Table 21.1 - Overview of significant transport impacts on the environment

Sources: EEA-TF, based on OECD, 1991; UNEP, 1992

Environmental media Transport activity Air Water Soil/Land Nature and wildlife/Landscapes
Road transport combustion of petroleum products -> emissions of NOx, CO, CO2, VOCs, particulate matter -> local to global environmental impacts, health effectsrunoff containing oil, salts and solvents from road surfaces -> pollution of surface and groundwater road construction -> land lost for infrastructure and service stations -> pressure and fragmentation of land resources extraction of road-building materials and road construction ->landscape degradation
NOx and VOCs emissions -> tropospheric O3, and PAN NOx and SO2 emissions -> acidificationtransport of hazardous substances -> risk of accidents -> soil contamination and human casualties infrastructure -> severance and fragmentation of habitats, possible hindrance to wildlife migration
use and release of fuel and additives -> emissions of lead and VOCs (eg, benzene) roads -> modification to hydrological systemsdiscarded vehicles, waste oil, batteries, old tyres, old cars -> disposal problem
road transport -> noise and air pollution (and human casualties)
Rail transport electricity power generation to run electric trains -> air emissions railways -> modification to hydrological systems transport of hazardous substances -> risk of accidents dereliction of obsolete facilities -> landscape degradation
diesel trains -> emissions to airrailway infrastructure -> possible hindrance to wildlife migration
steam trains (coal powered) -> emissions to air
Water transport (maritime and inland)concentrated harbour activities -> emissions to airdischarge of ballast water from ships -> water pollutiondisposal of dredged material from canal construction and dredging -> waste disposal problemconstruction of shipping berths and channels -> landscape impacts
enclosed seas and crowded traffic routes -> emissions to airaccidental and operational spills at seas (including oil) -> water pollutionterminal dereliction -> landscape impacts
bunkering of fuel and loading of fuel -> emissions to air (VOCs)sewage and waste from ships -> water pollutioncanalisation of rivers -> landscape impacts
antifouling paints -> water pollution
transport of hazardous substances -> risk of potential accidents
Air transportaircraft -> emissions of NOx and CO2 (high emissions especially during take-off, taxiing and landing) -> ground level smog and acid rainrunoff from airports containing oil and anti-freeze -> water pollutionconstruction of airports -> pressure on land resourcesextraction of airport building materials -> landscape degradation
contributions to stratospheric ozone depletion and global warming at higher levels; contrailsairport construction -> modification of hydrological systemsairport construction -> landscape changes
associated road traffic at airports -> increased emissionsairport construction -> disruption of ecological areas
Pipelines-> emissions to air (CH4) -> global warmingleaks of oil -> potential water pollution possible barrier to wildlife migration if above ground