How Mobility Systems Shape our Planet
Climate Cost of Getting Around
Emissions and Climate Change: From Freeways to Carbon Footprints
Transportation is one of the largest contributers to greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Responsible for nearly 30% of all emissions. As engineers, we must consider not just how to move people efficiently, but how to design systems that protect the air we breathe, the water we depend on, and the planet that we all share.
Want to know the estimate of your greenhouse gas emissions from transportation activities? Click the link below!
Vehicles and planes burn fossil fuels and release pollutants into the atmosphere which contribute to climate change and harming public health. In urban areas, traffic corridors are often pollution hotspots that disproportionately affect low-income communities. While highways are built to relieve congestion, they often lead to induced demand, where more lanes simply create more traffic and emissions. The shift toward public transit is one of the most effective ways to reduce overall emissions, especially in growing cities.
How do different modes of transportation stack up carbon input?
Green Infrastructure & Eco-Design
Environmental sustainability is not just about the fuel types it's also about how we build as well as where we build. Infrastructure like wildlife crossings and green corridors reduce harm to ecosystems while improving safety. The projects below display how transportation engineering can integrate with natural systems rather than disrupt them.