US DOT releases ‘Climate Strategies that Work’
The US DOT has released the Climate Strategies that Work Playbook, building on its 2023 National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization, recognizing the role of land use and transportation planning in climate change. CNU provided insights and recommendations for a report to Congress that expanded on the Blueprint.
“This resource is a menu of 27 options for climate action planning at the State, Tribal, regional, and local levels,” Liya Rechtman, of the Office of Secretary of Transportation, told CNU. “We’ve included federal funding opportunities and a literature review on emissions reductions, safety, and cost savings. I also think it's useful for philanthropies, non-profits, and industry working on sectoral climate action planning.”
The Playbook is a “comprehensive resource to guide cities, regions, industry leaders, philanthropic strategists, and transportation professionals at every level in implementing the most effective strategies for reducing transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions.”
The 27 options are in four main buckets: Active Transportation, Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure, Freight Operational Strategies, and transit-oriented development (TOD). The first and the last are of particular interest to urbanists and urban designers.
Active transportation
Walking, biking, and rolling—collectively known as active transportation or micromobility—are fundamental elements of sustainable, connected, and vibrant communities, DOT explains. “This inherent connection to daily travel is underscored by recent data: in 2021, over half (52%) of all trips in the U.S. were less than three miles – suitable for a twenty-minute bike ride; and a significant portion (28%) of trips less than one mile,” DOT says. The climate impact of shifting these trips to active transportation is significant and calculated in the Playbook. DOT lists infrastructure tools that are helpful to generate climate-friendly trips, which are supported by land-use policy that encourages pedestrian-oriented infrastructure.
Infrastructure for pedestrians
- Curb extensions (also known as Bulb-outs)
- Landscaping, Street Furniture, and Shade
- Quality, continuous, wide sidewalks
- Tactile wayfinding systems to assist visually
impaired travelers - Signalized, high visibility pedestrian crossings
with Audible and Visual Countdowns - Mid-block/refugee islands
- Bicycle/pedestrian bridges
- Pedestrian Zones/Pedestrian Streets
- Woonerf or “Living Street” (Characterized by
shared spaces where vehicles are allowed but
must yield to non-motorized users, woonerfs
encourage slower speeds and foster
community interaction)
Infrastructure for bike/scooters/other micromobility devices
A safe and accessible active transportation network goes beyond just physical infrastructure. Elements of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and supportive programs, may include:
- Protected or shared bike lanes
- Separation/buffers
- Intersection treatments for bicycles (bicycle boxes, stop
bars, lead signal indicators) - Wayfinding and Signage
- Secure parking and storage facilities
- Bike Share Programs
- Bike Repair/Tool Stations
- Bike Rebates and Tax Credits
- Bike Schools, Bike Ambassadors and Capacity Building
- Community Rides
- Ramps
- Bike Racks
Shared Infrastructure
- Lighting
- Workplace or destination-based facilities / supportive
infrastructure (lockers, changing facilities, secure parking) - Traffic calming
- Integration with Transit
Transit-oriented development
Supporting mixed-use development, including affordable housing, near transit can reduce trip distances and make public transportation more convenient, DOT explains. TOD is usually defined as development within a half mile of transit. TOD can also make accessing common destinations and public services like grocery stores, schools, and libraries easier.
“Compact development through TOD, mixed land use, and co-location of residences and jobs can reduce GHG emissions by 23 percent to 26 percent by 2050 compared to a business-as-usual scenario (IPCC, 2022).”
