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The impact of emerging intercity travel modes on transportation decarbonization

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  • Yang, Lei
  • Ma, Shuhong
  • Chen, Xifang
  • Duan, Chaojie

Abstract

Emerging intercity travel modes, such as Customized Road Passenger Transport (CRPT) and Bus-like Railway Passenger Transport (BRPT), are restructuring multimodal transportation systems and exerting significant impacts on CO2 emissions. Using the Guan-Zhong Plain Urban Agglomeration as a case, a methodology is developed to quantify carbon emissions from intercity multimodal travel. The concept of "travel carbon flow" is introduced as a dynamic, spatial-emission network. It traces CO2 dispersion through passenger movements. A dynamic model is constructed to describe emission patterns within the multimodal transportation system. Multiple planning scenarios for CRPT and BRPT are designed. Scenario analysis is used to evaluate the decarbonization potential of these emerging intercity travel modes. The results demonstrate that private vehicle travel remains the primary contributor to carbon emissions. Carbon flow intensity is shaped by infrastructure configuration and travel demand, exhibiting spatially radiating patterns from urban cores to peripheral zones. CRPT and BRPT contribute to enhanced emission reductions and distributional equity across the urban agglomeration.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang, Lei & Ma, Shuhong & Chen, Xifang & Duan, Chaojie, 2025. "The impact of emerging intercity travel modes on transportation decarbonization," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:trapol:v:173:y:2025:i:c:s0967070x25003373
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2025.103794
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