Sustainable Urban Transport in India

This research paper examines how the auto-rickshaw sector in India can contribute to sustainable urban transport using the Avoid-Shift-Improve (ASI) framework. It proposes a policy vision focused on the 'Shift' and 'Improve' strategies, recommending regulatory reforms for dispatch services, engine technology to reduce emissions, and vehicle design and infrastructure changes to enhance road safety.

• Auto-rickshaws can support the 'Shift' strategy of sustainable transport by providing first and last mile connectivity to public transport stations and offering a door-to-door alternative to private motor vehicles for specific needs like emergency healthcare or airport trips.
• To reduce PM10, hydrocarbon (HC), and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the study recommends transitioning from two-stroke to four-stroke engines, which can further reduce PM10 when using compressed natural gas (CNG) or other gasoline alternatives. However, four-stroke engines increase oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions, necessitating a shift from combined (HC + NOx) emission standards to separate standards for HC and NOx.
• While auto-rickshaws cause fewer fatal pedestrian accidents than cars or motorized two-wheelers due to lower weights and speeds, occupant safety in multivehicle collisions is a concern. Recommended improvements include vehicle design changes (seat belts and padding) and infrastructure interventions (dedicated lanes, narrow lanes, and speed tables).
• The current auto-rickshaw sector is dominated by individual owner-operators, which hinders the provision of dispatch (dial-a-rickshaw) services. The paper suggests regulatory reforms by State transport departments to allow fleet-based operations with dispatch services.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). Sustainable Urban Transport in India. https://www.wri.org/research/sustainable-urban-transport-india

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Sustainable Urban Transport in India. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/sustainable-urban-transport-india.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Sustainable Urban Transport in India |url=https://www.wri.org/research/sustainable-urban-transport-india |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendsustainable, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Sustainable Urban Transport in India}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/sustainable-urban-transport-india}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }