Satisfying public transportation needs has been a critical component of socio-economic development in developing countries especially in urban areas. Air pollution has become a major concern in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) where private vehicles account for 96% of all passenger vehicles and account for an estimated 70% of the hydrocarbons, CO and NOx in the region. This surprising high number belies the fact that only 23% of the city's population own private cars. This work analyzes the trends in passenger travel in the MCMA between 1983 and 1990 utilizing passenger-trip per day as the main indicator. We also calculate the energy intensity of the different modes of transportation in the MCMA, measured as transportation in the MCMA, measured as energy use per passenger-kilometer. Although more efficient and less energy-intensive, we have found that between 1983 and 1990 the share of public mass transportation (Metro, urban buses, trams, trolleys and light train), decreased by almost 30%. We conclude that the rapid population rise in the City and an insufficient development of public mass transportation has provoked an increase in low-capacity vehicles with high energy intensities. This situation has contributed to the increase in traffic congestion and the worsening of the air quality of the MCMA. (A)
Samenvatting