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| Sustainable Transportation Programs |
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Increasing transportation options for clean air through research and demonstration
On October 17, 2006, HARC hosted a meeting to discuss Hydraulic Hybrid technology and applications in delivery trucks, refuse haulers and school buses. Copies of the briefing materials are now available.
Transportation problems in urban areas are intrinsically linked to air quality and energy consideration. Increasing demand for transportation has become the largest contributor to poor air quality in many U.S. cities. Even Houston, where point source emissions from manufacturing facilities continue to pose a challenge, will become increasingly concerned about transportation emission sources as point source emissions are reduced substantially over the next few years.
The complexities of urban transportation range from the simple act of walking to the engineering and science of today's engines, fuels and vehicles. HARC's involvement in transportation and air quality has included such diverse areas as alternative fuels and vehicles, assessment of the impacts of new transportation technologies, transportation policies and strategies, transportation air quality research management, and transportation planning.
HARC has developed a unique strategy for addressing air quality issues of transportation through a place-based decision process.The Sustainable Transportation Program has been created to provide a focal point within HARC for transportation, air quality, energy and technology projects that involve the skills and experience of HARC's Sustainable Technologies, Energy, Environment and Policy Groups.
Transportation/Air Quality Projects
Transportation projects at HARC currently include mobile and nonroad air quality projects, a hybrid electric truck project, and the Transportation & Air Quality Forum (TAQF).
Additional initiatives and projects will be added during 2004 including new transportation/air quality research projects and pilot projects for emission reductions from heavy-duty vehicles. These projects will typically involve partnerships with other research organizations, universities, governmental agencies and private companies.
Transportation & Air Quality Forum
Many effective transportation options that improve air quality never become part of regional strategies. The regional decision processes often lack the needed continuity from project identification through selection because of intervening regional issues, crises, and focused resources. The Transportation & Air Quality Forum (TAQF) will demonstrate how transportation options can be applied more effectively to address regional air quality concerns. The Forum will design, test, evaluate, and deploy a unique and comprehensive approach that will be implemented first in Texas and then in other U.S. cities. The goals of TAQF include:
- To provide policymakers with information on the impact that surface transportation policies have on air quality in urban areas.
- To demonstrate that alternative transportation practices and new technologies can positively affect air quality.
- To model and quantify the possible impact of alternative practices and new technologies and make these findings available to other urban areas with significant air quality challenges.
- To test promising alternative practices and new technologies with pilot and demonstration projects, and communicate findings to stakeholders.
- To bring credible scientific information related to urban transportation alternatives to the regulatory and policy debate surrounding urban air quality.
- To develop a new level of understanding about and methods for studying the links between the social, economic, and cultural factors, including transportation preferences that impede or promote progress toward clean air.
Ford Escape Hybrid
Houston, TX Light Rail System
For additional information, contact
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| Page Updated/Reviewed: 12/05/2006 3:20 PM |
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