A review on vehicular traffic-induced carbon footprint

The rapid growth of vehicular traffic in India has significantly contributed to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, raising concerns about environmental sustainability. This systematic review synthesises current literature on vehicular traffic-induced carbon dioxide emissions in India, highlighting the interplay of urbanisation, vehicle ownership trends, and transportation infrastructure inadequacies. Key findings reveal that road transport accounts for over 94% of transport sector emissions, driven by exponential vehicle growth and urban sprawl. Emissions continue to rise despite policy interventions such as emission standards and electric vehicle promotion. This study identifies critical research gaps, including the need for robust regional emission inventories, effective policy assessments, and scalable mitigation strategies. Recommendations emphasise advancing public transportation systems, adopting cleaner technologies, and integrating behavioural changes to reduce the carbon footprint. The findings serve as a roadmap for future research and policy development towards sustainable urban transportation in India.