Study Finds Ride-Sharing Services Increase Pollution
2020-03-08
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1A new study has found that ride-sharing services result in much more pollution than other kinds of private and public transportation.
2Ride-sharing trips also draw passengers away from more environment friendly methods of travel, like public transportation, walking or biking, the study found.
3Several studies in recent years have suggested that ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft can worsen traffic problems in cities, which continue to have high rates of private vehicle ownership.
4The new study, carried out by the not-for-profit group Union of Concerned Scientists, represents an attempt to center on how ride-sharing services affect pollution.
5The research examined the effects of ride-sharing services on seven of America's largest cities.
6Overall, the researchers reported that ride-sharing trips now "result in an estimated 69 percent more climate pollution on average than the trips they displace."
7The study notes that the same passengers could have chosen to travel by bus, train, bike, scooter or on foot.
8One of the big reasons they give for this result is that ride-sharing vehicles are often driven with no passengers in the car.
9This happens when drivers are either waiting for rider requests, are on the way to pick up passengers or are driving in between pickups.
10This situation, known as "deadheading," takes up about 42 percent of all ride-sharing driving activity, the study found.
11The researchers said that deadheading results in about 50 percent more carbon dioxide than one person driving in a private vehicle.
12Both Uber and Lyft do offer a choice of a "pooled" ride, which involves drivers picking up additional riders during the same trip.
13The study urges services like Uber and Lyft to work to increase the amount of pooled rides.
14It also urges the two companies to increase the number of electric vehicles on the road and to improve connections to public transportation centers.
15Both Uber and Lyft have said in the past that most studies on the subject overstate the effects of their services on pollution.
16They have noted that the majority of vehicles on the road belong to private individuals or companies.
17Uber told Reuters news agency in a statement it had no comment on the latest report.
18But the company said it aims to be part of the solution to address climate change by working directly with cities.
19The statement added that Uber would continue to promote pooled trips and other means of transportation.
20Lyft told Reuters in a statement that the study made misleading claims about ride-sharing.
21But the company said it shares the goals of increasing the number of pooled rides and putting more electric vehicles in service.
22Both companies already operate businesses that offer electric scooters and bikes and have begun to include public transportation information in their systems.
23In some cities, they have also promoted vehicle electrification.
24I'm Bryan Lynn.
1A new study has found that ride-sharing services result in much more pollution than other kinds of private and public transportation. 2Ride-sharing trips also draw passengers away from more environment friendly methods of travel, like public transportation, walking or biking, the study found. 3Several studies in recent years have suggested that ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft can worsen traffic problems in cities, which continue to have high rates of private vehicle ownership. 4The new study, carried out by the not-for-profit group Union of Concerned Scientists, represents an attempt to center on how ride-sharing services affect pollution. The research examined the effects of ride-sharing services on seven of America's largest cities. 5Overall, the researchers reported that ride-sharing trips now "result in an estimated 69 percent more climate pollution on average than the trips they displace." The study notes that the same passengers could have chosen to travel by bus, train, bike, scooter or on foot. 6One of the big reasons they give for this result is that ride-sharing vehicles are often driven with no passengers in the car. This happens when drivers are either waiting for rider requests, are on the way to pick up passengers or are driving in between pickups. 7This situation, known as "deadheading," takes up about 42 percent of all ride-sharing driving activity, the study found. The researchers said that deadheading results in about 50 percent more carbon dioxide than one person driving in a private vehicle. 8Both Uber and Lyft do offer a choice of a "pooled" ride, which involves drivers picking up additional riders during the same trip. 9The study urges services like Uber and Lyft to work to increase the amount of pooled rides. It also urges the two companies to increase the number of electric vehicles on the road and to improve connections to public transportation centers. 10Both Uber and Lyft have said in the past that most studies on the subject overstate the effects of their services on pollution. They have noted that the majority of vehicles on the road belong to private individuals or companies. 11Uber told Reuters news agency in a statement it had no comment on the latest report. But the company said it aims to be part of the solution to address climate change by working directly with cities. The statement added that Uber would continue to promote pooled trips and other means of transportation. 12Lyft told Reuters in a statement that the study made misleading claims about ride-sharing. But the company said it shares the goals of increasing the number of pooled rides and putting more electric vehicles in service. 13Both companies already operate businesses that offer electric scooters and bikes and have begun to include public transportation information in their systems. In some cities, they have also promoted vehicle electrification. 14I'm Bryan Lynn. 15Reuters reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English, with additional information from the Union of Concerned Scientists. Ashley Thompson was the editor. 16We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. 17_________________________________________________________________ 18Words in This Story 19displace - v. to take the place of something 20scooter - n. a small vehicle that has wheels attached to a long board and handle 21greenhouse gas - n. gases in the atmosphere that trap heat 22promote - v. encourage something to happen or develop