Cutting social costs by decarbonizing passenger transport

Major efforts are still needed to decarbonize passenger transport. To do so, a combination of improved technologies, a shift towards public transport, cycling and walking and the avoidance of trips is crucial. However, to ensure successful implementation, we need to better understand how these strategies affect the overall costs to society. Therefore, we assess the social costs of a decarbonized ground-based passenger transport system in 2040, covering vehicle costs, costs for externalities and travel time costs across travel modes. Our results show that social costs decline with the introduction of decarbonization strategies. Specific effects include a reduction of vehicle costs and external costs, a rise in external benefits due to positive health effects of active mobility that overcompensate remaining external costs, and possibly increased travel time costs.

Automated summary

Efforts are needed to reduce carbon emissions in passenger transport. A combination of improved technologies, a shift towards public transport, cycling and walking and the avoidance of trips is crucial. Research shows that implementing decarbonization strategies can lower social costs, including vehicle costs and external costs, while increasing external benefits from positive health effects.