Internalizing the environment and health costs of transport systems

Resolve market distortions by internalizing transport-related environmental and health costs and benefits; bringing the costs of transport into relation with the mileage travelled; implementing economic instruments to stimulate health-promoting mobility behaviour and shifts in use of different modes of transport.

Ensuring that policies introduced to promote transport that is sustainable for health and the environment are cost-effective, taking all costs into account.

Motorized transport, and especially road and air transport users, usually do not face the full environmental and health-related costs, which can create adverse incentives and distortions in the transport market.

When considering the health cost implications of infrastructure investment and land use planning and their consequences in terms of transport and the need for mobility, account should be taken not only of direct health costs but also of the costs of not adopting health-promoting alternatives.