Abstract:

Environment, traffic, and its effects are indissolubly linked, usually evolving in the same direction: a strategy to reduce traffic effects will also entail a minimization of the impact on the environment, leading to a better quality of air. The definition and measurement of these concepts contain a note of subjectivism by the authors, all approaches being strongly influenced by the selected variables. The modern lifestyle together with the recent major geophysical events made 2010s the hottest decade recorded in history and 2010 was only the first hottest year during this period. In this context, the purpose of this study is to analyze and classify 112 European cities based on 2011 data using non-parametric techniques, investigating the situation at the beginning of 2010s decade. This paper shapes two models that follow two different dimensions (air quality and traffic safety) across two directions: output-oriented and hyperbolic. Following the efficient and inefficient classification, we benchmark the cities with the purpose of illustrating the characteristics of efficient ones and how inefficient cities should reduce the harmful impact on the environment by improving their efficiency score. The difference between the two categories of cities is mainly determined by size – a low population implies fewer cars, therefore safer traffic, and a smaller environmental footprint.