Move More with Less: Accommodating Transportation and Biodiversity Martin Pietrucha Science, Technology, and Society Program Pennsylvania State University

Outline Introduction Background Transportation Effects The “Real” Culprits Proposed “Solutions” What Might Really Work

Background Biodiversity is dependent on the quantity and quality of diverse ecosystems Ecosystems thrive in areas with “moderate” human influence Ecosystems are land intensive Transportation systems are land intensive Biologically diverse ecosystems and transportation systems are often “suited” to the same types of geographic morphology

An Ecosystem – Biodiverse? Zabriskie Point, Death Valley; Source USGS

Location, Location, Location Planetary Statistics  Total surface area - 510,000,000 km²  Land area - 148,800,000 km²  Productive Land -130,693,000 km²  Population - 6,000,000,000  Productive land per person hectares  Productive land per household hectares

Physical Extent of Transport Systems

Road Density (R-km/100 km 2 )

Transportation Footprint United States  Total Land Area – 9,158,960 km 2  Total Arable Land - 1,769,511 km 2  Paved Miles of Road – 3,737,567 km 20 m width ~ 4 lanes divided)  Area of Pavement – 74,752 km 2 (4.2 percent)

Transportation Effects Direct (Local)  Destruction of Habitat Indirect (Halo)  Air Pollution  Water Pollution  Soil Pollution  Noise Pollution

The “Real” Culprits Destruction of Habitat  Policies that encourage suburban/rural growth (e.g., Provision of water, sewer, fire, police, schools)  Continued suburban/rural growth Air Pollution  Vehicle power plants  Vehicle miles of travel (VMT) Water/Soil Pollution  Vehicle technologies Noise Pollution  Vehicle power plants  Pavement tire interaction

Proposed “Solutions” Destruction of Habitat  Goals  Encourage more compact development  Adopt a regional, not a local, perspective  Encourage higher density development  Strategies  Planning regulations  Zoning ordinances  Growth boundaries

Proposed “Solutions” Air Pollution  Goals  Produce vehicles that are more efficient  Reduce vehicle miles of travel  Produce vehicles that pollute less  Strategies  Encourage production of HEVs and the like  Encourage purchasing of HEVs and the like  Actively pursue transportation demand management

TDM Strategies Trip Reduction Teletravel Alternative Modes Road Pricing Parking Management and Pricing Distance-based Insurance Fees Distance-based Registration Fees Auto-Free/Vehicle Restrictions Fuel Tax Increases

Proposed “Solutions” Water/Soil Pollution  Goals  Reduce pollutants  Reduce polluted runoff  Reduce runoff  Strategies  Seek improvements in vehicle technologies  Design improved drainage systems

Proposed “Solutions” Noise Pollution  Goals  Reduce power plant noise  Reduce pavement-tire noise  Strategies  Encourage production of non-mechanical vehicle power plants  Encourage the development of improved materials for tires and pavements

What Might Really Work Laws, regulations, codes, and ordinances  Any changes in these areas will have greater chance for success if they are developed by local entities Technological advances  Success in these areas relies heavily on understanding the “Technology push – Market pull” dynamic