Transformative Growth Opportunity #4
Congestion is costing cities billions of dollars annually, including direct costs such as loss in work hours or efficiency, higher emissions, as well as indirect health-related costs related to poor air quality.
European cities have set the benchmark in terms of sustainable transportation by actively promoting non-car usage. Most Tier 1 cities in Europe have also implemented comprehensive and stringent regulations on emissions and emission standards. Fees levied on vehicles that fail to meet emissions standards are invested in improving public transport services and availability.
The Smart Sustainability Index examines four key aspects of sustainable transportation: public transport usage and infrastructure; electrification; travel inefficiencies including congestion, and carbon emissions; and regulations that advance sustainability such as low-emission zones (LEZs) and congestion charge zones (CCZs) together with long-term targets such as Zero Carbon Deadline, and Diesel Ban.