Sustainable transport has a low impact on the environment. Electric buses and trains are some examples of green transport; others include bicycling, walking, sailing, electric scooters, or carpooling in electric vehicles. While these options exist now, many cities are thinking about tomorrow’s potential opportunities as new technologies regarding clean fuels emerge. 

What Are the Benefits of Sustainable Transportation?

Both individuals and large populations can expect benefits from sustainable transport. The chief advantage is reduced carbon emissions that are inherent in fossil fuel use. Using public transportation can reduce CO2 emissions by a whopping 45%, which helps improve air quality for everyone. Each gasoline-burning vehicle on the road, on average, will release a pound of CO2 into the air for each driven mile. Simply by using public transportation, commuters can help reduce harmful CO2 emissions. 

With cleaner air, cities can bank on an increasingly healthier population. Air pollution can cause respiratory complaints. It can trigger asthma attacks and even play a role in the development of some cancers. Sustainable transport not only supports the health of the earth but its people (and animals). In fact, by promoting certain forms of sustainable transport like bicycling and walking, cities can also support improved fitness for their residents. 

The Future of Sustainable Transportation in the U.S. 

The future of sustainable transport in the U.S. is mainly dependent on cities and their voters. Voters have an opportunity to vote for leaders who either support sustainable initiatives or don’t. Those who do not favor green transport alternatives to the status quo may, instead, support the cause of automobile manufacturers and the gas and oil industries who have a stake in maintaining transportation or supporting sustainable change slowly and with more trepidation and concern for the current economy. 

The issues surrounding sustainability are complex. However, the cities embracing sustainable transport practices now may provide a blueprint for those cities and their voters who approach the topic with more caution. 

Sustainable transport’s future will rely on smart policies and improved technology to ensure that eco-friendly solutions are both affordable and reliable. While electric train use is commonplace in many cities, electric car use is still in its early stages. With improved battery backup for electric storage, the construction of more electric charging stations, and the production of affordable electric vehicles, this form of eco-friendly transport is likely to increase in cities across the country.