Automotive air pollution : issues and options for developing countries

Air pollution constitutes an ominous threat to human health and welfare. Its adverse effects are pervasive and may be disaggregated at three levels: (a) local, confined to urban and industrial centers; (b) regional, pertaining to transboundary transport of pollutants; and (c) global, related to build up of greenhouse gases. These effects have been observed globally but the characteristics and scale of the air pollution problem in developing countries are not known; nor has the problem been researched and evaluated to the same extent as in industrialized countries. Air pollution, however, can no longer be regarded as a local or a regional issue as it has global repercussions in terms of the greenhouse effect and depletion of the ozone layer. This paper discusses the contribution of motorized land transport to air pollution problems, with special reference to developing countries. It assesses the adverse effects of air pollution from transport sources, primarily motor vehicles, and reviews possible approaches to bring about improvements. The paper identifies key issues and research needs related to land transport and air pollution in developing countriesTransport and Environment,Environmental Economics&Policies,Montreal Protocol,Energy and Environment,Roads&Highways

Design of a system for analysis and forecast of highway revenues

Increased emphasis is being placed on improved financial control and planning within state transportation agencies due to continuing shifts in revenue sources, escalation of construction, maintenance and operating costs, instability of revenue bases, and mandates of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991. This has underscored the importance of analysis, estimation, and forecast of highway revenues. The present research focused on the problems associated with highway revenue analysis, highway financing mechanisms, and highway revenue forecasting. A detailed review of highway revenues was conducted and the problems of instability, inequity, and inefficiency with existing highway financing mechanisms were examined. A reorientation of highway user charges was proposed to address these problems. A long-term highway revenue forecasting methodology was developed with particular emphasis on the ease of data input, simplicity of internal model relationships, flexibility of incorporating a variety of user charge mechanisms, and responsiveness to changes in socioeconomic, technological, energy, environmental, and legislative factors. The adopted methodology also addressed the issues of adequacy, stability, equity, and efficiency of the revenue bases and tax rates. A set of models and procedures were developed to apply the proposed methodology to Indiana. The forecasts and model results further endorsed the need for a reorientation of tax structure and rates for the 21st century. Another methodology based on the long-term methodology and decomposition method was proposed for short-term highway revenue forecasting and applied to Indiana. The uses of highway revenue analysis and forecasts for highway programming, gap analysis, impact analysis, cost-allocation studies, project scheduling, and effectiveness of tax structure and rates and management systems were identified and examined