Oregon Sustainable Transportation Initiative (OSTI) Greenhouse Gas Reduction Toolkit Database. Users Guide. January 2012

Transcription

1 Oregon Sustainable Transportation Initiative (OSTI) Greenhouse Gas Reduction Toolkit Database Users Guide January 2012 OREGON DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION and DEPARTMENT OF LAND CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT

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3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Database User Instructions... 1 General Application... 1 Description and Purpose... 1 Database Layout... 2 Getting Started... 3 Query Capabilities... 4 Find Action by Category... 5 Find Action by Keyword... 6 Categories and Actions List Reference List Other Toolkit Related Materials Sources Modeling and Analysis Tools Reports Implementation Case Studies Climate Change Communication Best Practices Sample Search Procedures Search Sample Search Sample Search Sample Cambridge Systematic i

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5 DATABASE USER INSTRUCTIONS General Application The greenhouse gas (GHG) Reduction Toolkit Database (database) is intended to provide information in a user-friendly format to help Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and local government staff access information about GHG-reducing actions and programs. It can be used as a stand alone tool for research, discussion and exploration, or in conjunction with Scenario Planning for GHG reduction and associated modeling with GreenSTEP. The database provides a resource for agencies to consult the effectiveness and applicability of various actions and programs, and make a preliminary assessment of which actions and programs they would like to explore further. This is intended to be an initial phase of the process of exploring ways to reduce GHG emissions. The Toolkit is a living, evolving project; new ideas and research will continue to emerge, and the database will continue to be updated with this new information. Updated versions of the database will be posted on the project website. It is recommended to subscribe to updates to receive notifications about database updates, project status, etc. Description and Purpose The database was created through an iterative process with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), an Ad Hoc Committee, and the consultant team of Cambridge Systematics. The Ad Hoc Advisory Committee for this project consisted of members of the Technical and Policy Advisory Committees associated with other Oregon Sustainable Transportation Initiative (OSTI) efforts, and was generally open to anyone interested. This first version of the database only contains Actions and Programs with verified GHG reduction potential. The database is a living document, and will be added to as new information becomes available. There are many other strategies that could be undertaken that have inferred GHG reduction. This database is not an exhaustive list of possible strategies. As a user, you are invited to contribute to the update of this database. As you try different strategies and share your results, this database will become increasingly useful. Visit the project website for a link to send us your comments and suggestions about the database and how it can evolve to best serve you. Cambridge Systematic 1

6 Database Layout The database was created using Microsoft Access It is also available as a table in PDF format for those who do not have Access The database contains cells with the following information bulleted below. Each report generated from the database will include a report with the relevant information for the selected action/program. A list of actions and programs; A brief description of each action/program; The GHG emission mitigation potential, expressed as a percentage, based on existing research; An estimate of the cost effectiveness of the action/program, based on existing research; An estimate of the time required for implementation of the action/program; An estimate of the start-up time required to implement the action/program to its total potential; Who, as in what level of government of other entity, would be most likely to implement; Considerations about when an action/program would be applicable (circumstances); Possible co-benefits that could achieved through implementation; A notation if (and where) the action/program has been implemented in Oregon; A list of synergistic actions/programs that provide a compounding effect when implemented together; and Additional resources and footnotes, if applicable. Companion materials include the Reference and Source lists, as well implementation case studies, the Modeling and Analysis Tools report, and a Climate Change Communications Guide. The following sections illustrate the database applications and provide information regarding sources used to support the development of the Toolkit Database. 2 Cambridge Systematics

7 Getting Started To get started, click on the link on the project website to download the Microsoft Access 2007 database. When prompted, save the database Access file to a location on your computer. Double click the Access database file to start using the Toolkit. Review the information on the splash screen (shown in Figure 1), and then click the OK button. This will lead to the centralized switchboard (shown in Figure 2). NOTE: In some offices, Information Services (IS) protocol may not allow macros to operate in Access applications. The search functionality in the toolkit uses macros. In order for the toolkit to open and operate properly, macros must be enabled in advance of running this application. If the Toolkit does not open and operate as described in this user guide, contact your IS staff to ensure that the correct version of Access is installed on your machine and that the security settings are properly set to allow the database to operate as designed. Figure 1 Oregon GHG Toolkit Database Splash Screen Cambridge Systematic 3

