Title: Road traffic emissions and emission reduction targets: case of Highway E18 in South-East Finland

Authors: Oskari Lähdeaho; Olli-Pekka Hilmola

Addresses: LUT University, Kouvola Unit, Tykkitie 1, FIN-45100 Kouvola, Finland ' LUT University, Kouvola Unit, Tykkitie 1, FIN-45100 Kouvola, Finland; Tallinn University of Technology (Taltech), Estonian Maritime Academy, Kopli 101, 11712 Tallinn, Estonia

Abstract: Transportation accounts for approximately a quarter of global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, and it is the only sector where emissions have been increasing over the past few decades. European Union (EU) has set carbon reduction targets for the transportation sector to 2050. This research examines the situation in Finland through the eastern section of a main highway. Traffic volumes on the examined highway (E18) were gathered from 2010 to 2019. Thereafter, an emissions inventory was synthesised with open data on traffic volumes, national vehicle fleet characteristics and corresponding emissions factors. The total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have risen slightly, while air pollutant emissions have decreased. This is primarily due to vehicle fleet renewal and decreased heavy road traffic. Also, a hypothetical scenario is built, which indicates that reaching the EU's decarbonisation goals in the study region via electrification requires the extent to cover all passenger vehicles and vans.

Keywords: road traffic; emissions; monitoring; reduction; environmental sustainability; case study; Finland.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBPSCM.2021.117912

International Journal of Business Performance and Supply Chain Modelling, 2021 Vol.12 No.3, pp.306 - 327

Received: 05 Jan 2021
Accepted: 20 Apr 2021
Published online: 04 Oct 2021 *

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