Do trains pollute more than cars?

If we take an overall view of the transport sector, 71% of transportation related carbon emissions come from road users, whereas only 1.8% of emissions stem from rail travel. So in absolute terms, trains are responsible for a lot less emissions than cars.



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One of the biggest environmental benefits of trains is that they consume far less energy than other types of transport. It takes a huge amount of fuel to get a plane carrying hundreds of people airborne, whereas trains are streamlined, require much less energy to move, and are increasingly able to run on electricity.

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According to EPA data, freight railroads account for just 0.5% of total U.S. GHG emissions and just 1.7% of transportation-related GHG emissions.

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Trains are generally thought to be a green alternative to fossil fuel-heavy modes of transportation, such as cars and airplanes, but many types still burn diesel fuel. And those emissions can build up, particularly in enclosed areas. (Watch how people are trying to break their fossil fuel habit.)

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National rail emits around 35 grams per kilometer. A domestic flight emits 246 grams. So the footprint of taking the train is around 14% of a flight: [ 35 / 246 * 100 = 14%]. Taking the Eurostar emits around 4 grams of CO2 per passenger kilometer, compared to 154 grams from a short-haul flight.

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Environmental Impact Railroads emit less greenhouse gas than vehicles by up to 75 percent for the same load. Plus, with careful planning, railroads can carry more per trip, saving emissions that might otherwise go into the air.

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Car emissions are a major source of pollution. Cars and trucks emit twenty percent of all greenhouse gases emitted in the United States[1], which is the second largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world.

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Car emissions are a major source of pollution. Cars and trucks emit twenty percent of all greenhouse gases emitted in the United States[1], which is the second largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world.

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Cars are also more efficient than public transportation. They can get you to your destination faster because they are not stopping at every station as a bus or train would. Also, with public transit, you often have to deal with delays. Your bus or train might be late due to traffic or other reasons beyond your control.

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If you can't walk or cycle, then public transport is usually your best option. Trains are particularly low-carbon ways to travel. Taking a train instead of a car for medium-length distances would cut your emissions by around 80%. Using a train instead of a domestic flight would reduce your emissions by around 86%.

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Mathews points to research showing that trains emit the lowest of CO2 per passenger mile at 177 grams per passenger mile. Buses come in at 299 grams per mile, second-worst only to cars at 371 grams.

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Top polluting sector: fossil fuels It is no surprise that the fossil fuels sector is the most polluting in the world.

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Passenger vehicles are by far the most dangerous motorized transportation option compared.

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Fuel combustion, track abrasion and freight leakages cause the most soil and plant contamination, because their emissions are neither chemically, or biologically degraded.

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Long trains take longer time to stop than a single car because the braking effort is not synchronized.

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In fact, unless you're looking to venture from Los Altos to LA off-road through state parks the whole way—in a Hummer with Tonka-truck mud tires—driving is generally greener than flying.

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