Technological Development and Sustainability

This report discusses the significance of the transportation industry in fostering economic development and its impact on greenhouse gas emissions. The transportation of goods accounts for around 40-50% of the total energy usage in the transportation sector. The enhancement of transportation, for both personal and commercial purposes, is a crucial element in the advancement of economic development. However, the prevalence of automobiles on roadways has led to a substantial contribution of transportation to the overall amount of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.    

TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND SUSTAINABILITY
1.0 Introduction
The transportation industry has historically been a significant and challenging sector
within urban and national economies. The significance of transport in fostering
economic development cannot be overstated. However, it is noteworthy that transport is
also responsible for a considerable proportion of the overall worldwide greenhouse gas
emissions, ranging from 13-15 per cent, as reported by Arvidsson. (2011) and IPCC
(2007). It is worth noting that this estimate encompasses passenger transport as well.
As per the findings of OECD (2003), it can be inferred that the energy consumption
related to transport is majorly attributed to goods, accounting for an estimated 30% of
the total energy consumption. This, in turn, constitutes approximately 20% of the overall
energy consumption in the Western hemisphere. There exists a significant correlation
between the degree of development and energy consumption.
2.0 Freight transportation and its various modes of transportation
Around 40-50% of the total energy usage in the transportation sector is accounted for
by the transportation of goods. As per Chatti's (2021) findings, a significant proportion of
nations dedicate their complete domestic energy reserves to power their transportation
systems. The enhancement of transportation, pertaining to both personal and
commercial purposes, is a crucial element in the advancement of economic
development (Wang et al., 2019). The Total Carbon Dioxide (TCO2) levels have
demonstrated a noteworthy escalation of over 80% since reaching their lowest point in
1990. This resulted in a measurement of 8.25 (billion) metric tonnes in the year 2019.
As per the findings of Statista's report in 2022, the Total Carbon Dioxide (TCO2)
underwent a reduction of 12% in the year 2020, which can be predominantly attributed
to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, based on projections, it is
anticipated that the total amount of carbon dioxide (TCO2) will experience a rise once
more, as a result of the growing emissions from transportation. On a yearly basis, there
is a growing need for transportation, leading to an escalation in the quantity of
automobiles present on the streets. The aforementioned phenomenon is a contributing

factor to the acceleration of climate change by releasing detrimental pollutants into the
atmosphere. Understanding the operational mechanisms of Total Carbon Dioxide
(TCO2) is crucial in mitigating carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and attaining climate
goals.
The prevalence of automobiles on roadways has led to a substantial contribution of
transportation to the overall amount of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. This is
especially true for vehicles that rely on petroleum and natural gas, as reported by the
International Energy Agency in 2019. The upsurge in passenger and freight traffic could
potentially be attributed to the escalation in economic activity, as suggested by
Mehmood (2021). Therefore, it can be inferred that the transportation of individuals and
goods represents the predominant factor contributing to the expansion of global travel,
as suggested by Chong et al. (2021). The road transportation sector is accountable for
roughly 74% of TCO2 emissions and 93% of petroleum consumption due to its reliance
on fossil fuels, as reported by the International Energy Agency in 2019.
2.1 Mode of freight transportation
The transportation of goods can be accomplished through a variety of modes, such as
road, sea, air, and rail. For the purpose of this essay, the road mode of freight
transportation will be discussed.
In 37 of the 51 countries analysed, road transportation accounts for roughly 40% of the
total tonne-kilometres transported. The proportion of this share is notably greater in
comparison to that of rail freight, coastal shipping, inland waterways, and pipelines,
which account for 24%, 16%, 13%, and 7%, respectively. The proportion of goods
transportation attributed to road freight has exhibited a consistent upward trend,
escalating from 25% in 1980 to 40% in 2017. Approximately one-third of freight in China
is transported via roads, while inland waterways account for a quarter of the total, with
another quarter utilising coastal shipping. Rail transport is responsible for approximately
14% of the country's freight movement. Typically, non-road transportation modes are
predominantly utilised for the transportation of large quantities of goods, such as coal,
minerals, and petroleum products. Containers are transported via various modes of
transportation, including lorries (ITF, 2022).

