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Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH)

A USDOT University Transportation Center

Expand Public Transportation

Public transportation systems provide users with an affordable and more fuel- and energy-efficient travel option. Encouraging public transit ridership can reduce traffic congestion while conserving energy and producing less traffic-related air pollution.1 Public transit is also beneficial for specific populations, such as lower-income individuals or young adults who cannot afford a personal vehicle, as well as older adults and disabled individuals who may be unable to drive themselves. Additionally, public transportation systems facilitate compact land use which reduces driving distances, encourages biking and walking, and can result in fewer vehicle emissions.2 Higher density development (including transit-oriented development) allows for less land to be reserved for parking and travel by increasing housing opportunities and improving access to health care grocery stores, education, and other services.

Considering this strategy will help achieve the goal of the following objectives

  • Less Contamination
  • Less Emissions
  • Less Traffic Noise
  • Connectivity and Inclusion
  • Healthy Destinations
  • Less Traffic Violence
  • Active Transportation
  • Green Space

Transportation lifecycle phases

This strategy is associated with the following transportation lifecycle phases:

  • Construction
  • End of Life
  • Maintenance
  • Material Selection
  • Operations
  • Policy and Planning
  • Project Development

Who's involved

  • Local governments
  • MPOs
  • Transit agencies
  • Vulnerable road users

Public transportation systems provide users with an affordable and more fuel- and energy-efficient travel option. Encouraging public transit ridership can reduce traffic congestion while conserving energy and producing less traffic-related air pollution.1 Public transit is also beneficial for specific populations, such as lower-income individuals or young adults who cannot afford a personal vehicle, as well as older adults and disabled individuals who may be unable to drive themselves.

Additionally, public transportation systems facilitate compact land use which reduces driving distances, encourages biking and walking, and can result in fewer vehicle emissions.2 Higher density development (including transit-oriented development) allows for less land to be reserved for parking and travel by increasing housing opportunities and improving access to health care grocery stores, education, and other services.

How it Helps

Expanding and enhancing public transportation systems can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector by decreasing the number of trips in personal vehicles. With fewer vehicles on the road, commuters are less exposed to particulate matter and other transportation-related pollutants that can have harmful health effects. Public transportation produces less emissions per passenger mile driven than single occupancy vehicles.3 It is estimated that public transit can reduce annual carbon emissions by over 30 million metric tons.4 There is mixed evidence regarding public transportation’s role in reducing traffic noise, with some studies finding that public transit commuters are exposed to higher noise levels.5 However, with fewer vehicles on the road due to expanding public transportation access, this could result in an overall reduction in urban noise levels. Commuters can also benefit from fuel cost savings, less incidents of traffic injuries and fatalities, decreased community severance, as well as health benefits derived from more active lifestyles.

Implementing

Investment:

Adequate investment and supportive planning is one of the main methods to expand public transportation infrastructure.6 To do so, many cities will have to alter their car-centered approach within the built environment to an approach that prioritizes public and active transit. Urban planners and transportation experts will have to identify key stakeholders and convince them that expanding public transportation coverage is financially beneficial, as well as positive for the environment and public health. Local governments should also ensure that there is a steady revenue to support public transit operations. This can be done by implementing easy-to-use payment systems for riders.

Design and Accessibility:

Existing public transportation networks should be designed to cover a wide geographic area to reach nearly all populations and be located in areas that people frequent often. Bus stops should also be connected to bicycling and walking infrastructure so that users can easily access public transit. First and last mile connectivity and ADA accessibility will be important considerations in the placement of public transit stations.
Additionally, passenger loading zones should be considered when implementing this strategy. These loading zones will provide commuters with safety during the loading and unloading of passengers.7

Examples

1) Seattle, Washington Transit System

Seattle, Washington has one of the best public transit systems in the country and has been steadily expanding this service to increase ridership.

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2019/09/17/seattle-has-nations-no-1-public-transit-system.html

2) Texas Public Transportation

As a whole, Texas’s public transportation system has been facing declining ridership and increasing operational costs. However, public transit networks should continue to be improved as the state continues to experience high population growth which puts a strain on the current transportation infrastructure. Expanding public transit networks can reduce the wear-and-tear on Texas roads and provide commuters with a reliable option to get to work and other destinations.

https://comptroller.texas.gov/economy/fiscal-notes/2021/apr/transit.php

1. American Public Transportation Association. (2008). Public Transportation Reduces Greenhouse Gases and Conserves Energy. https://www.apta.com/wp-content/uploads/Resources/resources/reportsandpublications/Documents/greenhouse_brochure.pdf
2. Hodges, T., et al. (2010). Public Transportation's Role in Responding to Climate Change [Slides]. Federal Transit Administration. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-04/documents/public_transportations_role_in_responding_to_climate_change.pdf
3. USDOT Federal Transit Administration. (2010). Public Transportation's Role in Responding to Climate Change. https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/PublicTransportationsRoleInRespondingToClimateChange2010.pdf
4. C2ES. Reducing Your Transportation Footprint. https://www.c2es.org/content/reducing-your-transportation-footprint/
5. ASHA Wire. (2018). Public Transit Commuters Regularly Exposed to Excessive Noise, Study Finds. https://doi.org/10.1044/leader.RIB1.23032018.14
6. Welle, B., et al. (2022). 3 ways to reimagine public transport for people and the climate. GreenBiz. https://www.greenbiz.com/article/3-ways-reimagine-public-transport-people-and-climate
7. Law Insider. Passenger curb loading zone definition. https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/passenger-curb-loading-zone