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

Transportation’s Role in Reducing U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Volume 2
an average cost of $211 per person. Pedestrian plans in four cities were on the same order
of magnitude.
Moving Cooler developed three hypothetical scenarios of nationwide pedestrian
improvements which were estimated to cost between $20 and $55 billion over a 15-year
period, with three scenarios of bicycle improvements costing between $6 and $59 billion.
The funding range amounts to an annual Federal investment in bicycle and pedestrian
facilities of approximately $760 million to $3 billion. 30
5-52
The low end is actually lower than
current Federal-aid obligations for pedestrian and bicycle projects of $1.2 billion in FY
2009. The $1.2 billion figure does not include all FHWA or FTA spending on bike/ped
facilities. Bike/ped projects are broadly eligible for almost all FHWA and FTA program
funds. See http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/bkepedtble.htm.
Additional maintenance
costs are anticipated beyond this initial investment period. The resulting cost-effectiveness
estimates range from $180 to $200 per ton CO2e reduced for the pedestrian improvements,
and $80 to $210 for the bicycle improvements, averaged over the 2010-2050 period.
Considering vehicle operating cost savings, net cost-effectiveness is in the range of -$600 to
-$700 per tonne (Cambridge Systematics, 2009).
The costs of bicycle and pedestrian improvements will largely be borne by the public
sector, including municipalities as well as regional and State agencies. However, for new
development, they often can be recouped from the private developer. For example, many
cities require developers to include sidewalks and other pedestrian enhancements as part
of their project. Local street and trail improvements in new developments may also be
paid for through impact fees or other developer contributions.
Cobenefits
Nonmotorized improvements will provide increased opportunities for and encourage
recreational activity as well as nonmotorized transportation, thereby increasing physical
activity and improving public health. Estimates suggest that nearly 70 percent of
American adults do not obtain recommended physical activity levels (U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, 1996). Similarly, sedentary lifestyles are associated with the
rapid increase in the percentage of adults that are overweight and obese; 64 percent of
30 The $114 billion over 15 years ($55 billion + $59 billion) high end figure reflects all spending on
bicycle and pedestrian improvements, from Federal, State, local, private developer, and other
sources. $114/15 years is $7.6 billion per year. According to the U.S. DOT Conditions and
Performance Report, 44% of capital funding for highways comes from Federal sources while 56%
comes from State, local, and other sources. 44% of $7.6 billion would be $3 billion per year in
Federal spending on bike/ped facilities. (Data is not immediately available on the percent of
bike/ped funding from Federal versus other sources. However, it is likely lower than 44% as
these facilities are often placed on local roads and private developers often bear the cost of
providing sidewalks and other amenities as part of their development.) The $26 billion low end
figure over 15 years amounts to $1.7 billion annually. A 44% Federal share would be $760 million
annually.