Transportation

As North Texas is projected to grow to an estimated 10.7 million people by 2040, transportation is at the forefront to keep up with a rapidly growing region. In 2012, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated ten counties (Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant and Wise Counties) in North Central Texas as nonattainment for the pollutant ozone in accordance with the 2008 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). As various transportation sectors remain a significant contributor to ozone emissions, transportation related projects are critical to ensure healthy air quality across the region. Below are tools, resources, and case studies to support local governments, educational institutions, and public and private entities’ efforts to implement programs to reduce harmful transportation related emissions in the public and private sector.


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2030 Districts designates urban areas across the country that are seeking to foster sustainability through the built environment.
Advanced
The AgSTAR Project Development Handbook is intended for agriculture and livestock producers, farm owners, developers, investors, policymakers, implementers, and anyone working in agriculture or renewable energy that is interested in anaerobic digestion/biogas systems as a farm manure management option.
A regional public awareness campaign and partnership that seeks to improve air quality in North Texas.
The Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) provides information, data, and tools to help fleets and consumers find ways to reach their energy and economic goals through the use of alternative and renewable fuels, advanced vehicles, and other fuel-saving measures.
Intermediate
The Alternative Fueling Station Locator, from the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center, is a tool to locate alternative fueling stations throughout the country.
The American Planning Association has produced a Climate Change Policy Guide publication through the efforts of APA's Sustainable Communities Division (SCD). Embodied within the guide are over 50 policies and hundreds of supporting strategies to help planners proactively and effectively respond to a changing climate.
Intermediate

The Green Tracks pilot project was commissioned by the Maryland transit authority and developed by a multi-disciplinary project team. The purpose was to determine the feasibility of installing and maintaining a vegetated track system on a commuter light rail in Maryland. 

The Carbon Footprint Calculator estimates an individual's carbon emissions based on provided energy, transportation, and waste information.
The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization that works to improve urban economies and ecosystems across the U.S. through initiatives in transportation, water, climate, and public policy.
Advanced
To help create a sustainable North Texas that is recognized nationwide as a center of development excellence.

Charles City and the Conservation Design Forum (CDF) developed a comprehensive plan to address street and stormwater challenges prevalent in the community.  The Conservation Design Forum worked with the City to develop a permeable streets plan for a 17 block area.  Plan alternatives included permeable paving, parkway bioretention, bioretention intersection narrowings, and infiltration beds.

The Simply Sustainable Denton website is a hub for the city’s Simply Sustainable: A Framework for Denton’s Future plan. The plan was updated in 2020 and outlines eight different focus areas along with comprehensive goals and strategies that aim for a more sustainable community. The update to Simply Sustainable includes new strategies based on best practices, STAR Communities/ LEED for Cities goals and community feedback. The Vision and Guiding Principles remained the same moving forward, while the focus areas and goals expanded to include additional strategies to further the city's sustainability as a community.
Intermediate
The purpose of the Clean Fleet Policy, an initiative of the DFW Clean Cities Coalition, is to outline relevant goals and provide workable, cost-effective solutions to reduce emissions from local fleets as well as support regional efforts to attain federal air quality standards in the North Central Texas Region.
The Climate Showcase Communities program showcases communities that are undertaking pilot projects to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas pollution while saving money.
Develop and implement a Comprehensive Environmental and Climate Action Plan for the City of Dallas, tackling climate change, waste and recycling, water conservation, air and storm water enforcement through community engagement.
The Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities (DFWCC) Coalition is part of a national network of coalitions created by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and seeks to lead the region in petroleum and emissions reduction to improve air quality and increase energy security in the transportation sector.

The Riverfront Park Project, a City of Denver initiative located on former railroad land, is an urban infill planned comunity that includes housing, retail, and restaurant spaces.  The Project is linearly organized between railroad tracks and a 19-acre, city-developed park; it is connected to downtown by an iconic pedestrian bridge spanning the historic railroad tracks.

Electric Vehicles North Texas (EVNT) is the electric vehicles (EV) subcommittee of the Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities (DFWCC) Coalition.
Engine Off North Texas is a regional initiative dedicated to reducing the impacts associated with idling vehicles.

The City of Eluess installed electrification poles to provide wayside power for both ambulances and firetrucks when parked at the Fire Department's remote training faclity.

EV Everywhere facilitates knowledge about electric vehicle (EV) workplace charging so that employers and employees can determine if it is right for their organization and locate pertinent resources to help install and manage workplace charging.
The Federal Green Challenge (FGC) is a national effort under the EPA’s Sustainable Materials Management Program which challenges the EPA and other federal agencies throughout the country to lead by example in reducing the federal government's environmental impact. It furthers the goals of the President’s Executive Order Regarding Efficient Federal Operations.
Intermediate
Fleets for the Future (F4F) coordinates regional and national scale procurement initiatives designed to consolidate bulk orders of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs).
Advanced
FuelEconomy.gov is the official U.S. government source for fuel economy information.
Basic