 |
Research, Partnership, and Events
Partnership Activities
Interagency Working Group on Climate Change Science and Technology (IWGCCST)
The IWGCCST is an integral part of President Bush's Climate Change plan. Led in alternating years by the Department of Commerce and the Department of Energy, this cabinet-level interagency working group oversees the Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) and the Climate Change Technology Program (CCTP). DOT is an active participant in both CCSP and CCTP. The DOT climate research activities for 2005 have been included in the President's Climate Change Research Initiative (CCRI), a part of the CCSP. In addition, the Center's ongoing Impacts of Climate Change and Variability on Transportation Systems and Infrastructure: Gulf Coast Study is one of the CCSP's twenty-one synthesis and assessment products.
International Activities
- Sub Program on Climate Change (PCC). With the State Department, DOT participates in and supports discussions at the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) meetings on transportation issues, particularly with respect to bunker fuels and policies and measures. It also works with the State Department to identify ongoing joint emission reduction projects and participates on country teams for a number of regions, including Mexico, Central America, and Canada.
- U.S./Canada Bilateral On Climate Change. As part of the U.S./Canada Bilateral Initiative On Climate Change, DOT has a continuing relationship with Transport Canada to discuss issues including CAFE and CAFE reform, federal transit investment frameworks, intermodal transportation and advanced vehicle technologies.
- ICAO and IMO Efforts to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Aircraft and Ships. DOT and the U.S. Coast Guard are working within the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and International Maritime Organization (IMO) to develop proposals on how greenhouse gas emissions from fuel used in international transportation ("bunker" fuels) can be reduced.
- Workshop on Implementing Sustainable Urban Travel Policies. DOT is working with the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) and the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to host a workshop examining how specific groups of countries are applying the ECMT-OECD recommendations on implementing sustainable urban travel policies.
- Energy and Environment Working Group. DOT exchanges environmental and energy transportation data and analysis with its counterparts in Canada and Mexico.
- Great Lakes Studies. Through the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC), DOT is participating in two climate-related studies of the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Navigation Study (GLNS) identifies studies factors and trends that affect commercial navigation on the Seaway, including climate change. The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway Modal Shift Study, conducted in conjunction with six other U.S. and Canadian entities, focuses on the relative energy usage, emission impacts, and safety risks of different transportation modes.
Federal Agencies
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the US Global Change Research Program
- Multiple agencies. Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Transportation. With the support of the (USGCRP), the Center held a workshop in October 2002 to discuss the impacts climate change could have on transportation systems. Based on research priorities identified in the workshop, the Center has begun to select research topics to pursue in this area, starting with the Gulf Coast Study. View the workshop summary.
- Department of Energy (DOE). The Center and DOE are investigating possible ways for entities in the transportation sector to report their greenhouse gas reductions. In addition, DOT collaborates with DOE in the 21st Century Truck initiative, an interagency effort to increase the fuel-economy of medium- and heavy-duty trucks.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). DOT is working with the EPA to implement truck stop electrification on a variety of interstate corridors throughout the country, reducing the production of greenhouse gases by idling parked trucks. In addition, DOT reviews transportation sector information for the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks, published annually by the EPA.
- Navy and Coast Guard. As part of the Clean Propulsion for Maritime Vehicles initiative, the U.S. Coast Guard, Navy, and DOT are engaged in continued development of fuel cell applications for ships and seaboard hydrogen sourcing from NaBH4.
- US Geological Survey (USGS). In January 2004, DOT signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the USGS to cooperate on research that will inform decision makers and the public about the potential effects of climate change and variability on the nation's transportation systems. The Gulf Coast Study is being conducted as an interagency partnership under this agreement
State, Local, and Private Sector
- Assessment of the New York State Energy Plan. The Center and the New York State DOT are studying the development and the implementation of the New York State Energy Plan (SEP).
- Highway/Transit/Ferry Integration. The Center co-sponsored this CALSTART project with the Department of Energy Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Gas Technology Institute, with the non-profit transportation consortia CALSTART acting as principal investigator. The project evaluates the potential greenhouse gas benefits achievable through better integration of passenger ferries with land transportation systems, considering ferry technology and fueling options. The San Francisco Bay Area was analyzed as a point of reference and as a potential basis for consideration of other areas where passenger ferries might be effective. View the final report: Passenger Ferries, Air Quality, and Greenhouse Gases: Can System Expansion Result in Fewer Emissions in the San Francisco Bay Area?
- Greenhouse Gas and Other Emission Reductions Aboard a Large Container Vessel. The Center is part of a Multi-Partner Cooperative Research Agreement with Matson Navigation, a container ship owner. This technology assessment includes both a literature search and the physical survey of a container vessel in order to initiate a plan to install and test various emission reduction technologies systems.
- Hydrogen. DOT participates in the California Fuel Cell Partnership.
- Advanced Technology Transit Bus (ATTB) Program. This joint project with LA County Metro Transit Authority produces lightweight, low emission buses. DOT currently has six buses on the road, and some of the technology deployed in those buses is now being used in commercial applications. DOT plans to demonstrate seven additional buses in 2004 through partnerships with other local transit agencies.
- Communication, Navigation and Surveillance System (CNS) and Air Traffic Management (ATM) System. With the aviation community, DOT is engaged in data sharing, flight optimization, and other efforts that are expected to yield fuels savings of 5% by 2015.
|
|
