Abstract:

The thesis titled as ‘Environmental Issues of Urban Road Transport in Ernakulam District’, is presented in nine chapters. The study starts with ‘Design of the Study’, which includes a brief introduction followed by review of studies on urban transport, then statement of the research problem, objectives of the study, data sources and methodology of analysis and different terms and concepts used in the study. The second chapter, ‘Economics Transport: An Overview’, discusses the theoretical background of the study. It examines various theories, worldwide agreement and efforts related to transport and environment and development. After that, ‘Linkages Between Economic Development, Urbanization and Transport Development’, presented in chapter third, provides a glimpse of the link between urbanization and economic development, transport and environment, environmental impact of transport and urban air pollution in India. Next chapter, ‘Urban Road Transport Network in India: An Exploration’, presents an outline of the urbanization and transport trend in the international, national and regional context. Chapter five, ‘Road Transport in Ernakulam District’, focused on an overview of urban transport and vehicular mobility in Ernakulam and Kochi. In, ‘Vehicular Emission: The Case of Ernakulam District’, explains, motor vehicles emission in Ernakulam and Kochi both for registered vehicles and in-use vehicles. Chapter seven, ‘Motor Vehicles Fuel Consumption in Ernakulam District’, estimates consumption in Ernakulam district. Subsequent chapter, ‘Road Accident in India: An Account’, analyses road accidents in India, Kerala and Ernakulam district. Last chapter, ‘Summary, Findings, Policy Initiatives and Conclusion’, outlines the summary of the study, major findings of the study, policy initiatives and conclusion.