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2 Public Transportation’s Role in a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy Kevin Desmond King County Metro Transit Division Seattle, WA On behalf of the American Public Transportation Association Washington, DC 2

3 APTA - Who Are We? Trade association which represents and supports more than 1,500 members worldwide from offices located in Washington, D.C. with roots beginning in 1882 – the era of horse-drawn street railway cars 3

4 Snapshot of the Industry More than 6,000 transit systems in U.S.A billion trips taken in million times a day, people board public transportation Top 30 systems provide 70% of boardings 90% of transit riders travel on APTA member systems Approximately 366,000 operating employees, and 13,000 capital employees 4

55 Transit Use Growing Faster Than Highway Use (1995 – 2006) (12%) (24%) (30%)

6 Transit Shifting to Alternative Fueled Vehicles in U.S.A. Heavy rail cars 100% alternative fueled Light rail cars 98% alternative fueled Self-propelled commuter rail cars 98% alternative fueled, locomotives 11% alternative fueled Buses currently 19% alternative fueled, increased from only 2% in 1992 Buses on order on January 1, 2007 will be 37% alternative fueled Projected orders for buses will be 45% alternative fueled Source: 2007 Transit Vehicle Database, American Public Transportation Association, April 2007

7 Transportation is A Major Source of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Transportation creates 33% of U.S.A. GHG emissions GHG from mobile sources increased 29% from 1990 to 2004 From 1982 to 2005 vehicle miles of travel increased 3.6% per year From 1982 to 2005 congested hours of travel for commuters increased 7.5% per year Source: Public Transportation’s Contribution to U.S. Greenhouse Gas Reduction, SAIC, September 2007

8 Value of Transit in a Climate Change Strategy Household action immediate Supports efficient land use patterns reduction in travel Provides a “choice” for households desiring personal action Reduces congestion and improves fuel economy Preserves mobility in a climate of rising fuel prices 8

9 Connecting Transportation, Energy, and Environmental Policy Expansion of service coverage and frequency Any cap & trade, offsets program, etc. should recognize transit’s net benefit Climate change should be a consideration in transportation planning and prioritization Recognize the effect of small decisions – developer incentives, federal building location, transit pass fare structures 9

10 New Reports Quantify Transit Reduction of Fuel Use and GHG ICF International report finds that transit reduces petroleum use in U.S.A by 1.4 billion gallons annually SAIC report finds that transit reduces CO 2 emissions by 6.9 million tonnes per year APTA projects research in progress will find that land use impact of transit reduces petroleum use up to an additional 4.3 billion gallons and cuts CO 2 emissions up to an additional 38 million tonnes per year Urban Land Institute report finds that compact development dramatically reduces GHG emissions

11 Public Transportation and Petroleum Savings Completed by ICF International in January, 2007 Objective: Understand public transportation’s role in reducing petroleum use and understand effect on household expenditures in U.S.A. Aggregate analysis based on national PMT data, transit fuel use and average vehicle fuel efficiencies Includes fuel savings from reduced congestion resulting from transit Source: Public Transportation and Petroleum Savings in the U.S.: Reducing Dependence on Oil, ICF International, January

12 Shift From Auto to Transit Lowers Dependence on Foreign Fuel Saves 1.4 billion gallons of gasoline annually -- or 4 million gallons of gasoline per day Oil Consumption Drops

13 Research Findings Reduces U.S.A. gasoline consumption 1.4 billion gallons each year – equivalent to 33.5 million barrels of oil, equal to: 300,000 autos filling up every day 140,000 fewer tanker truck deliveries to service stations per year Significant household benefits for those who chose transit – two-adult household savings of $6,251 Household using transit average 29 VMT per day versus 45 VMT for other households Source: Public Transportation and Petroleum Savings in the U.S.: Reducing Dependence on Oil, ICF International, January

14 Public Transportation’s Contribution to Reducing Greenhouse Gases Completed by SAIC in September 2007 Objective - assess transit’s net contribution to greenhouse gases – emphasis on CO 2 Aggregate assessment - summary of all transit services throughout U.S.A. Source: Public Transportation’s Contribution to U.S. Greenhouse Gas Reduction, SAIC, September

15 Public Transportation is a Net Carbon Reducer 15  Public transportation helps avoid CO 2 from reduced vehicle travel  Additional CO 2 savings from reduced congestion  CO 2 produced from public transportation ___________________________  Total CO 2 savings from public transportation Million Tonnes +3.0 Million Tonnes Million Tonnes ____________________ +6.9 Million Tonnes

16 The Effect of Household Action 16

17 Efficient Land Use Can Magnify Transit Impacts Transit availability influences street arrangement, building design, zoning; including: Compact development Mixed land use Connective street design Complete streets Savings in fuel use and emissions greatly increased by these secondary impacts More efficient development allows shorter trips for auto and transit, more non-motorized trips

18 Research In Progress Indicates That: Transit associated land use impact increases petroleum savings in U.S.A. an additional 4.3 billion gallons beyond direct impact Transit associated land use impact increases CO 2 savings up to an additional 38 million tonnes beyond direct impact Source: APTA Estimate

19 Compact Development Dramatically Cuts Emissions Growing Cooler: The Evidence of Urban Development and Climate Change By Urban Land Institute and others Compact development helps reduce need to drive Transit an important part of compact development If 60% of new growth were in compact patterns 85 million tonnes of CO 2 would be saved annually by 2030 in U.S.A. These savings equal a 28% increase in federal vehicle efficiency standards Source: Growing Cooler: The Evidence on Urban Development and Climate Change, Urban Land Institute and other organizations, October 2007

20 Transit and Carbon Markets Transit currently viewed as a source of emissions Transit now at the table as carbon markets emerge (e.g., Chicago Climate Exchange) or are being contemplated (e.g. federal legislation) New protocols should measure net effect of transit emissions and resulting auto emissions reduction An effort to quantify the value of transit offsets is currently underway through APTA’s standards development process

21 Core Messages Transit use results in direct reductions of green house gases. we need more Recognize transit as a carbon offset Transit oriented communities bring about much additional saving Use of transit is a high return choice for individuals at the household level The transit industry seeks to be at the cutting edge of sustainable business practices

22 References Public Transportation and Petroleum Savings in the U.S.: Reducing Dependence on Oil, ICF International, January 2007 at _fuel_savings_final_ pdf _fuel_savings_final_ pdf Public Transportation’s Contribution to U.S. Greenhouse Gas Reduction, SAIC, September 2007 at Growing Cooler: The Evidence on Urban Development and Climate Change, Urban Land Institute and other organizations, October 2007 at 07small.pdf?docID= small.pdf?docID=4061

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