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How can TSMO support carbon reduction?

• Jul 9, 2024

Research Description

Description

This research would help organizations identify which TSMO strategies can help reduce carbon emissions. It would also examine the amount of carbon reduction expected from sample implementation of TSMO strategies individually, or in combination with other strategies. What aspects of TSMO strategies make them most effective at reducing carbon (or least effective) and how can agencies tailor their implementation of TSMO to maximize carbon reduction. The research could also help agencies answer the “What would it take?” question from a ten-year planning for operations perspective. What combination of management strategies with existing lanes, transit and non-vehicle options would be needed? This could include use of models developed specifically for a future of connected and automated vehicles such as POLARIS, the model developed at Argonne National Lab. Research on carbon reduction can also include adopted policy for the wholistic perspective of TSMO across regional modal priority, demand management, reduced delay and fleet modifications/changes.

Relationship to Existing Research

In general, research exists at a generalized, high-level view that includes TSMO in a collection of carbon reduction strategies; or, as an emissions estimate specific to reduced vehicle delay. Other research includes TSMO in adapting to climate change, improving resilience but not directly addressing carbon reduction. This study will fill in the middle of this research to show carbon reduction potential of TSMO that is useful to region and state-wide planning. Examples of existing research are below.

NCHRP 25-74 Advancing Methods to Evaluate Greenhouse Gas Emissions During Transportation Decision Making and Performance Management https://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5710

Climate Resilience Risk Assessment Tool and Guide, led by David Johnson, FHWA Operations, estimated completion was Spring 2024

The Road Weather Management Program is researching climate resilience and risk. The objective is to create a Climate Resilience Risk Assessment Tool and User Guide with an emphasis on the impacts that climate may have on our current infrastructure. This will first be accomplished by conducting a literature review of existing risk assessment tools, a technology scan of potential technologies used in climate risk assessment, interviews with users of the tools and technologies and identifying any potential gaps in current practice. The project will culminate in the development of the risk assessment tool and user guide for maintenance and operations decision-makers.

Accessing Information about Transportation Systems Management and Operations Performance Measurement, Sept. 2016, Example included from FDOT’s active arterial management (AAM) program (Melissa Ackert). “Reduction in emissions is calculated by multiplying delay savings (in veh-hrs) with emission (tons/hour) and dollar value. Agencies should make an effort to collect information that will allow for evaluation of the effectiveness of a strategy in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.” This is similar to CATT Lab and INRIX approaches to focusing on quantifying carbon based on delayed vehicles or reduced delay of vehicles.

Energy Savings Impact of Eco-Driving Control Based on Powertrain Characteristics in Connected and Automated Vehicles: On-Track Demonstrations, April 2024, Argonne National Laboratory and Michigan Technological University

Finding on Eco-Driving: “Energy savings of up to 6% without connectivity and up to 22% with V2I connectivity are achieved in the ICE vehicle as well.” https://anl.app.box.com/s/cshs9q2hzlo56i6c0g81gohf6mkk7qm8

NOCoE Case studies where carbon reduction is mentioned as one of many benefits: • Intelligent Mobility Platform – Public Private Mobility Data Sharing • NDOT TSMO Investment Prioritization Tool (IPT) • Traffic Incident Communication Platform

Induced Demand This article will describe how Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) strategies and the supporting Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technologies have been deployed to improve the efficiency and reliability of the nation’s surface transportation system for decades. The paper shows how these same technologies and strategies have more recently been promoted as part of the solution to promote environmental sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, such as carbon dioxide [CO(2)], which is a major contributor to global warming. Strategies such as ramp metering, incident management, variable speed limits, automated enforcement and traffic signal coordination can potentially (and individually) lower CO(2) emissions by 5-15 percent, with the synergistic effect of the strategies combined adding up to 20 percent or greater. Journal: World Highways/Routes du Monde, pp 29-31; Author: Neudorff, Louis G; Publication Date: 2010-12

Incorporation Resilience Considerations in Transportation Planning, TSMO and Asset Management This project integrates risk-based asset management procedures from the FHWA, AASHTO and the TRB with decision making under deep uncertainty (DMDU) concepts to develop climate vulnerability assessment, and planning and project evaluation capabilities for resilience building in transportation. The research framework includes: (1) understanding the climate hazards and threats to which an entity is exposed; (2) understanding their impacts; (3) determining vulnerability and risk and prioritizing needs for investment; and, (4) identifying, prioritizing and implementing actions to build resilience over time. The study develops multiple analytical, planning and prioritization tools and guidance to facilitate resilience building in transportation. It also provides resources for the continuing development of a range of resilience capabilities in the face of changing threats, and identifies performance measures to monitor and enhance infrastructure and organizational resilience, cost-effectively, in the short-term and long-term. Author(s): Adjo Amekudzi-Kennedy, Ph.D., Baabak, Ashuri, PhD., Russell Clark, Ph.D., Brian Woodall, Ph.D., Prerna Singh Ph.D., Kait Morano, Manual Cuadra, Adair Garrett, Mandani Tennakoon, Zhongyu Yang https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/73032 Publication date: August 2023, Georgia Institute of Technology

Additional Supporting Information

This idea submitted by the TRB Regional Transportation Systems Management and Operations Committee (Regional TSMO) subcommittee on Planning and Organizing for Operations.

Submitted by: Thomas H. Jacobs, co-Chair, Regional TSMO Research Subcommittee

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Submitted By

Thomas Jacobs

Center for Advanced Transportation Technology

301-405-7328

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