Study assesses the environmental impact of different modes of transportation

A study conducted by Fundação Espaço ECO and Instituto Akatu seeks to understand the impact of urban mobility based on Brazilian conditions. The research used the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology to analyze the different modes of transportation used in cities across their entire chain: equipment production, transport across the chain, use, maintenance, and disposal.

The city of São Paulo was chosen as the focus due to its diverse transit options and population consumption habits, along with access to existing and secondary databases to gather the information that enabled the analysis.

“The goal was to understand and measure the environmental impacts of products and processes. In this way, we translate sustainability into people's daily lives,” says Rodolfo Viana, CEO of Fundação Espaço ECO.

“With this study, we point out ways for consumers to reduce the environmental impact of their commute—such as sharing transit modes, using renewable fuels, performing regular equipment maintenance, properly caring for and disposing of equipment and parts, and prioritizing public transit. In addition, consumers can integrate these suggestions into their daily routines to improve the environmental impact of urban mobility,” highlights Helio Mattar, CEO of Instituto Akatu.

Pros and Cons of Each Transit Mode

The LCA-based study considers the environmental performance of each transit option without factoring in other consumer choices such as economics, social aspects, convenience, comfort, and safety. The primary modes of transportation studied were bicycles, e-scooters, motorcycles, cars, buses, and the subway.

Each mode has its greatest environmental impact at different stages of the process, whether during production (due to the raw materials used), use (due to fossil fuel combustion), maintenance, or disposal.

The bicycle, for example, is a mode of transportation that does not use fuel for propulsion, but its production involves materials like steel and aluminum, which generate significant impacts. If properly disposed of at the end of its lifespan—by selling parts in good condition and recycling materials—consumers can significantly reduce its environmental impact, as this prevents the extraction of new natural resources.

Motorcycles and cars generate the highest impact during use and maintenance due to gasoline consumption, the combustion of which releases CO2, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming and generates particulate matter, which is responsible for phenomena like acid rain. If the vehicle is compatible, using renewable fuels (such as ethanol) is the best alternative to reduce impacts: by replacing gasoline with sugarcane-derived ethanol in a car, it is possible to reduce atmospheric CO2 emissions by at least 25%.

Regular maintenance on cars or motorcycles is also crucial for better fuel efficiency and performance. Similarly, prioritizing shared use helps distribute the environmental footprint, thereby reducing the individual burden.

Public transit options, such as buses and the subway, run regardless of how many passengers they carry. Since adjusting routes to better distribute passenger numbers is a complex process and individual choice regarding alternative schedules is limited, consumers are encouraged to opt for public transit to maximize its utilization, reducing individual environmental impact and avoiding pollutant emissions from private vehicles.

A new transit mode that has filled the streets of some major cities is the e-scooter, which is typically used for short distances. In this case, the environmental impact is concentrated in production, particularly due to the lithium-ion battery, which carries a highly significant impact footprint.

Comparing private and shared use reveals advantages for private ownership, provided it is used frequently. To minimize environmental impacts, the consumer's primary concern should be extending the lifespan of the lithium battery; to achieve this, it should not be charged above 80% of its maximum capacity or discharged below 20%.

Proper disposal of the scooter at the end of its lifespan is also important, either by selling or recycling parts. Conversely, under shared use, a reduction of up to 50% in the scooter's lifespan was observed, primarily due to lack of care during use. Therefore, consumers can alter this scenario by taking care of the equipment so it can serve more people for longer, reducing individual environmental impact.

The study seeks to help people make conscious choices and better understand the environmental impacts of the main modes of transportation used. – Rodolfo Viana

It is worth noting that the study did not factor in variables introduced by the pandemic and relied on data from 2019. Below are the recommendations for consumers seeking more sustainable transport options:

• Share transport modes;
• Use renewable fuels;
• Take care of equipment during use;
• Perform regular maintenance;
• Properly dispose of equipment and parts at the end of their useful life;
• Prioritize the use of public transportation.

To access the complete study, click here.

Via CicloVivo.