CO2 emission modeling for intercity trucking demand in Colombia

Abstract

Trucking is among the most significant factors in generating supply chain pollution in developing countries like Colombia, and it serves as the primary means of transportation for commodities. Due to its impact on human health, flora, and fauna, pollution associated with trucking and its externalities are studied in public health, environmental, planning, and economic scenarios. However, there is a lack of understanding of its generation in developing countries with special topographic, social, and environmental characteristics, such as Latin American countries. Using data acquired from the Colombian Logistics Portal (CLP), an information system from the Colombian Department of Transportation (CDOT), the authors examined carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced by freight intercity trucking trips in the five most essential logistics corridors of the country. The Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) technique estimated econometric emission generation models (EGMs) between any Origin-Destination (O–D) pair for cargo movement in Colombia using the explanatory variables traveled distance, roadway slope, and cargo movement. This research aims to complement and generate information about pollution caused by freight transportation in Colombia and other developing countries with similar characteristics for future forecasting and policies focused on sustainable transportation. Freight policy outcomes and analyses are provided.