Exemplary calculations for necessary traffic changes through behavioral changes in order to achieve emission limits using the example of Potsdam

Abstract

Climate change, exceedances of pollutant thresholds, growing cities and the resulting increased traffic load are still global challenges. Despite the German Environment Agency's report that nitrogen dioxide loads at all measurement stations remained within the prescribed threshold values for the first time in 2024, further enhancements are imperative before the scheduled tightening of the threshold values in 2030. In the interdisciplinary project MaaS L.A.B.S., funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, a small group of test persons in Potsdam, near Berlin, were surveyed to determine what motivates them to switch to public transportation. A tracking application equipped with incentive features was used for this purpose [7]. The feedback from the participants indicated that merely being aware of the amount of CO2 saved by opting for low-emission modes of transport (public transport, bicycle, or walking) for a trip was sufficient to motivate them to refrain from using a car. This prompts the question of how many additional trips using alternative modes of transport are required to achieve a measurable change in emissions, particularly CO2. Statistical data is used to estimate the number of persons who commute to Potsdam on a daily basis, as well as the used means of transport. This leads to the fundamental question how many persons need to be motivated to comply with the established CO2 limits, and what is the subsequent impact on their travel times.