8 Query Capabilities From the main switchboard (Figure 2), two options can be used to query an action and access the associated information: Find Action 1 by Category or Find Action by Keyword. From the main switchboard you can also access a simple list of broad Categories, and the list of actions which fall under each of them. The final item takes you to the Reference 2 list. Figure 2 Oregon GHG Toolkit Database Switchboard 1 Note: In this document the word action is a broad term used to refer to any GHG-reducing action, program or strategy. 2 The Reference list is numbered and tied to the database by the numbers in parenthesis and refers to the origin of the GHG emission mitigation potential and cost estimate numbers. The Source list is a bibliography and must be accessed from the website due to its size. 4 Cambridge Systematics

9 Find Action by Category The Find Action by Category option allows users to query an action/program by selecting from the following list of categories: Bicycle and Pedestrian; Capacity Expansion/Bottleneck Relief; Fleet; Land Use and Built Environment; Multimodal Freight; Operations/ITS; Pricing; Public Transportation; and Transportation Demand Management. Each category provides a listing of individual actions/programs organized under one of the above listed categories. Figure 3 shows the form that will appear when Find Action by Category is selected from the main switchboard. Figure 3 Select by Category As shown in Figure 4, as a user selects a category, the application filters and makes available the actions and programs classified under that category. This process is designed to reduce the scope of search for a given action or program. After selecting the category and action/program from the two combo-boxes, the user can click on the Get Details button to retrieve information about the selected action/program. Given the multitude of actions and programs provided in the database, this option provides the user with better querying capabilities for selection of the required action/program. Cambridge Systematic 5

10 Figure 4 Select by Category When a user clicks the Get Details button, a report on the selected action/program opens, as shown below in Figures 7 and 8. This is organized to provide information about program implementation, GHG reduction benefits, and other related characteristics of each given action/program in a user-friendly format that is easy to print and . Find Action by Keyword The Find Action by Keyword query method helps the user to find and query the GHG emission reduction program/action by using a keyword or search phrase. This query circumvents the need to look-up each program or action by the exact name as stored in the database, and provides flexibility for users to query and select the action. Selecting Find Action by Keyword from the main switchboard opens a query selection form (shown in Figure 5). The user can enter a search phrase or keyword in the Enter Keyword to Find Action text box and then click on the Search button. Figure 5 Select Action by Keyword Dialog Box 6 Cambridge Systematics

11 The filtered list appears in the bottom of the form in a list box (shown in Figure 6), and the user can choose the intended action from the filtered list. After selecting from the list, the user can click on the Get Details to open the strategy information report. Figure 6 Get Details of Select Action using Key Word Search Cambridge Systematic 7

12 Figure 7 Action/Program Information Report (Page 1) 8 Cambridge Systematics

13 Figure 8 Action/Program Information Report (Page 2) Note: The websites listed under Additional Resources and Oregon Examples are not hyperlinks due to limitations of the database. In order to access them the user will need to export the report to a different file format, such as MS Word, text file, PDF, or html, then copy and paste the web address into a browser. Cambridge Systematic 9

14 Categories and Actions List This option, designed to access a centralized list of programs and actions by category, provides users with a quick reference to the Toolkit. Clicking on this option opens a report with tabbed windows; wherein, each tab has a list of actions and programs by category (as shown in Figure 9). Figure 9 Categories and Actions List Reference List Elements in reports generated from query and selection tools refer to a reference list, which has been compiled and made available within the Toolkit as a quick reference document. For example, in the report for Combined land use and transportation strategies under the category Land Use and the Built Environment, the field GHG Reduction Effectiveness includes the number two (2) in parentheses after the effectiveness data. This reference means that these data came from Source #2 on the Reference List, which is the Moving Cooler report. The user can open this list by clicking on the switchboard module Reference List, which opens a one-page report (as shown in Figure 10). 10 Cambridge Systematics

