The Impact of Road Infrastructure on Fuel Consumption and Emissions of a Road Vehicle – A Case Study

This article addresses an underexplored yet important factor—the influence of road geometry and characteristics on the energy demands and environmental footprint of road vehicle operation. Based on a case study using real-world data from the operation of a petrol powered passenger car, differences in fuel consumption and CO₂ and NOₓ emissions when driving on rural and urban roads are analyzed. The results indicate that factors such as road gradient, traffic flow characteristics, and stop frequency can significantly affect operational efficiency. The study provides evidence that traffic engineering applications have a measurable impact on fuel consumption and pollutant emissions and, as such, should not be overlooked. Based on these findings, the study proposes that road infrastructure characteristics and management should be actively integrated into strategic sustainable transport policy measures, particularly within the framework of the European Union’s Green Deal objectives.