The Transportation 101 guides provide easy summaries of policy solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. They highlight how each policy solution works, benefits and challenges to consider, best practices, and the role they play in improving people’s quality of life, healthy economies, and reducing climate change emissions.
The Transportation 101 Booklet
Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., and second-highest household expense for most families. In this guide, we outline policy solutions to cut pollution and costs while improving transportation access in every community. The policy approaches in this guidebook provide a blueprint for lawmakers, advocates, and communities to create clean, reliable, and affordable transportation systems that strengthen local economies and cut pollution.
Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles (EVs) are widely promoted tools to reduce transportation pollution. EVs eliminate direct tailpipe emissions from cars, significantly reduce transportation pollution overall, and are less expensive for owners to operate. EVs are an essential component of the clean energy transition, and supporting aggressive EV deployment policy is rightly a high-priority tactic for climate champions. Learn more about why EVs are a critical part of the green transportation system and policy that supports their adoption.
Vehicle Miles Traveled Pricing
Funding transportation departments is important. At the same time, we know that transportation is overly dependent on polluting sources, making our communities sick and reducing our quality of life. Widely adopting electric vehicles is essential to reducing people’s personal transportation costs and to decarbonizing the transportation system. However, this transition will inevitably reduce motor fuel tax revenue as people buy less gas. Vehicle Miles Traveled pricing – which charges a user fee based on miles driven – is among the most viable alternatives to gas tax revenues. Early tests show that it can be securely implemented and produce stable revenue fairly.
Congestion Pricing
Traffic congestion is a major challenge in U.S. cities. It inhibits a safe and well-functioning transportation system for all roadway users whether or not they’re in a car. Traffic slows down the movement of people and goods, and it wastes billions of dollars annually in lost time and fuel. Congestion pricing is one of several policy tools that policymakers can adopt to help vehicles access busy areas and reduce time people spend stuck in traffic while cutting dangerous air pollution.
Rural and Small Town Transit
Transit is essential in rural communities and small towns. Just like in urban centers, rural transit services connect people to jobs, essential services and amenities, and social events. Rural transit also reduces car crash rates and pollution. Rural systems have specialized funding, operating and planning needs compared to urban transit. Fully funding and investing in rural transit can bolster small town economies, connect urban and rural residents, and improve road safety and reduce transportation pollution in small towns.
Active Transportation
Active transportation modes—such as walking and biking—are fundamental, zero-emission ways for people to get around that support healthier lives, stronger communities, and a more sustainable economy. Safe, connected networks of sidewalks, bike lanes, and trails make these options accessible to everyone, reducing transportation costs and carbon pollution while improving public health and local economies. Investing in active transportation is one of the most effective strategies for building equitable, climate-resilient communities.
The ADA and Transportation
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is both a civil rights law and a powerful climate action tool. By ensuring infrastructure like sidewalks and public transit is inclusive, the ADA improves mobility for all while reducing pollution and enhancing community resilience. Integrating disability perspectives into climate planning and infrastructure ensures more equitable, sustainable, and prepared communities for everyone.
Transit Supportive Land Use
Transit Oriented Development (TOD) refers to land use strategies that promote compact, walkable neighborhoods near transit, boosting ridership and reducing household transportation costs while lowering climate pollution. By aligning zoning, housing density, and pedestrian-friendly design within a half-mile of transit, TOD creates more livable, connected, and economically vibrant communities. TOD policies also enhance public health and safety, and are adaptable to both urban and smaller-town contexts to strengthen transit systems and support sustainable growth.