Green transportation refers to sustainable methods of travel that don’t create greenhouse gases or contribute to air pollution. Walking and cycling to work or using commuter rail are great ways of going green while saving money and getting exercise!
Transportation accounts for 29% of greenhouse gas emissions in the US. To lower that figure, consider taking public transit, driving less frequently or carpooling with coworkers.
Alternative Fuel Buses
Utilizing alternative fuel buses is one way to lower carbon emissions and air pollution in urban settings. Bus fleets now come in various alternative energy forms, including bio-diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG), propane and electric. Beyond their environmental advantages of reduced CO2 levels, these buses also represent more cost-effective operational and maintenance expenses savings for transit agencies.
Public transit systems across the nation have already implemented hybrid-electric buses and more are considering this transition. According to APTA, 16.7% of buses in the U.S. currently utilize alternative fuel sources – CNG/LPG dominate this category with 74% use; biodiesel makes up 7.4%, hydrogen/propane make up smaller portions while hydrogen can also be found as an option.
Hybrid electric buses reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 24% when compared to diesel-powered buses while simultaneously reducing nitrous oxides by 50% and particulates by 90%. Although hybrids initially cost more than diesel-powered buses, Lee County Transit quickly recovers the additional expense through reduced fuel usage costs as well as lower brake maintenance expenses.
UCLA is also conducting trials with electric buses that can travel up to twice as far. Not only will these help UCLA meet its goal of zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2025, but will also support sustainability research initiatives at the school.
This study’s objective is to create an analytical framework capable of automatically creating a comprehensive conversion plan tailored specifically for each transit agency, taking into account their fleet characteristics and operational conditions. The plan will encompass lifecycle costs as well as emission reductions compared to diesel-powered buses using alternative fuels; additionally it can measure vehicle performance along designated routes.
Electric Vehicles
An increasing number of people are opting to drive electric vehicles (EVs) as an environmentally-friendly transportation alternative. EVs run on electricity stored in their batteries and produce no tailpipe emissions, significantly cutting air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) production. Furthermore, technology surrounding EVs continues to advance – new battery technologies have increased range while charging times are becoming shorter, making EVs even more practical than ever.
Cities and businesses alike are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact as more people opt for electric vehicles (EVs). One bus rapid transit system in Guangzhou, China reduced carbon dioxide by 86,000 tons within its first decade of operation alone! Furthermore, public transportation systems are turning toward renewable sources like wind or solar to power their buses and trams fleets.
Greener vehicles are revolutionizing the logistics industry, particularly through electric and autonomous delivery vehicles. Amazon and UPS are investing in electric vans as an environmentally-friendly alternative to diesel-powered vans for last mile delivery, cutting carbon emissions and fuel costs while making deliveries in cities with lots of charging stations.
Change towards eco-friendly transportation will take time; some individuals still may resist changing from cars to public transit or biking despite its obvious advantages. Employers can encourage employees to use sustainable forms of transport by offering incentives like reimbursements, free transit passes or carpool discounts as a way of showing employees they care about the environment and are taking measures to minimize their impact. Furthermore, companies can invest in telematics solutions which monitor vehicle performance and driver behaviors real time, in order to identify areas for improvement and identify opportunities for change.
Bike Share Programs
Bike share programs offer an eco-friendly solution to transportation by helping to lower emissions from vehicles while simultaneously encouraging active modes of travel – both of which have beneficial effects for public health and the environment.
These systems work by offering people access to a fleet of bicycles for up to an hour at a time, returning them at any station within their bike-sharing network and becoming ever more popular worldwide.
Studies conducted recently revealed that cities with active bike-share programs experienced less congestion and air pollution, as well as reduced fatalities and injuries from traffic accidents. Furthermore, these programs tend to be cheaper than driving or taking taxis.
Although bike share programs bring many benefits, they do present certain challenges. Bike share companies have been accused of having an adverse impact on the environment; as well as vandalism and public backlash which forced some companies to pull their bikes from service.
However, there are ways to overcome these issues and ensure bike-share programs remain sustainable. For instance, using a non-profit organization as part of their management of bicycles could ensure that supplies remain under control without oversupply issues arising.
Un effective strategy to ensure sustainable bike sharing programs is to make them accessible for everyone, such as by positioning bikes in neighborhoods of need or offering incentives to low-income residents, working with community leaders to explain why such programs will benefit their area, or improving bicycle infrastructure to create safer cycling environments.
Carpooling
No matter the state or type of school your school operates, encouraging carpooling between students and staff members is an eco-friendly transportation option that will benefit both them and our planet. Each carpool reduces air pollution, traffic congestion, fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas and toxin emissions significantly.
Carpooling can be an economical and eco-friendly solution to transportation costs; not only will you save on gas but you can use all available seating capacity in your vehicle! If you live or work close together, carpooling may be an attractive solution to getting to work faster and at less expense than driving alone.
Finding a carpool partner may seem difficult for some individuals. Luckily, there is now an increasing number of websites and apps dedicated to helping users locate potential carpool partners as well as tools that allow for scheduling and payment management. Carpooling not only saves money and lowers carbon emissions; but can also increase workplace satisfaction and foster teamwork between coworkers.
Carpooling also benefits commuters by reducing wear and tear on their vehicle, which can be costly to repair and maintain. Sharing rides can save up to $500 annually in vehicle maintenance and fuel costs alone! Furthermore, by decreasing traffic flow on roads, carpooling reduces parking requirements at schools and businesses – an advantage in areas without public transit access or no available options at all! Utilizing an all-inclusive rideshare program such as easygreencarpools will give employees an eco-friendly alternative for single occupant commuter trips while simultaneously cutting parking space needs while simultaneously cutting employer-provided parking costs!
Natural Gas
Natural gas, specifically methane, is one of the cleanest-burning fossil fuels available today, producing far fewer greenhouse gases and emissions than diesel or gasoline vehicles, significantly improving urban air quality while saving public transport operators money due to its reduced costs. Switching public transport over to natural gas could provide enormous potential for greening our planet.
Public transit buses powered by natural gas emit up to 25% less carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions compared to their diesel counterparts, leading to decreased pollution and greenhouse gases emissions as well as lower levels of harmful air pollutants such as particulate matter and nitrogen oxides that contribute to poor air quality.
Natural gas provides an eco-friendly energy alternative that emits significantly less CO2. The United States boasts vast reserves of this eco-friendly alternative to other fossil fuels; an expanding pipeline infrastructure will increase access.
Renewable natural gas provides another green transportation option, produced from organic waste products like animal manure and landfills. Clean Energy currently utilizes this form of natural gas to power more than 25,000 trucks, buses and refuse trucks nationwide every day!
However, continuing our reliance on natural gas will still damage the climate. Scientists have demonstrated that methane leaks from natural gas supply chains have an even larger warming impact than previously assumed. Thus, it is imperative that we transition toward carbon-free sources like wind and solar as soon as possible while simultaneously using energy efficient appliances and driving hybrid or electric vehicles – this way we can reduce dependence on fossil fuels while mitigating catastrophic climate change.
