Traffic-related air pollution and health co-benefits of alternative transport in Adelaide, South Australia

• Published in: Environment international Vol. 74; pp. 281 - 290
• Main Authors: Xia, Ting, Nitschke, Monika, Zhang, Ying, Shah, Pushan, Crabb, Shona, Hansen, Alana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Accidents, Traffic - statistics & numerical data; Active transport; Adult; Air Pollutants - analysis; Air pollution; Air Pollution - prevention & control; Air quality; Australia; Automobiles; Automotive engineering; Bicycling; Carbon Dioxide - analysis; Exercise; Female; Health; Health impact assessment; Humans; Male; Models, Theoretical; Motor Vehicles; Particulate Matter - analysis; Physical activity; Public transport; Risk Assessment; South Australia; Traffic injury; Transport; Transportation; Urban areas; Vehicle Emissions - analysis; Young Adult; South Australia; Australia, South Australia, Adelaide; ISW, Australia, South Australia; ISW, Australia, South Australia, Adelaide; Australia, South Australia; Active transport; Traffic injury; Air pollution; Health impact assessment; Public transport; Physical activity
• ISSN: 0160-4120; 1873-6750
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2014.10.004

Motor vehicle emissions contribute nearly a quarter of the world's energy-related greenhouse gases and cause non-negligible air pollution, primarily in urban areas. Changing people's travel behaviour towards alternative transport is an efficient approach to mitigate harmful environmental impacts caused by a large number of vehicles. Such a strategy also provides an opportunity to gain health co-benefits of improved air quality and enhanced physical activities. This study aimed at quantifying co-benefit effects of alternative transport use in Adelaide, South Australia. We made projections for a business-as-usual scenario for 2030 with alternative transport scenarios. Separate models including air pollution models and comparative risk assessment health models were developed to link alternative transport scenarios with possible environmental and health benefits. In the study region with an estimated population of 1.4 million in 2030, by shifting 40% of vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) by passenger vehicles to alternative transport, annual average urban PM2.5 would decline by approximately 0.4μg/m3 compared to business-as-usual, resulting in net health benefits of an estimated 13deaths/year prevented and 118 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) prevented per year due to improved air quality. Further health benefits would be obtained from improved physical fitness through active transport (508deaths/year prevented, 6569DALYs/year prevented), and changes in traffic injuries (21 deaths and, 960 DALYs prevented). Although uncertainties remain, our findings suggest that significant environmental and health benefits are possible if alternative transport replaces even a relatively small portion of car trips. The results may provide assistance to various government organisations and relevant service providers and promote collaboration in policy-making, city planning and infrastructure establishment. •We model traffic-related PM2.5 for BAU and five alternative transport scenarios.•We assess health impacts associated with a travel model change to alternative transport.•We also examine changes in traffic injuries for all scenarios.•Significant environment and health co-benefits are identified.