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Impact of public transport strikes on air pollution and transport modes substitution in Barcelona

Author

Listed:
  • Lyna González

    (Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain)

  • Jordi Perdiguero Garcia

    (Department of Applied Economics, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain)

  • Alex Sanz Fernández

    (Department of Economics and Economic History, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona 08193, Bellaterra, Spain)

Abstract

Many cities in Spain are wrapped in air containing excessive levels of particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ozone, generally a problem in big cities caused by traffic. Pollutants largely associated with volume of traffic in urban cities and their outlying areas, such as Madrid and Barcelona, which is suffering from one of the worst levels of air pollution in the country. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 96.8% of Spain population breathe pollutant air. This paper shows empirical evidence about the contribution of public transport in the air quality of Barcelona using public transport strikes, through econometric analysis based on data from 2008 - 2016. During the study period, there were 147 days affected by some type of public transport strike:bus (57), metro (21), train (71) and tram (4) system, against 4 general strikes. The estimates indicate that public transit strikes have a statistically significant and positive effect on the concentration level of SO2, CO, PM10 and NOX in all over the city, especially in the case of metro and train. These results also allows us to understand better how commuters substitute transports modes between them and what policies can be implemented to increase the use of public transports.

Suggested Citation

  • Lyna González & Jordi Perdiguero Garcia & Alex Sanz Fernández, 2020. "Impact of public transport strikes on air pollution and transport modes substitution in Barcelona," Working Papers wpdea2008, Department of Applied Economics at Universitat Autonoma of Barcelona.
    • Handle: RePEc:uab:wprdea:wpdea2008
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Adler, Martin W. & van Ommeren, Jos N., 2016. "Does public transit reduce car travel externalities? Quasi-natural experiments' evidence from transit strikes," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 106-119.
    2. Anderson, Michael L, 2017. "Subways, Strikes, and Slowdowns," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt8q51g2rh, University of California Transportation Center.
    3. Stefan Bauernschuster & Timo Hener & Helmut Rainer, 2017. "When Labor Disputes Bring Cities to a Standstill: The Impact of Public Transit Strikes on Traffic, Accidents, Air Pollution, and Health," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 9(1), pages 1-37, February.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Air pollution; Public transport strike; Econometric regression analysis; Public Transport Substitution;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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