Deciding whether to take a train or a bus should not be just a matter of convenience and time. According to the "Studies on the Environmental Analysis according to the Land Transportation Types", released by the Korea Environment Institute, on Nov. 6. 2002, railroads are proven to be more environmentally friendly and safer than the roads.

This report analyzed 6 categories of transportation impacts on the environment, such as air pollution, greenhouse gas, noise pollution, land use, traffic accidents and congestion. The assessment was taken based on the data from the Korea Transport Institute, for the years 2000 and 2010, under the assumption that the current transportation policies will be maintained without any significant changes.

According to the study, the environmental cost from the transportation sector in the year 2000 is estimated around 49 trillion won. In comparing environmental cost for railroad and road transport, the study showed that the railroad is, on the average, more than 3 times environmentally friendly than the road transport. For example, the air pollution cost was 3.1 times higher, greenhouse gas 3.6 times, noise expenses 2.1 times, land use 1.0 times, and most surprising of all, the cost arising from road traffic accidents was 646 times higher than the railroads.

This study shows that there is a need for a legislative effort to increase the use of railways for more sustainable transportation. Also, while enforcing the air pollution policy, public transportation service should be expanded and popularized for less congested roads. Also, more low-emission vehicles should be produced, and large diesel-powered vehicles like buses and trucks should be replaced with CNG vehicles.