Daily Travel

We're a world on the go.  Daily travel impacts our resources, our time and energy, and the health of the planet. 

Environmental_Impact_of_Automobile_Travel

Alternative_Transportation

FAQs

How_do_I_find_information_regarding_public_transit_& carpooling?

Is_it_better_to_buy_a_used_car_or_a_new_one?

Is_it_better_to_buy_a_hybrid_or_high_gas_mileage_car?

How_soon_will_I_have_to_replace_my_hybrid_battery?

How_much_does_battery_replacement_cost?

What's_the_difference_between_biodiesel_&_vegetable_oil?

What_are_the_benefits_of_biofuel?

Where_are_biofuels_available?

Tips_to_Improve_Gas_Mileage

What_to_Look_for_in_a_New_Car_

Success_Stories_

Environmental Impact of Automobile Travel

American transportation habits dramatically effect both human and environmental health.

Automobiles
Transportation accounts for 33% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Of that, 60% comes from personal vehicles. In addition to carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide, and carbon dioxide (all greenhouse gasses), automobiles pollute the air with lead, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to smog and ozone formation.  The EPA estimates that the average passenger vehicle uses 581 gallons of gasoline annually. (The extraction and transportation of which has severe environmental consequences around the globe.)

Roads and Bridges
Chemicals, debris, fertilizers, automobile oils, and litter run off roads and pollute local waterways. Bridges and other roadways cause soil erosion if built poorly or on steep slopes Soil erodes to streams, clouding and warming the water, and disrupting aquatic life.

Increased automobile use leads to more road construction and maintenance. Extracting aggregate and gravel, the main components in road construction, consumes energy, destroys habitat, and pollutes ground water. New road construction also destroys natural habitat and often severs animal migration routes.

Alternative Transportation

Public Transportation
Though not available or always user friendly in every community, public transportation reduces greenhouse gasses in daily travel. According to the American Public Transportation Association, a public transportation advocacy group in Washington, DC:

An average American commuter switching to public transportation could reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 20 pounds a day, and more than 4,800 pounds a year.  If they use rail transportation, the amount reduced is even greater.

In a two-car household, residents can reduce their carbon footprint by 25-35% if they eliminate one car and take public transportation.

Economics of Personal Transportation

Public transit may seem more expensive, but driving costs more. An average American spends over 20% of his or her income on automobile expenses such as
- Gas
- Insurance
- Maintenance
- Tolls
- Parking fees

You can save money and help the environment improving gas mileage Higher gas mileage is another financial benefit of purchasing hybrid vehicles. Tax incentives and government rebates are also available for hybrid vehicles, offsetting their initial cost. 

Walking or Biking
According to the EPA, 40% of personal trips are 2 miles or less. You can make many of these trips on foot or by bike By doing so, you'll significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while boosting your own health.

Car Sharing and Carpools
In many cities around the US, car sharing companies and non-profits provide vehicles for short term use. It is like renting a car, but with less hassle and the option of shorter use.  You can share a car for as short as an hour or two. Car sharing helps public transit riders with large errands when cars are useful or even necessary.

Many urban areas have carpool systems. Riders and drivers meet at a city intersection, or near a freeway, where non-drivers park their car. Advantages include:

• Shared gas and toll costs
• Use of the carpool lane during heavy traffic
• Reduced bridge tolls

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

How do I find local information regarding public transit and carpooling?
Contact your local transportation agency or government for more information.  Link here to links riders to local public transit providers with information about fares and schedules. For commuters interested in carpooling, visit erideshare.com  They are a web site connecting drivers and riders around the US and Canada.

Is it better to buy a used car or a new one?
While 75% of modern cars can be recycled, the production of new vehicles still has large environmental impacts. Some of these include:
Iron-ore extraction and smelting it into steel, the largest component of cars, destroys natural habitat and is energy intensive, usually using coal fired power.
7.5% of all plastic is used for car manufacturing. Oil extraction and plastic production both have large global environmental impacts. For more information see Global Challenges – Energy  .
The production of sealants, adhesives, and paints used in car manufacturing contributes to air and water pollution. Such agents make it difficult to recycle plastic components of the car as they are difficult to remove.
 

Buying a used car avoids these impacts, although mileage should continue to remain an important consideration.

Is it better to buy a hybrid or high gas mileage car?
A large factor in debating a hybrid versus a low mileage, compact car is cost. Hybrids are between $4-6,000 more expensive. Improved gas mileage and government tax incentives are ways to offset and eventually recoup that initial cost.   Link here for information about federal tax credits.

As gas prices continue to climb, savings on gas increasingly becomes more significant. However, the type of driving you do may determine how much savings you actually get. Hybrids perform better in the city because the electric motor powers the car during low-speed, stop and go city driving. At 40mph, the gas engine takes over, reducing the car’s mpg. While lighter engines and aerodynamic design boost a hybrids’ highway performance, regular long distance drivers may not see a significant difference over a compact high-mileage conventional car.

How soon will I have to replace my hybrid battery?

Hybrid batteries are under warranty for 80,000 to 100,000 miles, an estimated lifetime of eight to ten years. Because hybrids are fairly new their battery lifetime is unknown. So far, few replacements have been needed.

How much does battery replacement cost?
Because, hybrids are relatively new, few batteries have needed replacing, claim Toyota and Honda. The highest cost projected is $8,000 but most sources indicate the average is closer to $3,000.

Can the batteries be recycled and are they hazardous to the environment?
Hybrid cars use nickel metal hydride batteries and are fully recyclable. They are less toxic than conventional nickel cadmium batteries used in cars and electronics. Each battery has a phone number on them, which will inform where to drop it off. Toyota pays a bounty of $200 for each used battery.

What is the difference between biodiesel and used vegetable oil?
The diesel engine was originally designed to run on fuels available on the farm, known as biofuel. Before vegetable oil is used as fuel, it must be thinned to thickness of petrodiesel. This requires modest modifications that can be done to any diesel vehicle.
Biodiesel is made out of vegetable oil by removing the glycerin, or thickening agent. Once this is done, it is combined with petrodiesel to produce a fuel that can be used by any diesel engine.
For more information on alternative fuels visit Global Challenges – Transportation.

What are the benefits of biofuel?
The benefits of biofuels include:
- Fewer greenhouse gas emissions
- Made from renewable resources
- Can be locally produced
- Biodegradable
- Non-toxic
- Safer to handle

Where are biofuels available?
Biofueling stations are becoming more available around the country. For an updated guide visit biodeisel.org  

Tips to Improve Gas Mileage

• Go easy on brakes and gas peddle
• Avoid idling
• Reduce extra weight of unneeded items in the car or trunk
• Avoid high speeds
• Use AC only when necessary
• Use the overdrive feature
• Keep tires properly inflated and aligned
• Get regular tune-ups

What to Look for in a New Car

When looking for a new car, be realistic about your needs for a car. Consider your transportation habits to determine the size you need. Don’t buy a car based on a ski trip you take once year: rental cars work for that. Next, carefully research and compare fuel efficiency for the cars or trucks that suit your needs.

Success Stories

Xenia, Ohio converted 60 miles of former railroad into pedestrian and bike trails. An estimated 300,000 people use the trail system to get to work, school and other destinations.

Pubic transit in Seattle, Washington saves travelers 6 million hours in travel time and $566 million in fuel and time costs, annually.

For the past ten years, car sharing has taken off in cities around the world. Zipcar, the largest carsharing provider boasts 100,000 members world wide. 30% claim that carsharing’s accessibility and affordability has caused them to sell their existing car or refrain from purchasing a new one.