Cars and Driving Flashcards
Lesson 5
when should roads be built
when anticipated consumer surplus is greater than cost
what happens if a stupid road is built?
-no reason not to use it, just use it as is
What are externalities
-road damage, noise, foreign oil dependence, local pollution, global pollution/global warming, accidents, congestion
Describe dependence on oil
if we want to be independent from foreign counties we should use their oil NOW, and save up our own for LATER
Describe wide area pollution
Major issue is climate change, GHGs (greenhouse gases)
What is local pollution primarily associated with?
Particulate matter (PM), especially small particulate matter (PM2.5)
Local pollution is a significant environmental issue linked to health risks.
What are the main sources of particulate matter in local pollution?
Vehicle emissions and road dust
These sources contribute significantly to air quality degradation.
Who bears the external costs of local pollution from vehicles?
Other motorists, especially in congestion
This highlights the social costs associated with vehicular pollution.
How does diesel fuel compare to standard fuels in terms of pollution?
Diesel is much worse for PM and nitrous oxide
Diesel engines emit higher levels of harmful pollutants than standard gasoline engines.
What is required to mitigate the pollution from diesel vehicles?
Installation of a lot of scrubbers
Scrubbers help reduce emissions of harmful pollutants from diesel engines.
Why does Europe encourage the use of diesel vehicles?
For greenhouse gas (GHG) reasons
Diesel engines are often perceived as more fuel-efficient, thus lowering GHG emissions per mile.
What is a concern regarding diesel vehicles in big European cities?
Breathing in diesel emissions is not always a good idea
The health risks associated with diesel pollution can outweigh its GHG benefits.
What is a notable difference between diesel regulations in the US and Europe?
The US requires engines to meet PM and nitrous oxide standards
This results in a lower prevalence of diesel vehicles in the US market.
How did Volkswagen manipulate diesel emissions testing?
By turning off the scrubbers when the car wasn’t being tested
This allowed the vehicles to perform better during tests while emitting more pollution in real-world conditions.
What is road damage dependent on
-miles times weight3/axle
-buses/trucks weigh 10-20 times passenger cars
Possible solutions to road damage
-implement a tax on truck or bus mileage
In which income categories are 90% of road traffic injuries concentrated?
Low and middle income countries
This statistic emphasizes the disproportionate impact of road traffic accidents on lower-income populations.
What demographic is primarily affected by road traffic deaths?
Children and young adults
Despite being the second leading cause of death among prime age workers, many victims are still children.
Who are mainly victims in developing countries?
mainly pedestrians and bicyclists
This figure is significantly higher than many other countries, indicating severe road safety issues.
what is the formula for crashes
(death/population) = (death/cars) x (cars/population)
What factors contribute to higher traffic deaths in developing countries?
Bad roads, bad cops, bad drivers
These conditions increase the likelihood of accidents and fatalities.
What happens to traffic death rates as income rises in developing countries like India or China?
The second factor (deaths/car) increases quickly, while the first factor (cars/population) decreases slowly
This leads to an initial surge in traffic deaths followed by a peak as safety measures improve.
What is the moral hazard associated with better roads and cars?
Better roads and better cars may lead to less careful driving
This phenomenon can result in increased risks despite improved infrastructure.
What is an incentive to avoid accidents through not driving or driving more carefully
Vehicle Miles Traveled tax, private insurance market
This tax is designed to incentivize drivers to reduce their travel, thereby potentially lowering accident rates.
