Indicator: A-35 Projections of motor vehicle travel and pollutant emissions
Data
Projections of major pollutants from motor vehicles, 1990-2020
Source: Department of Transport and Regional Services 2003, Urban Pollutant Emissions from Motor Vehicles: Australian Trends to 2020, Department of Transport and Regional Services, Canberra, Table 3.3 (p119), table 3.4 (p.120), table 3.7 (p.123) and table 3.8 (p.124)
Projections of national kilometres travelled, 1990-2020
Source: Department of Transport and Regional Services 2003, Urban Pollutant Emissions from Motor Vehicles: Australian Trends to 2020, Department of Transport and Regional Services, Canberra, Table 3.3 (p119), table 3.4 (p.120), table 3.7 (p.123) and table 3.8 (p.124)
What the data mean
The data is based on projections of kilometres to be travelled by 2020 across all modes of road transport. The data shows a projected growth of 70 percent in kilometres travelled over the reporting period, 1990 to 2020. Of total kilometres travelled, around 73 percent is accounted for by cars including four wheel drive passenger vehicles.
Pollutant emissions are projected to decrease over the period 1990 to 2020 but still remain at significant levels. The major emissions included in this study were carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter. All with the exception of particulate matter are estimated to decrease over the period, with levels of particulate matter remaining fairly constant.
The decrease in emissions in the face of increased vehicle kilometres travelled will occur as a result of improvements in the average emissions performance of the vehicle fleet over the period and fuel standards.
Data Limitations
The data is based on different scenarios and assumptions. The data may change if different assumptions are made.
Issues for which this is an indicator and why
Atmosphere — Air quality - Air quality - pressures and responses
The transport sector is one of the major causes of air pollution. Therefore, it is important to estimate what is likely to happen in the future in terms of growth in motor vehicle travel and the projected growth in major pollutant emissions from motor vehicles.
Other indicators for this issue:
- A-31 Implementation and effectiveness of National Environment Protection Measures
- A-32 Implementation of national fuel quality standards
- A-33 Implementation of wood heater programs
- A-34 Main sources of emissions of six pollutants (carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, lead, particulate matter and volatile organic compounds)
Human Settlements — Liveability of human settlements - Transport and accessibility
Motor vehicle projections are an indicator of trends in the reliance of the community on motor vehicle transport.
Other indicators for this issue:
Key
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Links to data in the DRS
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