Integration of Climate Change Considerations in Statewide and Regional Transportation Planning Processes

This report is part on on-going work for the US Department of Transportation’s Center for Climate Change and Environmental Forecasting and the Federal Highway Administration to highlight innovative actions and initiatives undertaken by states and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to incorporate climate change considerations as part of the transportation planning process. The report provides case studies and proceedings from two panels of state and regional experts. Although the report considers both reduction of greenhouse house gas emissions and adaptation of transportation facilities to climate change, it focuses on reductions to reflect the priority of the organizations’ studied. Climate change considerations can shape the selection of investments and strategies within state and metropolitan area transportation planning processes. The case studies and panel summaries focus on how participating states and MPOs are considering climate change in the following aspects of transportation planning: vision and long range planning; forecasts, data and performance measures; public involvement; collaboration with partners; and project selection. The report provides analysis, observations, and lessons learned from the case studies and panels to assist peer states, regions and local areas interested in expanding how they incorporate climate change into transportation planning processes.