Deriving Transportation Carbon Emissions Reduction Strategy Efficiency with an Empirical Model

The study aims to analyse carbon emission data from cities that have implemented large scale public transportation systems or economic rebates or incentives to purchase and increase Zero-Emission Vehicle ZEV usage. Using a 2 way fixed-effect model that integrates the Human Development Index (HDI), population density, privately owned cars, and numerous other factors to predict the effectiveness of two contrasting strategies in reducing transport related climate change. The model will serve as a predictive tool to determine which strategy yields better, and at what specific point. Our findings show that implementation of ZEV rebates are more effective at lower values of the model, until public transportation becomes the most efficient method in semi urban areas, before dipping down in effectiveness in highly urbanized cities. Policy makers should approach reducing transport climate change in larger cities with a mixed approach, but rural and suburban areas should not invest heavily into public transportation.