Transit is uniquely positioned to provide the United States with the opportunity to support sustainability efforts, through environmental benefits and energy savings.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) manages $10 billion annually in federal funds to support public transportation which can have multiple environmental benefits. In addition to supporting public transportation as a whole, FTA grant, research, and technical assistance programs assist state and local governments in providing environmentally sustainable transportation solutions.
Latest Updates
- Moving Cooler - Moving Cooler analyzes and assesses the effectiveness and costs of almost 50 transportation strategies for reducing GHG emissions, as well as evaluates combinations of those strategies. The study was sponsored by a diverse group of organizations, including the Federal Transit Administration. Moving Cooler Executive Summary (PDF). More information available from the Moving Cooler website.
- Transit Green Building Action Plan - Under request from Congress, FTA produced an analysis of green buildings in transit and the actions FTA can take to encourage these practices in the transit industry. Transit Green Building Action Plan (Word/PDF)
FTA Activities that Promote Environmental Sustainability
- Grant Programs
- Research and Promotion of Innovation
- Technical Assistance
- U.S. Department of Transportation Center for Climate Change and Environmental Forecasting
Transit’s Role in Environmental Sustainability
Public transportation plays an important role in confronting environmental challenges. Public transportation can:
- Improve air quality
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Facilitate compact development, conserving land and decreasing travel demand
- Save energy
- Minimize impacts
- Provide other benefits
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Riders boarding a heavy rail vehicle. Transit offers a way for people to travel - yet save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Photo courtesy of WMATA)
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