The transportation of goods via roads, commonly known as road freight transport or
trucking, plays a crucial role in contemporary economies. It holds a distinctive
socioeconomic status by serving as a bridge between supply and demand and
connecting various industrial domains. The transportation mode responsible for
delivering the majority of goods to their ultimate destination is a crucial component of
tourism, commerce, and the overall prosperity of any given economy. It serves as a key
metric of economic vitality, contributing substantially to the Gross Domestic Product
(GDP), providing employment opportunities for millions of individuals, and serving as
the primary method for transporting both domestic and international cargo across
borders. The transportation of goods via roads accounts for over 70% of land-based
freight services at both the point of origin and destination, thereby facilitating the
connection of businesses to global markets. The future viability of the real economy is
contingent upon the state of road transportation, however, its sustainability is predicated
on the provision of enhanced transportation services rather than an increase in quantity
alone (Londono-kent, 2009).
The sector consists of transportation companies that convey goods for consignors
through the utilisation of commercial motor vehicles. Consumer spending and
manufacturing output are the primary drivers of demand. The efficiency of operations is
a crucial factor that determines the profitability of individual companies. Major
corporations possess certain benefits in terms of account connections, procurement of
fuel in large quantities, possession of a sizable fleet, and availability of drivers.
Small-scale enterprises can engage in competition by offering prompt delivery, catering
to a regional customer base, or transporting atypical merchandise. The trucking industry
is in competition with alternative modes of cargo transportation such as rail, air, and
water. The current trend towards intermodal transportation indicates that these delivery
modes are frequently supplementary rather than adversarial (Londono-kent, 2009).

Figure 2: Road freight transport in the EU
Source: Eurostat, 2018
3.0 Fossil fuel consumption for road freight transportation
According to a cited source, the emissions of carbon dioxide from the transportation
industry are predominantly attributed to road transport, accounting for 75% of the total
global emissions. As per the findings of the International Energy Agency (IEA), the
aggregate energy consumption in the transportation sector amounted to 92 EJ in the
year 2009. Among this, 40 EJ was attributed to freight transport, wherein 23 EJ was
contributed by the utilisation of diesel in heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) and medium-duty
vehicles (MDVs). Road freight transport is significantly reliant on non-renewable energy
sources and poses a formidable challenge in terms of achieving carbon neutrality (IEA,
2015; IEA, 2012).
In the absence of intervention, it is estimated that the demand for oil in the road freight
sector will increase by 5 million barrels per day by 2050. This represents approximately
40% of the anticipated rise in global oil demand during that time frame. The anticipated
expansion is projected to result in a substantial rise in carbon dioxide emissions
amounting to approximately 900 million tonnes by 2050. This increase is equivalent to
the level of emissions growth observed in both the power and industry sectors
combined, as a result of coal usage (GFEI, 2017).

3.1 Economic versus environmental need to reduce dependence on fossil fuel
consumption for freight transportation
The European Green Deal has established an objective of decreasing greenhouse gas
emissions related to transport by 90% by the year 2050, which is indicative of the
aforementioned concern. The Commission aims to attain this objective by formulating a
comprehensive strategy for the transportation sector of the European Union, which will
guarantee its assimilation into an environmentally sustainable, technologically
advanced, and forward-looking economy (Fetting, 2020). The primary characteristics of
the sustainable and intelligent transportation plan are illustrated in Figure 3.
Fig. 3: Defining the developmental steps of a green and intelligent transportation
plan
Source: Getting, 2020
Extensive research has been conducted on the environmental impacts of global
economic growth, which include the emission of greenhouse gases that contribute to
climate change and the overexploitation of fossil fuels. The study conducted by Wang
(2020) examines the European Union's 15 member states as a case study. Specifically,
the author compares Finland's gross domestic product (GDP), traffic volume, and
carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions resulting from driving during the period spanning from
1970 to 2001 with those of the EU-15 as a whole. Wang presents a thorough theoretical
structure for the concept of decoupling, delineating its various stages. The present
article employs a static method to examine the energy consumption and carbon dioxide

