NCHRP Project 08-36
Proposed Research Problem Statement
1. Title
Synthesis of State DOT and MPO Planning and Analysis on Strategies to Reduce Greenhouse Gas
Emissions
2. Background
This project would provide a synthesis of the planning and analyses being done by MPOs and state
DOTs on strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The results will help educate other
MPOs and state DOTs who have not begun considering GHG reduction strategies in their own
planning processes.
In general, the funds requested would be used to:
 Identify MPOs and state DOTs that are taking action to reduce GHGs, or analyzing the potential
of strategies and combinations of strategies to meet future GHG reduction targets
 Compare and contrast the methods being used and the predicted GHG reduction potential of
various strategies.
 Develop a final report and educational webinar
3. Statement of Urgency
The President and several legislative proposals have suggested a national GHG reduction target of
80% below 2005 levels by 2050. In addition, many states have set or are considering setting GHG
reduction targets at similar levels. Although different sectors of the economy may be asked to
achieve different levels of reductions, the transportation sector needs to be prepared to make
reductions. Specifically, state DOTs and MPOs need to be prepared to identify strategies and
combinations of strategies that would achieve various levels of emissions reductions. Only a handful
of state DOTs and MPOs have attempted to identify and analyze the reduction potential of strategies
for their specific area, and it is important for these to serve as a learning opportunity for the rest of the
country.
4. Project Objective(s)
The purpose of this research is to (1) identify which state DOTs and MPOs have conducted thorough
analyses of strategies needed to reduce GHG emissions to a given target level and considered
incorporating these strategies into their transportation planning and (2) provide a synthesis of the
types of analyses used by each of these state DOTs and MPOs, including similarities and differences
between the types.
5. Relationship to Existing Body of Knowledge
There are several completed and ongoing research efforts that have analyzed the potential of various
strategies to reduce GHG emissions in the transportation sector, including:
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SHRP 2 CO9: Incorporating GHG Emissions into the Collaborative Decision-Making Process
NCHRP 20-24(70): Update the 2003 Report Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from U.S.
Transportation
FHWA contract – RSG/RAND/The Planning Center: Mitigation Guidebook and Web-Based Tool
& Climate Change Scenario Planning
FHWA-BAA Awarded to PB/AMPO: Global Climate Change, Capacity Building for MPOs
Some of these studies have taken a scenario approach by looking at the potential from not just
individual strategies but bundles of strategies that could be used by state departments of
transportation (DOTs) and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). These studies have provided
a wealth of information to transportation professionals who are or may be asked in the future to
reduce emissions from the transportation sector. Despite the progress that has been made, more
information is needed on what the real reduction potentials are at the local level. Anticipating that
federal policy discussions will continue to consider a national GHG reduction target and/or the
inclusion of GHGs in transportation planning, AASHTO and AMPO wish to have more information
about what state DOTs and MPOs are doing to analyze and plan the potential GHG reductions from
strategies that are realistic to their locale.
6. List of Anticipated Work Tasks
1. Determine which state DOTs and MPOs are taking action to reduce GHGs, or analyzing the
potential of strategies and combinations of strategies to meet future GHG reduction targets.
This list could include, but should not be limited to: Washington State DOT, Puget Sound
(PSRC), Washington D.C. (MWCOG), Chicago (CMAP), Los Angeles (SCAG), San
Francisco (MTC), San Diego (SANDAG), and Sacramento (SACOG).
2. Synthesize what each of the identified state DOTs and MPOs are doing to address GHGs.
Look at their policies, analyses, strategies, etc. What are the policies that are driving the state
DOT or MPO to take action? What kinds of policies/plans are they implementing? What
types of analyses have they done? What strategies are they focusing on and what levels of
GHG reductions do they hope to achieve with those strategies? What coordination/outreach
processes are they using or planning to use (especially MPO coordination with state DOTs)?
3. Compare and contrast the analysis methods being used by each state DOT and MPO. What
kinds of assumptions are included? What are the limitations? The comparison should provide
a discussion of the conclusions drawn by the transportation practitioners from each analysis,
and a review of the availability of models and data (and any identified gaps or needs).
4. Provide a detailed report based upon Tasks 1 – 3 that summarizes the analyses, policies, and
strategies being considered by the identified state DOTs and MPOs. The report shall be
prepared to be useful to AASHTO and AMPO leadership, state DOTs, MPOs, and policy
makers engaged in Federal and state legislative and policy discussions.
5. Develop an educational webinar so that other state DOTs and MPOs can learn what the select
state DOTs and MPOs identified in the study are doing to address GHG reduction targets.
7. Estimate of Funds Needed
$100k split between NCHRP 25-25 ($50k) and NCHRP 08-36 ($50k).
This request for NCHRP 08-36 is for $50k.
8. Estimate of Time Needed to Complete the Research
12 months
9. Name, Affiliation and Contact Information of Submitter(s)
Paula Hammond, Secretary of Washington State DOT & Chair of AASHTO Climate Change Steering
Committee
DeLania Hardy, Executive Director of AMPO
10. Date of Submittal
10/1/2010