Comparing Carbon Emissions Across Transportation Modes for a 5-Mile Urban Trip in Spokane, Washington
Faculty Mentor
E.D. Dascher
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
4-14-2026 9:00 AM
End Date
4-14-2026 11:00 AM
Location
PUB NCR
Primary Discipline of Presentation
Urban and Regional Planning
Abstract
Transportation plays a significant role in shaping local greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly in mid-sized cities where automobile use remains dominant. This project examines how carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions differ across transportation modes for a standardized five-mile urban trip in Spokane, Washington. Using emission factors from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the study estimates grams of CO2 per passenger-mile and total CO2 emissions per trip for four transportation modes, including single-occupancy vehicles, public transit, cycling, and walking. Commute pattern data from American Community Survey (ACS) provided local context on travel behavior in Spokane. This analysis highlights substantial differences in emissions across transportation modes. Single-occupancy vehicles generate the highest emissions, while public transit produces significantly lower emissions per passenger. Active transportation modes such as cycling and walking generate no direct carbon emissions. These findings demonstrate the potential environmental benefits of shifting travel behavior toward more sustainable transportation options. By focusing on Spokane, this project situates national climate concerns within a local planning context. The findings contribute to broader discussions of sustainable transportation planning, infrastructure investment, and realistic pathways for reducing transportation-related emissions in mid-sized American cities.
Recommended Citation
Agyei, Christian, "Comparing Carbon Emissions Across Transportation Modes for a 5-Mile Urban Trip in Spokane, Washington" (2026). 2026 Symposium. 48.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2026/ps_2026/p1_2026/48
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Comparing Carbon Emissions Across Transportation Modes for a 5-Mile Urban Trip in Spokane, Washington
PUB NCR
Transportation plays a significant role in shaping local greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly in mid-sized cities where automobile use remains dominant. This project examines how carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions differ across transportation modes for a standardized five-mile urban trip in Spokane, Washington. Using emission factors from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the study estimates grams of CO2 per passenger-mile and total CO2 emissions per trip for four transportation modes, including single-occupancy vehicles, public transit, cycling, and walking. Commute pattern data from American Community Survey (ACS) provided local context on travel behavior in Spokane. This analysis highlights substantial differences in emissions across transportation modes. Single-occupancy vehicles generate the highest emissions, while public transit produces significantly lower emissions per passenger. Active transportation modes such as cycling and walking generate no direct carbon emissions. These findings demonstrate the potential environmental benefits of shifting travel behavior toward more sustainable transportation options. By focusing on Spokane, this project situates national climate concerns within a local planning context. The findings contribute to broader discussions of sustainable transportation planning, infrastructure investment, and realistic pathways for reducing transportation-related emissions in mid-sized American cities.
