Researchers at the ITACA-UPV have conducted a thorough study that addresses the potential for decarbonisation in the mobility sector in the city of Valencia and its metropolitan area, identifying critical and vulnerable areas and proposing strategic improvements.
The study, published in Applied Sciences, reveals that customised sustainable mobility strategies can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improving both accessibility and urban quality of life. This is the main result of the research carried out by researchers from UPV’s ITACA Institute, Eloína Coll Aliaga and Victoria Lerma Arce.
The study underlines the urgency of addressing the high levels of traffic and congestion in the city and its metropolitan area.
‘In 2017, the transport sector accounted for 27% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union. In València, more than 50% of CO₂ emissions come from private and commercial transport, according to the city’s Sustainable Climate and Energy Action Plan. Furthermore, the Basic Mobility Plan for the metropolitan area of Valencia indicates that 40% of journeys in the province are concentrated in this area, where only 13% use public transport, compared to 41% who opt for the private car,’ explains Eloína Coll.
Fieldwork and results
To develop the research, a rigorous analysis of the context and existing mobility plans was conducted, complemented by a detailed study of sustainable travel at high spatial resolution using geographic information systems (GIS).
‘This focus on mobility patterns and emissions allows us to identify specific areas where decarbonisation efforts can be most effective,’ says Eloína Coll.
Among the results, the identification of critical areas that require specific interventions to reduce private vehicle use and improve public transport stands out.
‘The analysis identifies neighbourhoods such as Arrancapins with high CO₂ and NOx emissions, while others, such as El Calvari and Les Tendetes, have significantly lower levels. These data reflect differences influenced by factors such as population density, industrial activities and traffic. Furthermore, there are neighbourhoods that were highly dependent on private transport, which makes it a key area for interventions to promote the use of public transport,’ says Victoria Lerma.
Assessment of infrastructures and proposals for decarbonisation
Regarding the current infrastructure, the UPV team identified unequal access to public transport, especially in the metropolitan area. This raises the need for decentralised planning and an extension of routes and frequencies in less covered areas.
‘In municipalities such as Paterna and Torrent, public transport infrastructure needs to be improved due to the amount of population commuting to the city and other localities. In contrast, the central districts of Valencia enjoy high accessibility. Areas such as the City of Arts and Sciences show a positive trend towards sustainable mobility, balancing the use of private and public transport,’ says Victoria Lerma.
Among the main decarbonisation measures proposed, the study suggests implementing a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system to optimise bus routes such as the one already being implemented on Blasco Ibáñez Avenue and improve the efficiency of public transport. It also advocates the progressive electrification of transport fleets, replacing conventional buses with electric or low-emission buses, which would directly impact CO₂ reduction and air quality.
Given the insufficient charging infrastructure – with only 64 charging points for 50,000 sustainable vehicles in the region – an expansion of charging points is also recommended. Additionally, the promotion of active mobility and the use of bicycles is another key recommendation.
‘It is crucial to increase and improve parking for bicycles and electric scooters, given the gap between supply and demand,’ says Eloina Coll.
The role of ridesharing
The analysis also highlighted the importance of making car-sharing services visible, especially in the business and technology sectors, to reduce CO₂ emissions and optimise vehicle use.
‘Low awareness of car-sharing is a significant obstacle in Valencia; it is essential to improve its visibility through active promotion by companies and the City Council,’ says Victoria Lerma, who highlights the Paterna Technology Park campaign as an example to follow.
In conclusion, the authors of the study emphasise the essential role of efficient public transport in reducing emissions, promoting sustainable mobility and mitigating pollutants.
‘This work highlights the crucial role of public transport in reducing emissions, promoting sustainable mobility and improving air quality. The proposed measures align with global sustainability efforts and demonstrate the importance of specific interventions to achieve more responsible urban mobility,’ conclude the UPV researchers.