General Resources
Thomas C. Austin, Thomas R. Carlson, James M. Lyons. Sierra Research Inc.
This report discusses the effectiveness of different strategies of reducing US dependence on foreign fossil fuels.
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Through State and Local Transportation Planning - Final Report (2003) (PDF 1.11MB)
U.S. Department of Transportation, Center for Climate Change and Environmental Forecasting
This report evaluates how states and local areas might contribute to GHG emission reduction through transportation planning. Seven case studies focus on the broad transportation planning process, strategies and other actions selected, and GHG emission reductions accomplished or projected.
Greening Fleets: A Roadmap to Lower Costs and Cleaner Corporate Fleets (PDF 287kb)
Environmental Defense Fund
This report highlights a partnership to develop best practices for reducing GHG emissions from corporate fleets while lowering costs. The reports finds several companies using the vehicle fleet manager and leasing company PHH Arval Inc.'s GreenFleet program achieved emission reductions averaging 14 percent while reducing operating costs by 4 percent.
Incorporating Climate Change Considerations into the Transportation Planning Process (2009)
Meyer, Michael D; Schmidt, Nicholas. Transportation Research Board
Transportation emissions are a significant contributor to climate change. Transportation plans and related documentation of metropolitan planning organizations and international cities were reviewed to ascertain whether climate change considerations are being incorporated into the transportation planning process. The review revealed that climate change considerations have not yet been included in a majority of cases in the transportation planning process, especially with regard to adapting transportation systems to the potential effects of climate change.
Policy Options for Reducing CO2 Emissions (2008) (PDF 606kb)
Congressional Budget Office
This report compares the incentive-based approaches to curb activities that produce CO2 emissions, such as tax on emissions, cap on the total annual level of emissions, and a modified cap-and-trade program. These approaches were examined based on three criteria: 1) efficiency considerations, 2) implementation considerations, and 3) international consistency considerations.
Land Use Strategies
U.S. Department of Transportation, Center for Climate Change and Environmental Forecasting
This study identifies long range transportation planning (LRTP) best practices for climate protection and energy efficiency outcomes, which were selected based on interviews with LRTP professionals, a literature search, and a review of state LRTPs in the 29 states with Climate Action Plans, or gubernatorial initiatives directing state agencies to coordinate planning for climate and energy efficiency outcomes. Fifteen state transportation plans were selected to further analyze planning processes that contain a specific intention to integrate climate and energy outcomes into long range transportation planning and identify best practices for integration by state Department of Transportations (DOTs).
Assessment of Local Models and Tools for Analyzing Smart-Growth Strategies (2007) (PDF 4.3mb)
California Department of Transportation
This study focuses on models and tools available for use by cities and counties in California for assessing the potential effects of smart-growth strategies. The majority of regional agencies and local jurisdictions in California currently use a version of the Urban Transportation Modeling System (UTMS), commonly referred to as the “four-step travel demand model.” This study provides a review of the steps in the UTMS process to identify where sensitivity to smart-growth strategies may be limited during the modeling process, and suggests ways that improvements could be made.
Center for Clean Air Policy Transportation Guidebook (2007)
Center for Clean Air Policy
The CCAP Transportation Guidebook is to engage state and local officials in understanding the extent to which policy decisions impact air pollution, energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions. The Emissions Guidebook consists of two parts: 1) Land Use, Transit, and Demand Management, focusing on policies related to travel demand and examines the impacts of land use and investment decisions on transportation emissions and 2) Vehicle Technology and Fuels, focusing on measures that influence vehicle technology, fuel and operational choices that impact transportation emissions.
Current Practices in Greenhouse Gas Emissions Savings from Transit (PDF 7.94 mb)
Transit Cooperative Research Program
This study describes the role of transit agencies in reducing GHG emissions and catalogs the current practices of a sample of agencies. Research for this study included a literature review, a survey of 62 transit agencies, with 41 responding (66%); and interviews with three agencies.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
This site provides information about research, tools, partnerships, case studies, grants, and technical assistance to encourage and support smart growth across the U.S.
Mass Transit / Public Transportation
Traveler Response to Transportation System Changes Handbook (1999-2008)
Transportation Research Board
This sourcebook examines how travel demand is affected by transportation system changes and built environment options. Strategies examined include multimodal/ intermodal facilities, transit facilities and services, public transit operations, transportation pricing, land use and non-motorized travel, and transportation demand management.