Technology Vs. Land Use

This paper evaluates the relative importance of land use changes versus technological solutions to reducing transport-related air pollution. It suggests that land use approaches have very little prospects of reducing emissions compared to technology. The ZEV (zero emissions vehicle) mandate was the wrong route to take, primarily because of the failure to solve the battery (hence the range) problem. However, it may have stimulated the automobile companies to focus their R & D more on alternative fuel vehicles. As a result, there are two hybrid (gasoline-electric) vehicles on the U.S. market in the year 2000, the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius, with more to follow. In addition, SULEVS, such as the special versions of the Honda Accord and the Nissan Sentra-CA, are equally promising. These vehicles solve the range problem, and the power problem is getting close to solution. A key argument is that it may be easier to change vehicle preferences than residential location and dwelling type preferences, but incentives (e.g. emission fees on the popular SUVs) and other policy interventions may be needed.

Thanks to Planning & Markets Editor