The Impacts of Car-Free Days and Events on the Environment and Human Health

Abstract

Purpose of review In this paper, we seek to elucidate the impact of car-free days and events on human health. Car-free days and events are often designed to alleviate the impact of transportation-related air pollution, noise, physical inactivity, traffic congestion, or other detrimental externalities of private motor vehicle travel. We reviewed existing peer-reviewed and gray literature to understand the variety of potential public health impacts that have been measured as a result of car-free days or events and associated changes in environmental exposures and lifestyles. Recent findings The impacts of car-free days and events are highly variable and seem to depend on the scope (frequency, duration, and geographic size) and goals of each car-free day and event. Most of the existing literature measures impacts in terms of air and noise pollution and some studies focus on physical activity metrics. In some cases, car-free days and events were successful in reducing the concentration of certain air pollutants but had little or adverse impacts on the concentration of others. Often, traffic is diverted from cordoned areas to surrounding streets, displacing traffic congestion and adverse environmental exposures to other areas of a city, with potential understudied implications to environmental justice. Summary Car-free days and events are often an attractive policy option; however, they require intensive planning to be successful. The organization and execution of car-free days and events, as well as public support and stakeholder engagement, greatly influence the level of success and the sustainability of such initiatives. Health benefits may be a palatable and convincing argument to the general public. However, very few studies focus on actual health impacts associated with car-free days and events. Future research could be most useful if it focused on measuring health outcomes associated with car-free days and events through longitudinal studies.

Challenge and Innovation in Building the Green and Sustainable Transportation System at Universitas Diponegoro

“…Adding the existing programs and initiatives, we plan to conduct Car Free Day to improve awareness and let the staff and students experience the net zero emission environment. As study proves that car free day programs establish effective solutions in reducing air pollution 11 . We also plan to add the fifth element which is incentives by arranging Incentives for students and staff who use zero emission vehicles like on foot, bicycle, electric motorcycles, or cars.…”

Decongesting NH-57 via Nayagarh Town by Bypass, Odisha, India

“…The ground network is an essential pre-requisite for rapid economic evolution, production, and distribution where the road infrastructure act a pivotal role in the development of transport, agriculture, communication, tourism or healthcare sector, etc. Present trend of the study is the use of odd-even numbers plying over roads and Car-Zero Days and Trials that have the best sustainable impact on human health, environment, and ecosystem, Glazener et al [26], Sahu et al [27].…”

Trailblazing Road Safety and Commuter’s “Vision Zero Planning” in NH-55 (Angul Sector)

“…But these vehicles have disadvantages of the RTA, RTDs, RTIs, environmental deterioration, and economic loss on collision. This can be the result of poor wheel alignment, burst tires, failed brakes, overloading, one or more headlight, backlight, indication, or steering defects, [56,57].…”