1*Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department, Chamelidevi Group of Institutions, Indore, Madhya Pradesh Email: avinash.mishra@cdgi.edu.in
2Assistant Professor CE-AMD, Shri. G. S. Institute of Technology & Science, Indore, Madhya Pradesh
3Assistant professor, Jawaharlal Institute of Technology, Borawan (M. P.), Email: shashidhobale@gmail.com
4Assistant Professor CE-AMD, Shri. G. S. Institute of Technology & Science, Indore, Madhya Pradesh Email: pranavthepe@ymail.com
5Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department, Chamelidevi Group of Institutions, Indore, Madhya Pradesh Email: ankit.pal@cdgi.edu.in
Title: Impact Assessment of Non-Motorized Transportation Infrastructure on Urban Sustainability Using Traffic Simulation and Emission Reduction Modelling
Rapid urbanization in developing nations has intensified vehicular traffic, worsening air quality and undermining urban sustainability goals. This study assesses the impact of expanding non-motorized transportation (NMT) infrastructure—specifically dedicated cycling lanes, pedestrian walkways, and multimodal integration hubs—on urban sustainability across five major Indian cities: Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. A hybrid methodology is deployed, integrating VISSIM-based microscopic traffic simulation with the COPERT emission estimation model and the Sustainable Urban Mobility Index (SUMI). Calibrated using 2018–2023 field data, the simulations quantify modal shift, travel time savings, greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, particulate matter (PM2.5/PM10) abatement, and economic co-benefits. Results reveal that a 15–30% increase in NMT mode share produces CO₂ reductions of 12–27%, PM2.5 reductions of 18–34%, and NOₓ reductions of 14–26%. Travel time savings of 8–19 minutes per commute per day are demonstrated. Benefit–Cost Analysis (BCA) yields ratios of 2.1–4.7, confirming economic viability. The paper further proposes an evidence-based NMT Investment Priority Framework (NIPF) to guide policy decisions. Findings contribute directly to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) targets.
Keywords: Non-motorized transportation; Urban sustainability; Traffic simulation; Emission modelling; VISSIM; COPERT; Cycling infrastructure; Pedestrian mobility; Mode shift; Carbon reduction; India.
How to cite this article: Mishra A, Bajpai S, Dhobale SB, Thepe P, Pal A. Impact Assessment of Non-Motorized Transportation Infrastructure on Urban Sustainability Using Traffic Simulation and Emission Reduction Modelling. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(16s): 417-429. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.16s.44
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None