Examining Passenger Vehicle Miles Traveled and Carbon Emissions in the Boston Metropolitan Area

TL;DR

This study analyzes passenger vehicle miles traveled and associated carbon emissions in Boston using spatial, econometric, and visualization tools, comparing different emission estimation methods and identifying factors influencing VMT to inform climate mitigation strategies.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive spatial econometric analysis of VMT and emissions in Boston, integrating multiple datasets and providing actionable insights for urban climate policy.

Findings

Socioeconomic and built environment factors significantly influence VMT.

Comparison of production-based and consumption-based emission estimates.

Recommendations for policy pathways to reduce VMT and emissions.

Abstract

With spatial analytic, econometric, and visualization tools, this book chapter investigates greenhouse gas emissions for the on-road passenger vehicle transport sector in the Boston metropolitan area in 2014. It compares greenhouse gas emission estimations from both the production-based and consumption-based perspectives with two large-scale administrative datasets: the vehicle odometer readings from individual vehicle annual inspection, and the road inventory data containing road segment level geospatial and traffic information. Based on spatial econometric models that examine socioeconomic and built environment factors contributing to the vehicle miles traveled at the census tract level, it offers insights to help cities reduce VMT and carbon footprint for passenger vehicle travel. Finally, it recommends a pathway for cities and towns in the Boston metropolitan area to curb VMT and mitigate carbon emissions to achieve climate goals of carbon neutrality.