High-speed rail opening and urban air quality

Zhilong Qin, Xiaoguang Chen and Luoye Chen

Regional Science and Urban Economics, 2025, vol. 114, issue C

Abstract: We quantify the air quality impact of China's first major HSR line connecting Beijing and Shanghai, operational since June 30, 2011. Using high-resolution satellite data, we find a 6.2 % reduction in particulate matter concentrations in counties served by the HSR during the six months following its opening, with effects strengthening over time and persisting for at least two years. These improvements are larger in counties with HSR stations, high interregional travel demand, or limited alternative transportation options. We estimate that the HSR opening yields external health benefits of approximately CNY 21 billion annually, accounting for a substantial portion of its construction costs.

Keywords: High-speed rail; Air quality; Health benefit; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I15 Q52 R41 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:regeco:v:114:y:2025:i:c:s0166046225000511

DOI: 10.1016/j.regsciurbeco.2025.104134

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