This additional report consolidates in a single document the methodology for assessing the external costs of transportation developed within the framework of project 2.6 and already applied in three deliverables of the system research. External transportation costs are social costs that fall on third parties, ecosystems, and society, which are not considered in the decision-making process of transportation activities.
The report has two main objectives:
− To provide the methodological details of the external cost estimates briefly illustrated in the system research deliverables that include this type of assessment, with the aim of ensuring the necessary transparency of the scientific research to readers;
− To update the reference values in scientific literature for the different categories of external costs, critically integrating the information provided by the EU manual for the evaluation of external transportation costs, especially concerning Italy and estimates related to new forms of urban micromobility.
Through both an in-depth analysis of the most established literature and original contributions, the report provides an initial methodological framework for assessing the external factors of the main modes of urban transportation. The external factors considered include the external costs of greenhouse gas emissions, major air pollutants, emissions of key heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants, noise, traffic accidents, and congestion. The urban transportation modes considered cover both passenger and freight vehicles, with a particular focus on the main forms of electric micromobility (bicycles, scooters, and cargo bikes).
The methodological framework outlined here also provides elements and references for the non-urban context and for applications beyond transportation (particularly for emissions from power generation and building heating).
In summary, this report offers a systematic methodological framework, which can also be made available for uses beyond research in the strictest sense, to meet potential needs of public service regulatory authorities and administrations involved in ex-ante environmental assessments (strategic, project, etc.) and cost-benefit analysis.