ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ROAD TRANSPORT

Automobile transport is one of the major sources of anthropogenic impact on the environment in the modern world. Its rapid growth causes numerous environmental problems that affect all components of the environment – the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biota, as well as the climate and human health. This paper examines the main negative consequences of transport operations, including greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, CH4, NOx), smog formation, soil contamination with heavy metals, microplastic pollution in water bodies, wildlife mortality, and disruption of ecological connections. Special attention is paid to the impact on public health, particularly the development of respiratory, cardiovascular, and oncological diseases. The problem of urban consequences, such as noise pollution and the degradation of urban spaces, is also highlighted. The role of transport in climate change and global warming is assessed. Mitigation strategies are proposed, including the transition to electric vehicles, the development of public transport, reducing car dependency, and ecological urban planning with the creation of parking spaces. This study has practical significance for shaping modern transport policies in the context of sustainable development.