Transportation affects and is affected by climate change. Cars, trucks, and buses emit greenhouse gases responsible for climate change, and transportation infrastructure is threatened by things like sea level rise, flash flooding, heat waves, and other extreme weather.
Both COG and the TPB have undertaken climate mitigation and preparedness efforts to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt transportation facilities and development patterns to the effects of climate change that are already underway or unavoidable.
Climate Change Mitigation Planning
At its June 2022 meeting, the TPB adopted Resolution R18-2022 detailing new greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals and strategies specific to the on-road transportation sector. This decision was informed in part by TPB and COG work on the topic, including the TPB's Climate Change Mitigation Study of 2021. TPB member considerations of the feasibility of each strategy, a TPB member survey, and discussions during two climate change mitigation work sessions in spring 2022.
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals and Strategies
The TPB adopted regional voluntary, on-road transportation-sector-specific GHG reduction goals of 50% below 2005 levels by 2030 and 80% below 2005 levels by 2050. The TPB also adopted seven greenhouse reduction strategies that have the potential to reduce on-road transportation GHG emissions. In addition, the TPB identified seven other GHG reduction strategies which merit further discussion and study so that they may be considered for possible future inclusion in the region's planning priorities. The study will take place during FY 2024. More information can be found in Chapter 6 of the Visualize 2045 plan (2022 update) beginning on page 133.
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategies to Implement
- Improve bike/walk access to all TPB-identified high-capacity transit stations.
- Increase walk/bike modes of travel - Complete the TPB’s National Capital Trail Network by 2030.
- Convert private and public sector light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles, and public transit buses to clean fuels by 2030.
- Deploy a region-wide robust electric vehicle charging network (or refueling stations for alternate fuels).
- Add additional housing units near TPB-identified high-capacity transit stations and in COG’s Regional Activity Centers.
- Reduce travel times on all public transportation bus services.
- Implement transportation system management and operations (TSMO) improvement measures at all eligible locations by 2030.
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategies to Explore
- Take action to shift growth in jobs and housing from locations currently forecast to locations near COG's Regional Activity Centers to improve the jobs-housing balance locally.
- Make all public bus transportation in the region fare-free by 2030.
- Make all public rail transportation in the region fare-free by 2030.
- Price workplace parking for employees – only in Activity Centers by 2030 and everywhere by 2050.
- Convert a higher proportion of daily work trips to telework by 2030 and beyond.
- Charge a new fee per vehicle mile of travel (VMT) by motorized, private, passenger vehicles in addition to the prevailing transportation fees and fuel taxes.
- Charge a “cordon fee,” per motorized vehicle trip for all vehicles entering Activity Centers by 2030.
New Federal Funding Programs
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), both signed into law in 2022, provide new federal funding dedicated to shifting the U.S. away from fossil fuel use and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Some of the notable programs that have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from on-road transportation include:
The CRP requires state DOTs to develop carbon reduction strategies in coordination with MPOs in the state. The District DOT, Maryland DOT, and Virginia DOT shared their carbon reduction strategies with the TPB on October 18, 2023. The strategy documents, which must be updated at least once every four years, are available on the FHWA CRP website. Carbon Reduction Strategy plans identify projects and strategies to reduce transportation emissions. Potential strategies include (a) encouraging use of alternatives to single-occupant vehicle (SOV) trips, (b) facilitating the use of vehicles or modes with a lower per person-mile of travel emissions rate, and (c) utilizing practices in the construction of transportation assets that result in lower emissions.
The CRP also provides funds for "projects designed to reduce transportation emissions, defined as carbon dioxide emissions from on-road transportation sources." At the July 2024 TPB meeting, District DOT, Maryland DOT, and Virginia DOT briefed the TPB on their project identification and selection process at the meeting, and the TPB also approved the first round of Maryland projects for CRP funding.
The CPRG was established by the Inflation Reduction Act and provides funding to states, regions, and local governments for greenhouse gas emissions reduction and air pollution projects. COG, through funding allocated to the District of Columbia, coordinated the development of a Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) for the broader Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) which included jurisdictions outside the COG region that chose to participate. Development of a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) for the MSA will kick off in fall 2024 and is expected to be complete in early summer 2025. More information can be found on COG’s CPRG webpage.
CFI was established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to strategically deploy publicly accessible electric vehicle charging and alternative fueling infrastructure. COG is coordinating a regional application in response to the May 30, 2024, Notice of Funding Opportunity. The TPB will assist states and local jurisdictions with EV infrastructure planning and applications for future funding. In addition, TPB staff have commissioned the development of a Regional Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Implementation (REVII) Strategy to support funding applications.
The NEVI Formula Program provides $5 billion in funding from FY 2022 though FY 2026 for “states to strategically deploy EV charging infrastructure and establish an interconnected network to facilitate data collection, access, and reliability.” Each state was required to develop a plan to identify infrastructure locations along designated Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs) or proposed alternative public locations and roads for EV charging station installation. State NEVI plans are available on the FHWA website.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Low or No Emission (Low-No) Vehicle Program “supports transit agencies in purchasing or leasing low- or no-emission buses and other transit vehicles that use technologies such as battery electric and fuel-cell power to provide cleaner, more efficient transit service in communities across the country.” The Low-No program received additional funding under BIL. The FY 2024 round of grants included two awards in the TPB region: Prince George's County ($25 million) and Fairfax County ($50 million). The TPB will continue to support applications by agencies in the region through letters and amendments to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) as needed to ensure the receipt of federal funding.