What are the best ways to reduce transportation emissions in arid regions?

When choosing a zero emission vehicle option it is also important to consider how the electricity got produced in the first place: the best option would be of course through renewable energy... But as this is not everywhere possible, a ZEV is still better then an ICE.

When you think on designing a project to lower carbon emission, you need to consider that; 1) either hydrogen or LNG based transportation, they both need sources to be 'transported' as well. If those transport vehicles are based on fossil fuels, it will make the project less efficient, 2) e-transition requires a few preparation before the vehicles are deployed. Infrastructure of electric connectivity, how to produce the required energy for vehicles, percentage of sustainable energy sources included in the project (higher percentage would be more efficient), 3) awareness of people is also important as all stakeholders should give the same effort together and work for a better future, 4) policies and regulations that limit the carbon emission

Reliability of public transport is one of the key enablers to switch people from cars to PT, plus regular service on relevant routes. The ticket cost is less relevant for the car owner using PT, then for those who have no choice but using PT.

Public transportation on rural areas may not be so efficient since people are not living as a crowd and close to each other's house. If this is a mixed and wide area for them, an efficient public transportation will not be matter for operators and authorities. In this case, authorities may choose to apply a project of On-demand Transit (Demand Responsive Transit). That keeps operators to consume more fuel, provides a better and on-time ride for passengers, and a good way to lower the emitted carbon level.

We can even say that riding a bike or walking around would also be healthy either for your body or for the lungs of our world if you have dropped your internal-combustion-engine vehicle and choose to use your own body for your mobility. New MaaS and mapping applications may plan the trip of users based on the lowest carbon emission model and that would work well together if the projects are based on encouraging the people to walk or go by riding a bike.

Sharing a ride would also be as efficient as DRT system with an instant appliance of the ride (ride hailing) on a collective way. So we can say this is a mix of two useful systems with a more efficient way as more beneficial for the riders.

It is often a challenge to find someone to share a ride with. Start car pooling with your co-workers! At least you have one part of the journey in common and similar work hours.

Regular vehicle maintenance, including proper tire inflation and engine tuning, ensures optimal performance and minimizes emissions. Planning routes to avoid congested areas and combining trips can reduce the overall distance traveled and the time spent idling. Encouraging the use of alternative transportation modes, such as carpooling, public transit, or cycling, can also significantly reduce individual vehicle emissions. Additionally, promoting the adoption of fuel-efficient or electric vehicles can further decrease the environmental impact of transportation in arid regions.

Optimization applications that are used for giving the best alternative for the route is the most convenient way of reducing the carbon at any mode of public transportation. But once it is combined with applications that tracks the driver behaviors, then it would work more efficient as it will reduce the use of energy and even extend the period of maintenance.

Always ask yourself: do you need to go or could you combine the trip with something else later? If yes, by car or could it be done differently? And , do you need to go yourself or could someone else, who is already there do it for you?

To reduce transportation emissions in any region, a comprehensive strategy rooted in the "EASI" framework is crucial. "Enable" involves establishing efficient governance to anticipate needs and guide integrated urban transport management. "Avoid" promotes compact, mixed-use urban planning and telecommuting to minimize vehicular travel. "Shift" encourages public transit, carpooling, and active mobility options like walking and cycling to reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicles. "Improve" focuses on enhancing vehicle efficiency through fuel standards, fleet modernization, and intelligent traffic management. By integrating these measures, it is possible to effectively combat transportation emissions and promote sustainable mobility.

Siempre va a depender del entorno, si existe o no la infraestructura para usar el transporte publico, carpools o algún otro medio de transporte no contaminante, no podemos generalizar las regiones áridas, porqué no es lo mismo una región árida en USA que en Colombia.