Road Traffic Infrastructure Construction and Air Pollution Based on the Perspective of Spatial Spillover

Fangyu Ye and Yi Li ()
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Fangyu Ye: School of Economics and Management, Changsha University, Changsha 410022, China
Yi Li: College of Tourism, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-16

Abstract: Road traffic infrastructure construction is widely regarded as a solution to urban congestion and air pollution. Given the frequent use of non-highway roads for inter-city travel, it is plausible that such infrastructure projects could also improve air quality in neighboring regions. However, the spatial spillover effects of these projects on air pollution remain underexplored. This paper investigates the spatial impacts of road traffic infrastructure construction on urban air pollution. Using a spatial panel regression model, we analyze data from 273 cities in a period spanning 2008 to 2021. Our findings show that road infrastructure construction significantly reduces local air pollution, with results robust to concerns about endogeneity. Furthermore, we identify notable spatial spillover effects, primarily concentrated in adjacent cities. These findings suggest that the accessibility between central cities and their neighboring areas plays a critical role in shaping traffic patterns, air quality, and sustainable urban development. As a result, coordinated regional planning for road infrastructure could serve as an effective strategy to mitigate urban air pollution and promote sustainable growth.

Keywords: road traffic infrastructure; air pollution; spatial spillover effect; sustainable development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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