On August 5-6, 2010, AASHTO, in coordination with the Center for Environmental Excellence, FHWA, FTA, the Climate Change Technical Assistance Program, the Environmental Technical Assistance Program, and the Standing Committee on Planning, held a Climate Change Symposium in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the symposium was to provide information, both policy-oriented and technical, to support State DOTs in their efforts to address the challenges of climate change.
The symposium sessions addressed a wide range of topics including strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector, options for adaptation and preparation for the effects of climate change on transportation systems, and current federal, regional, and state policies and initiatives related to climate change. The symposium provided a broad policy perspective on transportation and climate change, with a focus on GHG mitigation and the integration of GHG reduction considerations in transportation planning, project development, and operations (Day One). It also focused on climate adaptation with a discussion of climate action plans; address the potential adaptation strategies within planning, engineering, and operations; and concluded with a discussion of critical needs for State DOTs in addressing climate change effectively (Day Two).
Day 1 Presentations
Welcome and Introduction
Overview on Climate Change
Paula Hammond, Washington DOT
Overview on Climate Change
John Horsley – AASHTO
Overview on Climate Change
Gloria Shepherd, FHWA
Session 1: The Challenge of Climate Change
The Challenges of Addressing Climate Change: Science and Risks
Steve Seidel – Pew Center
Communicating Climate Science
David Herring – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Session 2: Federal Policy Status Report
Climate Change Legislation in Congress
Alex Barron – House Energy and Commerce Committee
EPA Regulatory Developments
Sarah Dunham, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
CEQ Project-level GHG Analysis
Horst Greczmiel, Council on Environmental Quality
Session 3: Integrating GHG Reduction Strategies in Transportation Planning: State Policy Developments
New York State Energy Plan and Climate Action Plan
John Zamurs – New York DOT
Moving Washington Toward Sustainability: WSDOT Planning Actions in Response to HB 2815 and EO 09-05
Brian Smith – Washington DOT
Integrating GHG Reduction in Policy and Planning in Oregon
Margi Lifsey Bradway – Oregon DOT
Senate Bill 375 Implementation
Rob Rundle – San Diego Association of Governments
Session 4: EPA ’s MOVES Model
Using MOVES2010 for Estimating ON-Road GHG Emissions
Laura Berry – US EPA
Session 5: Transportation Strategies to Reduce GHG Emissions; A National Perspective
Role of Technologies and Alternative Fuels
David Greene, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
U.S. DOT Report to Congress on Transportation ’s Role in Reducing U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Linda Lawson, U.S. DOT
Transportation Actions Included in State Climate Action Plans
Diane Turchetta – FHWA
Session 6: Transportation Strategies to Reduce GHG Emissions: State Initiatives
Transportation and Climate Change in Maryland
Don Halligan, Maryland DOT
NYS DOT Maintenance and Operations Strategies
Gary McVoy – New York DOT
Carbon Sequestration on Interstate ROWs Pilot Program
Frank Pafko – Minnesota DOT
TxDOT ’s Sustainable Pavements: Low Carbon Materials/Alternative Pavements
Dianna Noble – Texas DOT
Session 7: Breakout Groups on GHG Mitigation Strategies
Integrating GHG Reduction in Transportation Planning
Janet D ’Ignazio and Michael Grant, ICF International
Integrating GHG Reduction in Transportation Construction, Maintenance, and Operation
Anne Choate, ICF International
Day 2 Presentations
Session 1: Setting the Stage: Adaptation’s Role in State Climate Action Plans, Federal Climate Policy, and State Climate Policies
Federal Climate Adaptation Efforts
Linda Lawson – U.S. DOT
An Update from Our Laboratories of Democracy: Transportation Adaptation in the States
Vicki Arroyo – Georgetown Climate Center
Session 2: Understanding the Effects of Climate Change on Transportation
Climate Change: An Adaptation Challenge for US Transportation
Michael Savonis – FHWA
Regional Climate Change Effects Report
Rob Kafalenos – FHWA
Session 3: National Efforts to Reduce the U.S. Transportation System ’s Vulnerability to Climate Change Effects
FHWA Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change Effects
Butch Wlashcin – FHWA
Vulnerability/Risk Assessment Conceptual Model and Pilots
Michael Culp – FHWA
NCHRP 20-83(05) Climate Change and the Highway System: Impacts and Adaptation Approaches
Michael D. Meyer, Georgia Transportation Institute
Session 4: State-Level Adaptation Initiatives
State Level Adaptation Initiatives: California ’s Experience
Garth Hopkins – California DOT
Arctic Civil Infrastructure and Adaptation to Climate Change
Michael J. Coffey – Alaska DOT
Washington State ’s Integrated Climate Change Response Strategy
Nancy Boyd – Washington DOT
Pennsylvania ’s Climate Change Activities
Danielle Spila – Pennsylvania DOT
Session 5: Charge for Breakout Discussions
Session 6: Breakout Groups on Adaptation
Session 7: Report-Outs
Session 8: Where Do We Go from Here?
TRB Special Report 299: A Transportation Research Program for Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change and Conserving Energy
Emil Frankel – Bipartisan Policy Center Director
Results from TRB Research Workshops
Shari Schaftlein – FHWA
Facilitated Discussion of Research Needs
Anne Choate – ICF International