Road transport and the greenhouse effect. An account followed by suggestions
DELSEY ; DOBIAS
Type de document
ARTICLE A COMITE DE LECTURE NON REPERTORIE DANS BDI (ACLN)
Langue
anglais
Auteur
DELSEY ; DOBIAS
Résumé / Abstract
Over the last few decades various observations have shown the link between levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide and average global air temperatures. CO2 levels and temperatures have been rising rapidly for 100 years as a result of human activities, with all the consequences this holds for the future. The paper briefly describes the mechanisms which give rise to the greenhouse effect and surveys the gases which are responsible for it - carbon dioxide, methane, oxides of nitrogen, CFCs, etc. The paper presents various assessments of the individual action of these gases with the uncertainty associated with each of them. Road transport is an important and increasing source, its impact has risen from 10% in 1970 to more than 14% in 1990. The paper presents comparisons between the emissions of several current types of heat engine; vehicles with a carburettor type petrol engine with and without catalyst or vehicles with a diesel engine. The paper compares the greenhouse effect produced by the various alternatives. Next follows a brief survey of the solutions which enable these emissions - and also consumption - to be reduced : technological improvements, adherence to speed limits, restricting the power of industrial and light vehicles, biomass fuels, electrically powered vehicles, taxation. The paper assesses the potential benefits of some of these.
Source
RTS : Recherche transports sécurité, num. n8, p33-42 p.
Editeur
Institut National de Recherche sur les Transports et Leur Sécurité - INRETS
