Environmental impact assessment of the employment of methane-run buses: a case study analysis for Padua, Italy

This paper analyzes the impact of new fuel technologies in connection with emission standards on public transport emissions as basis for traffic planner’s decision making in Padua (Italy) in the period of time before construction works for the introduction of a tram network was planned. After analyzing the public and private transport system in the most critical urban environment of Padua, first, an engineering model is constructed to technically calculate the environmental impact of methane-run buses (Euro IV) in comparison to buses running on other types of fuel. Afterwards, similar results are obtained by using (pseudo) data in reduced form relations. Finally, the quantification of transport externalities is discussed, whereby different methods of environmental valuation are pointed out with special emphasize on health issues. The results of this study will be used as a basis for future comparative research assessing the social and environmental impact of public policy measures that have been implemented.