.
 WAYS TO MITIGATE THESE ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACTS

DRIVE LESS. Walk or bike when you can. Plan ahead to make the most
of your trips and “trip chain.” If your grocery store is near other places you
need to visit, do it all at once. Use ride-sharing with friends.

DRIVE WISE & CHOOSE FUEL EFFICIENT VEHICLES. Drive

efficiently – go easy on the gas pedal and brakes. Use the recommended
motor oil. Electric vehicles.

OPTIMIZE HOME DELIVERIES. When getting home deliveries or

shopping online, consider asking to have all your packages sent in one
shipment and with minimal packaging.