Energy Systems and Technologies for the Coming Century ...

83,385 to 109,108 while the number of registered buses rose by 7.27% from 2,612 to2,802 6 . This is dismaying since motor vehicles keep on expanding whilst no efficientplanning is being made so far to magnify the country’s road network 7 . The length of roadis 2,066 km as per the year 2009. It has merely increased by 38 km as compared to theprevious year. In this day and age, traffic congestion and car emissions 8 are, so far,paramount. The decision confronting the government of Mauritius is how to respond tobooming motorization subsequent to an emerging standard of living.Traffic congestion is costing the Mauritian economy millions while many individuals arefinding themselves trapped for hours in the traffic. Moreover, as per Menon (2004), “costof traffic congestion in Mauritius is estimated at 1.2 billion Rs 9(excluding vehicleoperating costs) annually. There is anecdotal evidence that motorists spend as much as600 hrs annually in traffic congestion.” This problem is exacerbated with car emissionsleading to environmental concerns. Exhaust fumes represent the most critical part of thewaste generated by a vehicle and can impact adversely on the quality of air, waste andsoil (Himanen et al, 1992). Road congestion “… not only imposes high costs in terms oflost time and high stress, but also increases emissions by decreasing the speed of travel(Alpizar and Carlsson, 2003). As per the Kyoto Protocol that took effect on February16 th , 2005, many countries have triggered off plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissionsand are especially interested in (CO 2 ) mitigation. Recently, the government initiated the6 The data are computed from the 2009 Central Statistical Office report which can be accessed online at:www.gov.mu/portal/goc/cso/file/anudig09.pdf.7 More information about the transport data are available online at: http://www.gov.mu/portal/goc/cso/ei816/toc.htm.8 Car emissions are the waste products emissions emanating from the exhaust pipe. The emissions consist of CO 2 ,nitrogen gas (N 2 ), water vapor (H 2 O), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NO x ), hydrocarbons, etc.9 The exchange rate is $1=Rs.27.50 in 2004 and by 2009 it is $1= Rs. 33.60.Risø International Energy Conference 2011 Proceedings Page 386