emissions in the Italian transportation sector during the period of 1980 to 1995, as
emphasised by Chovancová (2023). By employing a decomposition technique, the
individual ascertains that the primary factor responsible for this trend is the
augmentation of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Bonilla and Bonilla's (2020) findings
demonstrate that the rise in UK GDP remains unaffected by road freight transit, which is
a positive outcome in terms of policy. However, their research also reveals that the
overall environmental benefits resulting from this phenomenon are relatively limited.
The study conducted by Brockway et al. (2021) focuses on the analysis of road freight
transport in the United Kingdom, in contrast to other research works that tend to
concentrate on specific modes of transportation. Between 1989 and 2004, a state of
relative decoupling was achieved whereby the growth rate of energy consumption in
road freight transport was comparatively lower than that of the Gross Domestic Product
(GDP). The study indicates that among the member states of the European Union (EU),
the United Kingdom has demonstrated the most effective approach in mitigating the
adverse ecological impacts of road freight transport on the Gross Domestic Product
(GDP). Decoupling transpired as a consequence of a decline in the production value
relative to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Wang et al (2019) conducted a study on
the decoupling of Scotland's economic growth, transportation expansion, and carbon
emissions. The argument posits that decoupling transportation requirements from
economic expansion is crucial for achieving enduring sustainability.
3.2 The implementation of alternative technologies in transportation has been
proposed as a means to mitigate petrol emissions and reduce fuel consumption.
The global emissions of greenhouse gases from the transportation sector are a matter
of great concern. Engineers working in the automotive industry have been diligently
working to reduce these emissions. Academic: Researchers have allocated significant
resources to the substitution of traditional energy sources with alternative fuels, as well
as the development of various driving techniques aimed at improving traffic flow,
reducing congestion, and mitigating the emission of greenhouse gases. Automobiles
are recognised for their emission of substantial amounts of Carbon Monoxide (CO),
hydrocarbons (HC), carbon dioxide (CO2), particulate matter (PM), and oxides of
nitrogen (NOx). Nasir et al. (2014) posit that the utilisation of intelligent transportation

system (ITS) technologies holds promise in reducing fuel consumption and mitigating
pollutant emissions.
The domain of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) is presently witnessing a surge
in the significance attributed to the topic of energy preservation. The increase in
petroleum costs has a significant impact on global economic developments. The drivers
display a sense of unease with regards to their monthly budgetary allocation and their
consumption of fuel. The excessive utilisation of petroleum not only incurs elevated
costs but also culminates in a heightened discharge of contaminants. As per the study
conducted by Nasir et al. (2014), the Texas A&M Transportation Institute discovered that
individuals residing in urban areas of the United States are compelled to expend an
additional 5.5 billion hours on travel and procure an extra 2.9 billion gallons of fuel
owing to traffic congestion. The outcome of this situation leads to a congestion cost
amounting to $121 billion. Additionally, the research findings indicate that the
prevalence of urban congestion in the year 2011 resulted in the emission of an extra 56
billion pounds of Carbon Monoxide (CO) and other greenhouse gases into the earth's
atmosphere. The issue of environmental pollution is currently widespread and has
significant impacts on the global community. The diminution of petroleum usage has the
potential to alleviate the discharge of contaminants and maintain an ecologically
sustainable condition. Despite the extensive research conducted in the field of fuel and
energy concerning alternative fuels. Nasir et al. (2014) assert that several scholars have
endeavoured to enhance vehicle modernization by prioritising fuel efficiency and
economically viable environmentally sustainable technology. The automotive sector has
also endeavoured to address this matter.
The concept of Integrated Transportation Systems (ITS) involves the integration of
electronic and information technologies into transportation systems and vehicles,
facilitating communication through both wired and wireless means. The present-day
methodology for sustainable technology facilitates the conversion of both singular
automobiles and complete fleets of vehicles into eco-friendly means of transportation.
The emergence of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) has brought about a
substantial transformation in the realm of transportation technology. Intelligent
Transportation Systems (ITS) encompass a wide array of techniques and technologies,

including Real-Time Traffic Information Systems (TIS), Electronic Toll Collection
Systems (ETCS), and Automated Traffic Light Control Systems (ATLCS).
Communication, control, electronic, and computer technologies are utilised to enhance
the effectiveness of road transportation systems. Intelligent Transportation Systems
(ITS) technologies are not solely theoretical or conjectural, but instead are concrete and
actively utilised in multiple countries. Any nation that prioritises the development and
utilisation of these technologies can access them. The technologies related to Intelligent
Transportation Systems (ITS) are not merely speculative or futuristic in nature. Rather,
they are currently in existence in several nations and can be accessed by any country
that places emphasis on their advancement and implementation (Nasir &
Whaiduzzaman, 2012; Nasir et al., 2014).
4.0 Conclusion
The objectives of legislation and initiatives pertaining to transport energy efficiency
encompass enhancements in the technical performance of vehicles (such as
certification of compliance and emissions regulations), as well as the shift towards more
energy-efficient transportation modes. By transitioning to renewable energy sources,
individuals can decrease their carbon footprint and contribute to the long-term
sustainability of the planet.

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