Emissions comparison
Traffic is regarded as one of
the primary causes of global climate change. In Europe
freight traffic in particular is becoming ever more significant as an emitter
of numerous pollutants because it is expected that there will be a further continuous
rise in freight traffic in the next few decades. According to the Federal
Ministry for the Environment, the amount of freight transported by road will
rise by 59% between 2005 and 2025. Long-term studies indicate that the greater
volumes being transported will more than outweigh the reductions in consumption
of individual trucks [cf. UBA]. In light of this,
the relief potential offered by Combined Transport will become increasingly
important because shifting transport to rail drastically reduces the amount of
pollution emitted by traffic.
Neutral comparisons between the pollution emissions of the various types of
transport used to carry freight reveal the precise benefits of Combined
Transport for the environment. Ground-breaking analysis work on this subject
was done in 2003 with the development of the Transport Emission Model (Tremod)
by the IFEU, an institute founded by Heidelberg University. This model used by the Federal
Environment Agency and the Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation
and Nuclear Safety, among others. Updated by the IFEU in 2005, the model
demonstrates that transport by rail saves 53 grams of the greenhouse
gas CO2 alone per kilometre ton compared with pure transport by
road. Shifting transport from road to rail delivers proven benefits because
rail is the most environmentally friendly means of transport; this also applies
for the other relevant pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons as
well as primary energy consumption.
Please us for a quick calculation of transport pollution emissions our web application.
> Online-timetable including emissons balance
