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Methodology for Estimating Green House Gas Emissions and Assessing Mitigation Options for Project Level Applications for O-Road Mobile Sources

Graciela Lubertino, Ph.D.H-GAC

Joe Zietsman, TTITara Ramani, TTI

Trends in Texas GHG Emissions Texas (if it were a country) would rank

seventh in the world for its GHG emissions Transportation is 30% of total CO2

VMT increased 10% per year from 1990 to 2000

VMT increased 10% from 2002 to 2007 for the Houston region

Population growth at about double the rate of the country

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Policy Issues

The 2009 EPA endangerment finding – is the most powerful federal policy to date

State level programs in Texas: TERP LIRAP HB 1795 – requires TCEQ to develop an

inventory of voluntary actions to reduce CO2 emissions

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Policy Issues

Texas municipal-level actions:

City of Houston and City of Austin working on a comprehensive climate action plan

But most municipalities still waiting for state and federal policy makers.

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Methodology for Project Level Analysis

An analytical tool in the form of a spreadsheet-based calculator

Combines the emission estimations of each project with the emission reductions from mitigation strategies

Based on user input data

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Methodology for Project Level Analysis Calculate on-road mobile source GHG emissions for

baseline year – Build vs. No-Build at completion year for the project.

Calculate on-road mobile source GHG emissions for future years.

List of GHGs control strategies. Quantifications of CO2 emission reductions

associated with the selected mitigation options. Calculations will involve the use of EPA’s MOVES

model for CO2 emissions factors and activity data from the travel demand model.

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Projects to Analyze from the Regional Plan

Roadway Traffic Flow Improvements Transit Pedestrian/Bicycle

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Selection Criteria for Control Strategies

Cost effectiveness Potential emission reductions Applicability

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Control Strategies

HOV lanes TTI and Caltrans studies showed lowest levels

of gasoline consumption against the no-build and build-general purpose.

Transit Ex: expansion transit infrastructure, ridership

increased – 10,181 MMtCO2 (by 2012 Miami-FL)

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Control Strategies

Mixed Land Use Development or “Livable Centers”

Encourage jobs/housing/commercial proximity and developments along transit corridors – 18 MMtCO2 by 2020, California

Electrification of Vehicle Fleet PZEV emit half the amount of CO2

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Control Strategies

Carbon Sequestration

Trees are a good sink of CO2

Upto 6 MtCO2e reduction per tree for a 40 year life span

Need to be taken into account how to manage them

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Control Strategies

Eco-Driving and Anti-Idling Policies

Outreach program endorsed by 20 states – info about vehicle maintenance and driving habits – 2.2 MMtCO2 by 2025, Michigan

Reduce idling time for heavy duty diesel trucks – 1.4 MMtCO2e by 2020,California

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Questions???Graciela.Lubertino@h-gac.com

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