Assessing carbon monoxide (CO) emissions from private vehicles: A pathway to cleaner urban mobility

Abstract The widespread use of private vehicles, particularly motorcycles and passenger cars, has significantly exacerbated air pollution in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, a problem compounded by inadequate infrastructure, outdated vehicle technology, and an overreliance on high-emission transportation modes. This study aimed to quantify carbon monoxide (CO) emissions from various private vehicles, providing data to support the development of targeted environmental policies. Using fuel consumption and vehicle kilometres Travelled (VKT) as the primary methods, the study collected data from 100 private vehicle users and employed Tier I and Tier II assessment methods for a comprehensive evaluation. The findings revealed substantial CO emission loads, with motorcycles contributing 185.83 tons/year and passenger cars contributing 176.25 tons/year based on fuel consumption. VKT-based emissions further indicated that motorcycles and passenger cars contribute 174.88 tons/year and 205.94 tons/year, respectively. These results highlight passenger cars as the primary CO emission source in the Kuta Alam sub-district, underscoring the urgent need to reevaluate urban mobility paradigms. Addressing the hazardous impacts of outdated technology, inadequate infrastructure through cleaner technologies, and improved urban planning is crucial for mitigating urban air pollution. This study serves as a catalyst for advancing more sustainable transportation modalities, emphasizing the necessity of targeted policies to reduce CO emissions and improve public health in urban environments.