SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION: THE ROAD FROM KYOTO

As a result of the 1997 Kyoto Conference on climate change, our nation is exploring options to reduce the consumption of fossil fuel to protect global climate and create a sustainable transportation system. This article provides an overview of the global climate-change issue and transportation's role in it, describes the broader problem of sustainability, and defines the issues and challenges to the transportation community. Sustainability is a broader issue than global climate change. A transportation system cannot be sustainable and only address an environmental issue. A sustainable transportation system balances short- and long-term needs for the environment, economic growth, and community. One outcome of Kyoto may be that transportation will be establishing a preliminary benchmark to reduce its pro rata share of greenhouse gas emissions. Ongoing federal programs for energy conservation will also help to address climate-change issues, such as increasing the fuel economy of cars, promoting transit and pedestrian access, reducing energy consumption in buildings, and developing alternative fuels and technologies. The Federal Highway Administration plans to take a leadership role in this emerging area and has proposed a Sustainable Transportation Initiative in the fiscal year 1999 budget submission. This program will provide grants to state and local agencies for case studies of sustainable transportation options and develop and share best practices and decision-making processes.

Language

  • English

Media Info

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00750519
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS, USDOT
  • Created Date: Jun 22 1998 12:00AM