The growth of transportation has brought many benefits and many problems too, which are now leading to an environmental crisis point - a crisis of energy, environmental pollution and congestion. This paper highlights these problems with particular reference to the role of the automobile in the urban environment. First, air is polluted due to automobile emissions and this comes mainly from fossil fuels used. There is carbon dioxide, an inescapable waste product and the most important gas contributing to climate change and global warming. More than 70% of air pollution may be attributed to pollution emanating from the automobile in developing countries and that this continues to rise even where motorisation levels are much lower. Policy changes are suggested in the areas of monitoring of emission and the maintenance of vehicles to reduce exhaust emissions. But the critical choice to be made is between moving people or moving vehicles to the detriment of the environment and a better cadre de vie.
Abstract