Publications
Climate Change Mitigation
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General
Planning
- A Performance-Based Approach to Addressing Greenhouse Gas Emissions through Transportation Planning (December 2013) - This practitioner handbook is intended to serve as a resource for State DOTs and MPOs interested in addressing GHG emissions through performance-based planning and programming (PBPP). It describes the use of GHG performance measures and other performance management techniques to support investment choices and enhance decision-making. The handbook builds on related resources addressing PBPP and mobile source emissions analysis.(PDF 3.2 MB)
- Handbook for Estimating Transportation Greenhouse Gases for Integration into the Planning Process (March 2013) - The Handbook is designed for State Departments of Transportation and metropolitan planning organizations of all sizes and capabilities to understand possible approaches for analyzing greenhouse gas emissions in the planning process. It helps users understand: factors to consider in selecting an appropriate method; strengths and limitations of different approaches; step-by-step procedures; and, common data sources. (PDF 4 MB)
- Integrating Climate Change in Transportation and Land Use Scenario Planning - An Example from Central New Mexico - (April 2015) This project used scenario planning to analyze strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change impacts, alongside other community goals, in the greater Albuquerque area of central New Mexico. The project demonstrated how climate change considerations can be incorporated into transportation and land use scenario planning and provided analysis that was incorporated into the region's long range transportation plan. (PDF 4 MB) Additional Project Information
- A Framework for Considering Climate Change in Transportation and Land Use Scenario Planning: Lessons Learned from an Interagency Pilot Project on Cape Cod (July 2011) - FHWA and the Volpe Center have developed a guidebook that discusses the steps taken during the pilot project and presents lessons learned and recommendations that will guide other areas in pursuing a similar multi-agency approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and plan for climate change impacts through integrated transportation and land use scenario planning. (PDF 2.2 MB)
- Educating the Public on Climate Change Issues: DOT and MPO Best Practices or PDF - 129Kb. (June 15, 2010) This document summarizes outreach activities and public education initiatives used around the country by State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to educate the public on transportation-related climate change issues.
- Climate Change - Model Language in Transportation Plans. (May 2010) This document provides excerpts from various MPOs and DOT's transportation plans that illustrate how climate change considerations have been integrated into the documents. Agencies that are looking for ideas about how to incorporate climate change into their transportation plans could find the model language very useful. (PDF 89 KB)
- Review and Assessment of State Climate Action Plans. (November 2009) This project reviewed and analyzed climate action plans in all 50 states. The information gather is provided in a separate Excel workbook available in HTML and MS Excel.
- Carbon Dioxide, Climate Change, and the Boston Region MPO: A Discussion Paper (May 2008). This paper identifies the current and potential climate change-related impacts to the Boston, MA region, details current actions undertaken by the Boston Region MPO to address climate change issues, and discusses possible future actions for the Boston Region MPO to reduce GHG emissions
- Integrating Climate Change into the Transportation Planning Process (July 2008). This study reports on opportunities for States and MPOs to incorporate climate change considerations into long-range transportation planning (LRTP) processes, including adaptation and mitigation practices. The study also describes examples of current state and MPO practices that link climate change and the LRTP process.
- Guidance: Planning Program Funds to Support Integration of Transportation, Land Use, and Climate Change (November 2008). Current FHWA/FTA planning requirements (23 U.S.C. 134 and 135, 49 U.S.C. 5303 and 5304) call for MPOs and State DOTs to consider land use and economic development impacts in their transportation planning processes. The FHWA/FTA issued guidance to clarify the eligibility and criteria for use of FHWA/FTA metropolitan and statewide planning program funds to support Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and State Planning and Research (SPR) work activities addressing the integration of transportation, land use, and climate change.
Alternative Fuels & Energy
- Renewable Energy Generation in the Highway Right-of-Way Briefing Book (May 2015) The briefing book provides a high level overview of Renewable energy highway projects, including potential business models and funding sources, and applicable federal and state regulatory requirements.(PDF 421 KB)
- Feasibility and Implications of Electric Vehicle (EV) Deployment and Infrastructure Development (January 2015) - This project evaluated the prospects and expectations for short and long-term deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) and analyzed the potential impact of this deployment on the mission of the FHWA. The FHWA undertook the study for the following reasons: (1) to provide information on the expected market penetration and viability of EVs in both the short and long-term; (2) analyze the implications for FHWA's mission; (3) analyze the potential financial implications for available highway revenues; and (4) to assist State and local transportation agencies in understanding if, and how, transportation infrastructure may have to change to facilitate, support, and/or provide emergency response to EVs.
- Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV) Action Tool and Workshop Materials (2012) are a resource for learning about PEVs and best practices from state agencies. The Action Tool helps state DOTs determine their goals for PEV deployment and chart out a path for reaching those goals. The project was a partnership between US DOT and the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions.
- An Action Plan to Integrate Plug-in Electric Vehicles with the U.S. Electrical Grid (2012) proposes a set of recommendations for integrating plug-in electric vehicles with the U.S. electrical grid nationwide. The plan addresses the respective roles of the various government and private sector players, lays out a timeline for critical steps, and describes an adaptive strategy that takes into account lessons learned. (Completed) (PDF 1.8 MB)
- Plug-in Electric Vehicles Market: State of Play (2011) identifies and explains (1) challenges for the nationwide development of the plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) market, (2) public policies in place to support PEV deployment, (3) PEV market forecasts, and (4) current PEV deployment (Completed) (PDF 580 KB)
- Plug-in Electric Vehicles: Literature Review (2011) summarizes (1) key externalities that PEVs might address; (2) issues related to PEVs, the electric power system, and the vehicle market; and (3) public policy options. (Completed) (PDF 968 KB)
Construction, Maintenance, System Operations
- Harnessing Pavement Power - Developing Renewable Energy Technology in the Public Right-of-way (September 2013). FHWA awarded an Exploratory Advanced Research Program study to Virginia Tech. The researchers developed a piezoelectric technology to recapture energy lost to pavement deformation from traffic loading and convert it to electricity for transportation infrastructure needs, such as lighting.
- Creating Productive Roadways - Developing an Advanced Energy Production, Storage, and Distribution System (May 2013). FHWA awarded an Exploratory Advanced Research Program study to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The researchers developed a roadside renewable energy power generation and distribution system. It uses solar panels and wind turbines alongside the roadway to power traffic signals.
- Carbon Sequestration Pilot Program Results (HTML) or (PDF - 424Kb) (May 2010).FHWA established the Carbon Sequestration Pilot Program (CSPP) in 2008 to assess whether a roadside carbon sequestration effort through modified maintenance and management practices is appropriate and feasible for state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) when balanced against ecological and economic uncertainties. In addition to this report, FHWA has developed a Highway Carbon Sequestration Estimator to help DOTs assess the return on investment for various carbon sequestration scenarios. The decision-support tool allows transportation officials to make estimates based on state-specific considerations. The Estimator tool may be acquired by contacting Carson.Poe@dot.gov.
Multi-modal
Archive