Highways & Climate Change

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This website provides information on FHWA research, publications, and resources related to climate change science, policies, and actions. You will also find some current state and local practices in adapting to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Addressing Climate Change in Transportation

Climate change and related effects are complex–there is no single, 'one-size-fits-all' approach to addressing these issues. Acknowledging this complexity, FHWA focuses its resources on supporting transportation and climate change research and disseminating the results, providing technical assistance to stakeholders, and coordinating its activities within U.S. DOT and with other Federal agencies.

Climate change considerations should be integrated throughout the transportation decision-making process–from planning through project development and delivery. However, addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation up front in the planning process will facilitate decision-making and improve efficiency at the program level, and will inform the analysis and stewardship needs of project level decision-making. Climate change considerations can easily be integrated into many planning factors, such as supporting economic vitality and global efficiency, increasing safety and mobility, enhancing the environment, promoting energy conservation, and improving the quality of life.

Strategies to Reduce Emissions

There are four primary strategies to reduce GHG emissions from transportation. To be most effective, all four must be pursued together.

	Improve system and operational efficiencies – Traffic flow improvements can be achieved through intelligent transportation systems, route optimization, congestion pricing, and improved intermodal links and system connectivity. Other system efficiencies could be achieved by switching to more energy-efficient modes. For instance, a ton-mile carried on rail requires about 10 percent as much energy as trucks, and less than 2 percent as much as aircraft. Operational efficiencies can be achieved through improving vehicle maintenance, which can improve fuel efficiency and prevent breakdowns that tie up traffic, and reducing idling of freight vehicles. For example, auxiliary power units and truck stop electrification systems–which allow long-haul trucks to have air conditioning and heating, and to run electrical appliances such as refrigerators, computers, and televisions without having to idle their vehicles during rest periods–saves fuel and reduces emissions.
	Reduce growth of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) – Implementing land use strategies that concentrate development can lessen the need to drive. Providing HOV lanes, transit options, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and promoting travel demand management programs and telecommuting can also reduce the number of vehicle trips. Pricing mechanisms such as road pricing, mileage-based car insurance, and gas taxes can motivate people to drive less.
	Transition to lower GHG fuels – Replace gasoline and diesel with fuels such as biodiesel and natural gas, which can emit less GHGs over their lifecycle – from production and refining to distribution and final use.
	Improve vehicle technologies – Promote the development of more fuel efficient vehicles, such as plug-in electric hybrids, via policy decisions, such as stringent Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. Tax credit programs and "feebates" can also encourage the purchase of more fuel efficient vehicles.