title: Traffic-related air pollution and health co-benefits of alternative transport in Adelaide, South Australia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Motor vehicle emissions contribute nearly a quarter of the world's energy-related greenhouse gases and cause non-negligible air pollution, primarily in urban areas. Changing people's travel behaviour towards alternative transport is an efficient approach to mitigate harmful environmental impacts caused by a large number of vehicles. Such a strategy also provides an opportunity to gain health co-benefits of improved air quality and enhanced physical activities. This study aimed at quantifying co-benefit effects of alternative transport use in Adelaide, South Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We made projections for a business-as-usual scenario for 2030 with alternative transport scenarios. Separate models including air pollution models and comparative risk assessment health models were developed to link alternative transport scenarios with possible environmental and health benefits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the study region with an estimated population of 1.4 million in 2030, by shifting 40% of vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) by passenger vehicles to alternative transport, annual average urban PM2.5 would decline by approximately 0.4μg/m(3) compared to business-as-usual, resulting in net health benefits of an estimated 13deaths/year prevented and 118 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) prevented per year due to improved air quality. Further health benefits would be obtained from improved physical fitness through active transport (508deaths/year prevented, 6569DALYs/year prevented), and changes in traffic injuries (21 deaths and, 960 DALYs prevented).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although uncertainties remain, our findings suggest that significant environmental and health benefits are possible if alternative transport replaces even a relatively small portion of car trips. The results may provide assistance to various government organisations and relevant service providers and promote collaboration in policy-making, city planning and infrastructure establishment.
authors.affiliation: School of Population Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: Ting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.affiliation: The Department for Health and Ageing, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nitschke
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: ying.zhang@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Environment Protection Authority, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Pushan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: School of Population Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: Shona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Crabb
authors.affiliation: School of Population Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: Alana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hansen
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001642:Bicycling; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D018986:Motor Vehicles; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013021:South Australia; D014186:Transportation; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000032:analysis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D002245:Carbon Dioxide
keywords: Active transport; Air pollution; Health impact assessment; Physical activity; Public transport; Traffic injury