Environment and Energy
P
olicies affecting transportation’s consequences for the environment and energy are inextricably intertwined, particularly with regard to the policies and programs put in place to bring the nation into compliance with the Clean Air Act and proposals to reduce transportation’s emissions of greenhouse gases. With millions of motorized vehicle trips every day, transportation has a direct and significant impact on the environment and energy consumption. The transport sector accounts for the largest share of petroleum consumption compared with the industrial, commercial, and residential sectors and is the fastest growing; for this reason it is also the largest and fastest-growing contributor of carbon dioxide emissions, the main greenhouse gas. Steady progress is being made on emissions regulated under the Clean Air Act, but the goals prescribed in this legislation and its amendments are far from being met. After a review of major Transportation Research Board (TRB) studies dealing with environmental issues, the role of National Academies committees in addressing the potential of alternative vehicles and fuels is summarized.
Policies affecting transportation’s consequences for the environment and energy are inextricably intertwined, particularly with regard to the policies and programs put in place to bring the nation into compliance with the Clean Air Act and proposals to reduce transportation’s emissions of greenhouse gases. With millions of motorized vehicle trips every day, transportation has a direct and significant impact on the environment and energy consumption. The transport sector accounts for the largest share of petroleum consumption compared with the industrial, commercial, and residential sectors and is the fastest growing; for this reason it is also the largest and fastest-growing contributor of carbon dioxide emissions, the main greenhouse gas. Steady progress is being made on emissions regulated under the Clean Air Act, but the goals prescribed in this legislation and its amendments are far from being met. After a review of major Transportation Research Board (TRB) studies dealing with environmental issues, the role of National Academies committees in addressing the potential of alternative vehicles and fuels is summarized.