Paving the Way for a Greener Future for Transportation

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is going green by letting sheep graze on its property rather than hiring a mower.*

As the transportation industry adapts to a more environmentally-friendly platform, many areas that affect climate change are being explored while moving forward with new developments, funding sources and innovation. Cleaner fuels and technologies, expansion of high-speed rail, sustainable systems, better-developed transportation corridors and an increase in use of hybrid vehicles are just some of the core areas that have already started to change the way the industry operates.

“I think that virtually all transportation systems around the country are putting green practices in place because it makes good business sense and good environmental sense,” said Rose Sheridan, Vice President of Communications for the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

Better Transportation Options

Taking center stage is the movement to provide better and more attractive transportation options that operate on cleaner fuels and systems, which reduce the nation’s dependency on fossil fuels, which release damaging CO2 emissions into the environment. Experts say the challenge is in building better public transportation to encourage motorists to utilize them instead of automobiles.

“A transit system can comprise the greenest of earth-friendly, energy-efficient facilities and fleet, but it does little good if people keep choosing their automobile instead of taking the train or bus. An empty bus cannot be a sustainable bus. If transit doesn't succeed in integrating and serving the community, it can actually be an environmental and economic burden and even a scar upon the landscape,” said Tian Feng, District Architect, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District and author of APTA’s report “Transit Sustainability Practice Compendium” that was released in August.

Employees of the Tri-MET of Oregon plant a native tree along a new Green Line in downtown Portland.*

More Sustainable Systems and Vehicles

Since transportation is the cause of a large chunk of carbon emissions, the green movement is well underway to create more sustainable transportation systems throughout the country and increase the number of hybrid vehicles for personal and freight transit.
  
“The transportation sector currently accounts for just under a third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, more than half of nitrogen oxide emissions, and almost three-quarters of our petroleum consumption. We need to change that profile, and soon,” said Ray LaHood, Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT) at the National Energy Summit in September.

LaHood said Congress needs to pass comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation, as well as approve a new transportation Reauthorization plan that’s focused on reducing carbon emissions and American dependence on oil.

“[The legislation] will give the transportation sector the flexibility to work out the best combination of new technologies, new energy sources, and better operating procedures to efficiently and effectively reduce emissions while meeting the transportation needs of all Americans,” said LaHood.

Hybrid Bus - Capital District Transportation Authority, Albany, NY* 

Sustainability Requires New Way of Thinking

Experts agree that a new way of thinking about transit is required to design and operate sustainable transportation.

“There is no doubt that public transportation today is one of the most effective ways for our nation to combat climate change and protect our environment. As we move into the future, the industry can do even more; this will require that transit systems step up efforts to reduce their own environmental footprint but, more importantly, communities will need to radically change their thinking and invest more in sustainable transportation choices such as public transit,” said Sheridan.

Workers install solar photovoltaic panels on the roof of the Connectivut Transit maintenance facility.*

ATPA Transit Sustainability Report     
      
APTA’s Transit Sustainability Report, which brought together a diverse team of public and private-sector transit experts from the U.S. and Canada, provides transit sustainability guidelines in system planning, land use, materials, energy use, ambient environmental health and emissions and pollution reduction.

The guidelines include the following recommendations:

* Make sustainability a part your organization's strategic objectives
* Identify a sustainability champion within the organization to guide your efforts Create a sustainability culture within your organization and raise awareness of its importance.
* Undertake an inventory of your organization's practices, and use sustainable practices such as reducing water usage, reducing hazardous waste and chemical usage in all agency facilities, and setting a recycling policy.
* Integrate sustainable practices into system and facilities design and construction.
* Establish a no idling policy to minimize fuel consumption 
* Build in photovoltaics and/or green roofs into agency/company buildings

Cincinnati Metro's soybean biodiesel wrapped bus.*

Federal Partnerships on Sustainability

At the national level, Federal departments are coming together to address climate change by creating initiatives that cross boundaries. DOT and the Environmental Protection Agency have proposed new standards for fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards for cars and light-duty trucks. The standards would apply to model years 2012 through 2016. “The standards would conserve 1.8 billion barrels of oil, save the average consumer more than $3,000 in fuel costs, and increase fuel economy by roughly five percent a year,” said LaHood.

Another partnership with DOT, EPA and HUD helps to coordinate and direct federal investments in transportation, housing, improved air quality and water infrastructure across the country. LaHood says the partnership will lead to more transportation options, affordable housing choices near transit, and greater access to jobs, education, health care, and other vital services.

Funding plays a key role in the pace of incorporating green standards within the industry.  President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides $1.5 billion for creative, intermodal projects that promote livability and sustainability in cities and towns across America.

“We’re talking about transforming this country in ways we have not considered in a very long time. But we have no choice. Our ability to compete and sustain our quality of life depends on it,” said LaHood.

*All photos courtesy of APTA.