Transportation's Role in Reducing U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions ...

Transportation's Role in Reducing U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Volume 1
employers and workers, as well as trip reduction programs for communitywide
travel to nonwork destinations (e.g., universities, schools, special
events). Example strategies include telework, compressed work week, transit
benefits, and rideshare support;
• Federal guidance for highway design and reconstruction that require
accommodation of pedestrians and bicycles and application of contextsensitive
design principles in all projects;
• Support for pricing initiatives (e.g., congestion pricing, State VMT fees,
parking fees); and
• Promotion of eco-driving, which aims to change individuals’ driving
behavior and techniques to reduce fuel usage and GHG emissions without
changing the number or length of trips.
The actions and strategies under this category have modest to moderate impacts
on GHG reductions, but transit, carpooling, bicycle, pedestrian, and other
ridesharing programs also serve to enhance access to jobs and opportunities,
particularly for low-income groups. Expanding traditional programs in this
category and implementing new initiatives can address equity issues that would
be created by actions that increase the costs of travel. Policy actions that increase
costs—such as economy-wide or other pricing measures—must be offset with
policy actions that provide desirable travel choices for low-income and autodependent
users.
Legislation also could mandate that States authorize or require companies to
offer Pay-as-You-Drive (PAYD) insurance. This would make insurance costs
more transparent and provide an incentive for drivers to limit unnecessary
travel. Pay-as-You-Drive would have a modest to moderate additional impact
on GHG reductions in the mid-term.
Market-based Incentives
Mechanism • Surface Transportation Authorization
• Climate or energy legislation
Key Options • Tax credits, feebates, subsidies, vehicle miles traveled
fees
DOT Role • Development of Authorization legislation proposals
Magnitude and Timing of Transportation
GHG Reduction
• Technical support to Congress
• Moderate, depending on pricing level, in the mid-term;
potentially very strong in long-term
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