Assessment of the Environmental Impact of Passenger Road Transport Fleet in Ukraine

Abstract. Problem. Today, humanity is increasingly aware of the consequences of its impact on the environment, necessitating urgent solutions to a range of ecological problems. In this context, there is growing attention to the ecological aspects of decisionmaking regarding various project implementations. This trend is also reflected in the planning of transportation systems. Designers in Western European countries, guided by the EU Directive on environmental management and the ISO 14001 environmental management system regulation, always take into account the expected energy consumption and the impact of projects on ecosystems. Currently, in Ukraine, only general information about the environmental state is available, highlighting the need for a more detailed analysis of fuel consumption and the impact of the transportation system on living conditions. This article is dedicated to studying this issue. Goal. The purpose of this article is to develop an approach for assessing the environmental impact of freight road transport in Ukraine based on relevant modern European methodologies for evaluating fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Methodology. The assessment of fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from freight vehicles should be based on specific indicators per vehiclekilometer. This is due to the fact that the data on transport work volumes, presented in state statistics, are not always reliable because of the voluntary nature of reporting and the lack of a legislative framework. For a more accurate assessment, it is advisable to divide freight vehicles into two categories: light and heavy. The methodology for analyzing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions is based on modern models, particularly the HDM-4 model, which is one of the most widely used for such calculations. Results. The developed approach allowed for the determination of total fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from freight road transport on a national scale. Originality. For the first time, approximate current data on the environmental impact of the entire freight vehicle fleet in the transportation system of Ukraine has been obtained. Practical value. The obtained figures for fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from freight transport can be used by government authorities for the ecological assessment of scenarios for the development of Ukraine’s transportation system.