{"id":214901,"date":"2026-04-04T19:15:36","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T19:15:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/the-hidden-cost-of-traffic-in-cdmx-cars-account-for-nearly-all-energy-expenditure-in-transportation\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T19:15:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T19:15:38","slug":"the-hidden-cost-of-traffic-in-cdmx-cars-account-for-nearly-all-energy-expenditure-in-transportation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/the-hidden-cost-of-traffic-in-cdmx-cars-account-for-nearly-all-energy-expenditure-in-transportation\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hidden Cost of Traffic in CDMX: Cars Account for Nearly All Energy Expenditure in Transportation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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CDMX traffic. Photo: Cuartoscuro<\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The Overwhelming Impact of Traffic in Mexico City<\/h2>\n

The concerns of urban mobility expert Antonio Su\u00e1rez Bonilla, coordinator of the Mobility and Green Infrastructure Laboratory (LabMov) at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), highlight an alarming reality: the overwhelming presence of asphalt and the number of automobiles deeply affect urban life quality in Mexico City.<\/p>\n

With approximately five million cars<\/strong> registered, and 1 to 1.5 million<\/strong> circulating daily, the traffic situation creates a pressing need for infrastructure that can accommodate this automotive density. An example is the Mexico City International Airport (AICM)<\/strong>, where a staggering 38 percent<\/strong> of the 693 hectares is allocated solely for car parking.<\/p>\n

Rethinking Urban Spaces<\/h3>\n

Su\u00e1rez Bonilla emphasizes the urgency of reimagining urban landscapes and reducing the reliance on private vehicles. This rethinking is crucial for improving public life and promoting sustainable practices. The infrastructure must evolve to support diverse modes of transportation, integrating green infrastructure<\/strong> to enhance public spaces, promote biodiversity, and improve water management.<\/p>\n

The Cost of Energy Expenditure<\/h2>\n

A staggering 46 percent of national energy expenditure stems from transportation<\/strong>, with approximately 95.9 percent<\/strong> of that related to automobiles. This heavy reliance on cars not only impacts environmental sustainability but also raises questions about the efficiency of current urban planning practices. <\/p>\n

Su\u00e1rez Bonilla argues that we must explore alternative transportation methods such as electric bicycles, motorcycles, and walking<\/strong>. \u201cIf cars create conflicts, we should foster other options,\u201d he asserts, advocating for a transformative change in mobility.<\/p>\n

\"MEXICO<\/picture>
CDMX mobility. (SA\u00daL L\u00d3PEZ \/CUARTOSCURO.COM)<\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The Future: Micromobility Solutions<\/h2>\n

At the same seminar, LabMov professor Roberto Trinidad Gonz\u00e1lez Torres<\/strong> discussed the exciting potential of micromobility<\/strong> in urban environments. Identifying vehicles like electric scooters, bicycles, and mopeds, he reported that this market could reach $50 billion<\/strong>, serving as effective \u201cfirst or last mile\u201d alternatives.<\/p>\n

Despite the rapid integration of these vehicles, a legal framework is lacking. Some regions impose speed limits, registration requirements, and safety gear mandates, but implementation remains inconsistent.<\/p>\n

While battery technology poses challenges, innovations in recycling and exchange systems show promise. Additionally, advancements in lightweight and durable materials are paving the way for more sustainable and manageable transport options.<\/p>\n

In conclusion, addressing the invisible costs of traffic in Mexico City<\/strong> requires a holistic approach to urban planning. Transitioning towards green infrastructure and promoting alternative means of transportation can improve urban life quality, reduce energy expenditure, and foster a sustainable future.<\/p>\n


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General News – 2<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

CDMX traffic. Photo: Cuartoscuro The Overwhelming Impact of Traffic in Mexico City The concerns of urban mobility expert Antonio Su\u00e1rez Bonilla, coordinator of the Mobility and Green Infrastructure Laboratory (LabMov) at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), highlight an alarming reality: the overwhelming presence of asphalt and the number of automobiles deeply affect urban […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":214902,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[1009,50855,2362,37014,2180,57,40418,5135,2934,45028,387,50856,50857,32191,2698,7512],"class_list":["post-214901","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mazagine","tag-account","tag-capitalians","tag-cars","tag-cdmx","tag-cost","tag-energy","tag-expenditure","tag-hidden","tag-motorcycles","tag-peripheral","tag-traffic","tag-traffic-2024","tag-traffic-back-to-school","tag-transportation","tag-vacation","tag-vehicles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/214901","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=214901"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/214901\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":214903,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/214901\/revisions\/214903"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/214902"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=214901"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=214901"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=214901"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}