A Quantitative Analysis of Carbon Emissions Reduction Ability of Transportation Structure Optimization in China

In order to develop a low-carbon emissions transportation system, it is important to study the carbon emissions reduction ability of transportation structure optimization. Based on analysis of the impact of transportation structure on carbon emissions, this paper employed a quantitative approach and time series data (1989–2009) to analyze the effect of transportation structure on carbon emissions in China. In this study, a quantitative approach of the decomposition analysis and the impulse response function were combined. Measurements of the quantity change in carbon emissions caused by the transportation structure factor were obtained along with the responses of the carbon emissions to the impulse of the transportation structure optimization. The relationship between transportation structure and carbon emissions was discussed based on empirical results, including: (1) short- and long-term influence of transportation structure on carbon emissions; (2) comparative analysis of transportation structure and other principal factors; (3) the dynamic interaction mechanism between transportation structure and carbon emissions. The outcome of this study proved to be valuable for researchers and decision makers in this field.