Abstract: Urban passenger traffic structure is one of the key factors that determine the development direction of urban traffic system. The establishment of urban sustainable development of the transport system should not only consider to maximize the efficiency of traffic travel consider to maximize the efficiency of traffic travel but also minimize resource consumption of the transportation system and environmental pollution, to create a low-carbon urban development model. To reduce urban passenger transportation emissions,an optimized model is developed for passenger transportation structure in Guangzhou based on carbon footprint theory. Based on the social sustainability, economical sustainability and environmental sustainability, the optimized model of the urban passenger transportation structure is established by maximizing the social efficiency and minimizing the internal cost of transportation system and its environmental influence. It is indicated that the proportion of the public transportation system (rail transit and conventional bus) will increase to 63.5%. The proportion of rail transportation has increased by nearly 12.5%, while the proportion of the traffic and taxi traffic has a large degree of reduction. From the perspective of travel characteristics, the model is built on the basis of sustainable development, the urban traffic demand, resources, energy and environment. At the same time, according to the traffic development of Guangzhou City, the model is verified, and better effect is obtained.

Key words: carbon footprint theory, urban passenger transportation, traffic structure optimization