A leading environmental expert
has said that, The invention of
the internal combustion engine
is the biggest environmental
disaster to affect the Earth.
In what ways are motor vehicles a
threat to the environment?
Refer to p.5
Air pollution
Noise pollution
Water pollution
Land pollution
Energy crises
Global warming
Summarize the pollutants from motor
vehicles and their associated health
risks.
Carbon monoxide Oxygen shortage
Nitrous oxides Affect CNS, oxygen shortage
Lead Affect mental development in
children
Hydrocarbons Carcinogenic
Smog Eye irritation, impair respiratory
system
Which fuel, petrol or diesel, you think causes
more pollution problems? Why?
Refer to p. 7, 8 for diesel and p. 6 for petrol
Petrol using engines emit more carbon monoxide
and hydrocarbon than the diesel using engines.
Diesel 75% of NO, 45% RSPs, many particulates
(tiny pieces of carbon) which cause bronchitis,
asthma and cardiovascular problems and PAHs
(polyaromatic) which is carcinogenic.
While diesel engines represent only 38%
of the licensed vehicles on Hong Kong’s
road, they travel 65% of the vehicle
kilometres and emit 82% of the nitrous
oxides and 98% of the vehicle created
RSPs.
What is the projected increase in the total
number of vehicles?
Refer to p.2
The total number of vehicles is
projected to increase by 130%
between 1986 and 2001, from 261000
to 610000. The most significant
increase would be in the number of
private cars and goods vehicles.
What type(s) of vehicles will increase
most in number?
The number of private cars and
motorcycles is projected to increase by
152%, from 144000 in 1986 to 363000 in
2001. The number of goods vehicles is
estimated to increase by 140%, from
84000 in 1986 to 202000 in 2001 if there
is not any further measures to restrict
ownership or usage.
Can you suggest some reasons for that?
Fast economic growth
Increase transport demand and car ownership
Dispersal of population
Shifting of infrastructure and transport development to
the western side which increase trip length.
Increase transport with the mainland China (person trips
increase 40% and daily goods vehicles trips increase
139%).
Distribution of population (new towns) and places of
employment (H. K. Island) – increase the number of long
trips
Consequences:
Increase vehicle number, travel demand,
trip length and growth in congestion
Increase pollution.
Mobility of people and goods impeded
downgrade the quality of life strains in
the economy.
Make a list of possible ways to curb
pollution contributed by motor vehicles.
Arrange them in descending order of
effectiveness.
Possibility to cut down the emission:
Using catalytic converters (refer to p.8).
Introduce the use of unleaded petrol (Refer to p. 6
and p.14).
Shifting to use petrol instead of diesel (refer to
p.7 for the obstacles). Any way to cut down the
difference between petrol and diesel?
Introduce the Electronic Road Pricing
Scheme to prevent the poor use of road
(refer to p. 4 and p. 9)
Punitive tariffs for illegal parking on p. 11
Increase the first registration tax and
driving licence fees on p. 9
Build more roads Vs geographical limit on
p. 11
Improve the public transport on p. 10 and
p. 15.
What are the short-term and long-term
impacts to Hong Kong if the above measures
have taken to curb pollution contributed by
motor vehicles?
Short-term – Negative:
Increase costs in anti-pollution measures.
Increase costs in maintenance.
More government expenses in monitoring and
control.
Reduce the competitiveness.
Long-term – Positive:
Improve health – increase working
efficiency.
Better environment – favour economic
growth.
Higher living standard and quality of life.
More environmentally concerned industries
favoured by western countries.