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Department of  Transportation
Principal Areas of Focus
DOT utilizes existing science to improve decisionmaking tools in three primary
areas: (1) impact of climate variability and change on transportation (research
to examine the effects that climate change and variability may have on transportation
infrastructure and services, and to identify potential adaptation strategies
for use by transportation decisionmakers, operators, state and local planners,
and infrastructure builders); (2) increasing energy efficiency and reducing
greenhouse gases (research on reducing energy use will cover mitigation of
transportation’s environmental impacts both through conservation and
through the application of new technology); and (3) modeling (research to develop
and improve analytical tools for transportation energy use to support decisionmaking
throughout government and in the private sector). Program Highlights for FY 2004 and FY 2005
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s virtual Center
for Climate Change and Environmental Forecasting plans to complete
research in four areas in FY 2004 – 2005, including Measuring
the Greenhouse Gas Intensity of the Transportation Sector; Stock
Modeling for Selected Transportation Equipment;
Characterization of Power Plant Emissions and Fuel Quality; and Consumption
Rates of the U.S. Waterborne Fleet. DOT also will complete an
Evaluation of the New York State Energy Plan.
As a Synthesis and Assessment project under the President’s Climate
Change Research Initiative, the Department will continue research on The
Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Transportation Systems through
a case study of transportation infrastructure in the Gulf Coast. Phase I of
the project will formally begin in FY 2004 through joint research with the
United States Geologic Survey. The first phase will provide an integrated overview
of climate and weather trends and projections in the Gulf Coast region with
other relevant environmental, economic, and demographic data; assess the potential
implications of these changes for transportation infrastructure and facilities;
and conduct an initial assessment of relative infrastructure sensitivities
in the region.
The Center has already completed research on five topics in FY 2003 – 2004
that address the links between transportation and climate change, including
the potential impacts of climate change on transportation. Copies
of the reports and more information on the center are available online.
- Fuel Options for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Motor Vehicles
Assesses the potential of gasoline substitutes to reduce emissions of
carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases by automobiles and light-duty trucks.
- Modeling of Advanced Technology Vehicles
Reviews some methods for representing advanced technology vehicles in
engineering and market simulation models.
- Passenger Ferries, Air Quality, and Greenhouse Gases: Can System Expansion
Result in Fewer Emissions in the San Francisco Bay Area?
Evaluates the potential greenhouse gas benefits achievable through better
integration of passenger ferries under several ferry technology and fueling
options.
- The Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Transportation: Workshop
Summary and Proceedings
Summarizes and provides eighteen discussion papers from the Center’s
October 2002 workshop exploring the potential impacts of climate change
on transportation systems and services.
- Greenhouse Gas Reduction Through State and Local Transportation Planning
Evaluates how and why states, metropolitan planning organizations, cities,
and transportation providers are pursuing GHG emission reductions, with a
focus on transportation planning.
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