Lec 6' Ch'3P2 TP system impacts

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Lec 6. Ch.3P2 TP system impacts
Ch. 3 Part 2 (3.2) Topics

• Transportation consumes a lot of energy
• Transportation system impacts of concern to
  transportation planners
• Be familiar with all the types of impacts you
  read in the book but in lecture we focus on
  energy consumption, air pollution, noise
  pollution, and social cultural impacts (land
  use and mobility-limited population)

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Transportation system impacts of concern to
transportation planners
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Characteristics of impacts

• Impacts due to construction and use

• Direct and indirect impacts

• Cumulative impacts (additive effects)

• Significance of likely impacts Context and
  intensity

• Class IDevelop an environmental impact
  statement (EIS)
• Class II Seek a categorical exclusion
• Class III Conduct an environmental assessment

• Scope of the proposed action influencing the
  types of impacts

vs.
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Energy consumption
Examine Tab 3.13

• These facts are alarming (p.123)

• US share of world oil consumption 25.6 share
  of world oil produced 9.7 (1996) ? We are so
  dependent on foreign oil. US had to protect the
  oil in the Middle East during the Gulf War.
• Transportation share of total energy consumption
  27.7 (1998)
• Transportation energy use by mode (1997) Auto
  light-duty trucks 63, heavy trucks and buses
  18, transit 1, others (air, rail, pipeline)
  18)
• Fuel efficiency has leveled off recently at
  average 28 29 mpg (1999)
• Emergence of less-fuel-efficient cars (SUV,
  considered as pickups and lower emission
  standards.)

• Nothing is wrong with owing cars, but reducing
  their use, thus reducing oil dependency, is an
  important agenda for US.

(Examine Table 3.13 to see energy consumption by
TP modes)
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Air pollution

• Three major pollutants often cited are Carbon
  monoxide (CO), Oxides of nitrogen (Nox), and
  Particulates (PM10)

• Highway vehicle emissions as a of total
  emission

• Emission of CO, NOx, and PM10 can be reduced by
  having shorter trip lengths, reduction of
  stop-and-go. HC is difficult to reduce as long
  as vehicles are started HC is emitted hence at
  trip ends it will be emitted.

• Non-attainment areas Areas who do not meet the
  EPA emission standards. Once designated
  non-attainment areas, it is difficult to get
  projects using federal funds approved, e.g.
  Upgrading US 6 in Spanish Fork Canyon

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Noise pollution

• Noise sources of automobiles

• Wind shear

• Engine and mechanical parts

• Tire/pavement friction

• Noise abatement methods

Source
Path
Receiver
Reflected
Diffracted
Direct
Transmitted
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Land use and urban form
The pattern of land use is influenced by the
level of accessibility provided by the
transportation system, e.g. Rapid development
along Center St., 800 N. and 1600 N. in Orem
(direct connection to I-15)
Whats responsible for urban sprawl?
The trip-making characteristics of a region
spatial travel patterns and modal choices are
largely a function of how land is organized and
used, e.g. Urban sprawl forces residents to
drive. Public transit has difficult to
effectively serve such land use patters. But
park-and-ride facilities for LRT, commuter rails
etc help gather trips to stations.
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Land use and urban form (2)
Analyze this table carefully. What can you tell?

• Of greatest interest to transportation planners
  over the next several decades will be the
  question of whether a proactive land-use policy
  (I.e., where government takes a lead role in
  influencing land-use decision) can be combined
  with transportation investment decisions to
  provide a more desirable urban form. See
  arguments in page 131.

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Mobility-limited population/equity
Transportation systems provide tremendous
benefits to those who can afford to use the
system. Assessment of the equitable distribution
of benefits and costs is an important part of
transportation planning.
Community impact analysis has become an important
component of transportation planning. Community
impacts of transportation tend to affect elderly,
low-income, and disabled groups to a greater
extent than most other groups in urban areas.