Optimization of regional traffic structure from the perspective of sustainable development

Under the situation of meeting the regional transport needs, we will minimize the social transportation cost to optimize the transport structure, which accords with regional sustainable development. From the perspective of industrial economics, this article analyzes the external costs arising from land use, energy consumption, environmental pollution, traffic safety and other factors of different transport modes. This article also establishes the social cost models which are based on the internalization of external costs. By comparing different modes of economic transport costs, it proposes some recommendations for transport structure optimization to meet the requirements of maximizing social welfare and provides a basis for the transport network planning, adjustment and policy-making. © 2009 ASCE.