THE GEOGRAPHY OF TRANSPORT SYSTEMS
| Field | Types of Pollutants | Contribution of Transportation | Possible Measures |
| Structures and infrastructure | Ozone, Smog, Particulates, Acid rain | Vehicle emissions; CO2 (30%), CO (70-90%), SO2 (5%), NOx (45-50%), HC/VOC (40-50%), Particulates (25%), O3 (indirect), Smog (indirect), Acid rain (10-30%), CFCs (20%), Lead (30%) | Loss of useful life Replacement and restoration costs |
| Labor productivity | Carbon monoxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxides, HC/VOC, Particulates, Ozone, Smog, Lead, Odors, Noise | Men-hours-wage losses | |
| Agricultural productivity | Carbon monoxide, Sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen oxides, HC/VOC, Particulates, Ozone, Acid rain, CFCs (indirect), Greenhouse effect | Output/surface decrease Biomass restoration time losses |
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| Fishing and commercial extraction | Air pollution fallouts, Marine vessels discharges and spills, De-icing of infrastructure, Runoffs, Construction and maintenance of infrastructure | Vehicle emissions, During transport, Infrastructure (dredging: 80%) | Output/volume decrease Lost revenues from recreational fishing |
| Recreational facilities | Drop of attendance Loss in rent values |
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| Water purification | Treatment costs Inspection costs |
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| Accidents / Spills | Marine vessels discharges and spills, Accidental and intentional releases (Hazmat) | During transport; Road (84.1%), Rail (12.5%), Air (3.2%) and Maritime (0.1%) | Cleanup costs Relocation costs |
| Property values | Noise | Vehicle emissions; Road (70%), Rail (10%) and Air (20%) | Loss of rent value per decibel |
| Public Health | Carbon monoxide, Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxides, HC/VOC, Particulates, Ozone, Smog, Lead, Noise | Vehicle emissions, During transport | Health services costs Loss of life expectancy |
| Damage to the ecosystem | All the above | Vehicle emissions, During transport, Infrastructure | Biological diversity and sustainability Loss of water regeneration / purification by wetland Contamination of local environments Loss of living areas due to high noise levels |
The assessment of environmental externalities of transportation involves multiple causes, effects and consequences. Some are clear, evident and well documented, while several are indirect, subjective and linked with other sources.