Objective of Mexico City’s Plan Verde on Transportation:
“To regain streets and roads for efficient, non-polluting, qualified mass transportation, and to promote non-motorized transportation”
Plan Verde outlines the following goals for reducing emissions due to transportation
- Encourage mass transit that is minimally polluting
- Reduction of the number of vehicles in circulation
- Offer incentives for residents who utilize non-motorized transportation
- Improvement of transit and traffic
- Support and encourage a culture of transportation that augments a “harmonious” relationship between pedestrians and transit
Mitigation: the actions that have and will be taken by the government of Mexico City
1. Encourage Mass Transit
In order to increase the use of mass transit within Mexico City, Plan Verde outlines the development of an addition 250 kilometers dedicated to collective transportation. Additionally, the Metrobus system will be consolidated while subway (Metro) coverage will be increased.
2. Reduction of the number of vehicles in circulation
a) School bus transportation will be mandatory for private schools so that by 2012, 100% of all private schools will provide school bus transportation for their students
b) Freight vehicles will be restricted to not only a specific schedule, but also to designated routes of travel. Each vehicle will be categorized to each schedule and route based on “cargo, dimensions, and fuel technology starting 2009.”
c) Taxis will also be restricted to circulate when they are not carrying passengers.
3. Offer incentives for those who utilize non-motorized transport
The “Hoy No Circula” program or “Today, Don’t Drive” will ensure that carbon emissions due to transportation will decrease.
- introduced in 1989 and applied only to winter season when carbon emissions were highest, but eventually extended to all seasons in 1990
- extended to Saturdays in 2008
- “It restricts the circulation of diesel- and gasoline-powered vehicles according to the day of the week and the last digit on the vehicle’s license plate…for all vehicles circulating in the city, whether they are local or not.” (1)
- “One fifth of the city’s 2.5 million registered vehicles will be restricted from circulating between 10 am to 6 pm.” (2)
4. Improvement of Transit and Traffic
5. Adaptation: supporting a transit and pedestrian culture
- The establishment of a permanent campaign that will foster awareness and promote respect amongst passengers, drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists
- “Setting up 8,000 new cameras and 100 radars” to limit and inhibit violations
- Incorporate 2,000 traffic officers over a span of 4 years (2008-2012)
Summary:
Tons of Carbon Dioxide Reduced & Costs of Each Initiative
References
Note: All information taken from Plan Verde unless otherwise noted with a number in parentheses
(1) “The Hoy No Circula Program.” Cuidad de Mexico. accessed online 4 Mar 2010 <http://www.mexicocity.gob.mx/contenido.php?cat=11200&sub=0>
(2)Barclay, Eliza. Mexico City Launches “Green Plan”. 07 Apr 2009. accessed online 4 Mar 1020. <http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/09/mexico_city_lau.php>