15 Figure 10 Reference List Cambridge Systematic 11

16 Other Toolkit Related Materials Each of the following items is another component of the Toolkit and is available for review through the website. Sources A list of the sources used to create the Toolkit Database is available to the user as a standalone Word document (separate from the database). Sources are organized by categories. In an effort to tailor the list for ease of use with the database, sources are listed under all applicable categories (to the best of our ability). For example, if Source A addresses pricing strategies and public transportation strategies, it would be listed under both the Pricing and Public Transportation headings within the Word document. Modeling and Analysis Tools Reports The Modeling and Analysis Tools Report discusses tools currently available or anticipated in the near future which can be used to assist government agencies and others in researching and evaluating methods of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. GHG modeling and analysis is a new and rapidly developing field and this will be updated as new information becomes available. Implementation Case Studies The case studies are designed to illustrate examples of implementation of actions and programs from the database which can be undertaken to reduce GHG emissions. If you have already implemented actions or programs listed in the database, and have some lessons to share, please let ODOT know. The case studies, like the other components of the toolkit, will grow and evolve over time to meet the needs of the user. Climate Change Communication Best Practices More than Climate Change provides tested advice on the best way to communicate about climate change issues. 12 Cambridge Systematics

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18 SAMPLE SEARCH PROCEDURES This section outlines how a user or staff member from a local jurisdiction would use the Toolkit Database to collect information about GHG-reducing actions and programs, determine which actions and programs would be appropriate to pursue for their region, and start the process of implementing these actions and programs. The following three sample searches will help familiarize you with ways to use the Toolkit Database. Sample 1 - Transit service improvements; Sample 2 - Transit service improvements coupled with complimentary land use changes; and Sample 3 - Larger-scale package of actions and programs. Each Sample presented below provides the user with specific Toolkit Database application steps. These procedures provide users with the methods to use the Toolkit Database to identify and test the impact of one or multiple actions and programs. Search Sample 1 Purpose: Research transit service improvements and determine the applicability of implementing this approach for reducing GHG emissions from light duty vehicles. 1) After opening the Access database and enabling macros, users will see the Switchboard (screen shot below). Open the Find Action by Category module of the Toolkit by clicking on the gray box to the left. 2) The Select by Category window will open (screenshot below). 14 Cambridge Systematics

19 a) From the Select the GHG Mitigation Category drop-down list, select the Public Transportation category from the action list to view relevant strategies. 3) The toolkit offers a number of specific actions and programs related to transit service improvements, including: a) Expand public transportation options (LRT/BRT/Circulator Buses); b) Increase frequency of transit service; c) Intercity bus service expansions; and d) Transit priority treatments 4) If, for example, users would like to find out more about increase in transit service frequency, select Increase frequency of transit service from the Select the GHG Mitigation Strategy drop-down list (screenshot below). a) Click the Get Details button to open the report. Users would select each action or program they feel will be applicable to their region and that could be built into their regional strategy. Cambridge Systematics 15

20 Click Get Details to open the report. Please note that users may increase the size of the report by clicking the box circled in red in the top right corner of the report in the first screen shot. The second screen shot shows the enlarged report. Maximize the window by clicking the box (middle button) in the upper right corner just as you would with a Word document. 16 Cambridge Systematics

21 There are two ways to clo 1) Right click on the scree Close at the bottom of t appears, or, 2) click the Print Preview displayed in the upper left in red). Then select Clos as illustrated in the screen Toolkit Users Guide Note: Users may increase the size of the report by clicking the box circled in red in the top right corner of the report in the first screen shot. The screen shot below shows the enlarged report. This is a view of the full-s page viewer feature in the corner (circled in red)allo through each page of the the arrows. All reports ar Cambridge Systematics 17

22 The Close Print Preview button is located in the upper right corner of the menu. Once you click that, you will see any other windows that were open. Close those windows by clicking the lower of the two x icons in the upper right corner of the screen (circled in red below). CAUTION: The upper-most x will close the entire database. Click the lower of the two x icons to close this particular window. The upper-most x will close the entire database. 5) At the top of the report, users will see the category, specific action/program that the report describes, as well as a description. In this case (screenshot below), the description assumes a range of increased service: at a minimum, add 40% to off-peak service and at a maximum, increase peak service by 10% as well. The numbers laid out in the report (such as the GHG reduction effectiveness information) correspond to this specific frequency change sample, so given these changes, one could expect between 0.2% and 0.6% reduction in GHG emissions (as compared to the specific baseline numbers the user assumes). 18 Cambridge Systematics

23 6) As shown in the screenshot below, the timeframe for implementation is in the near term. Co-benefits that result from increases in transit service frequency include reduced congestion, travel time savings, and increased access to destinations. Cambridge Systematics 19

24 7) If users would like more information, they may consult the Sources by Category list. Because of the size of this list and the fact that it is a living, evolving document, it is not included in the database itself. The list is a Word document that organizes sources by categories (using the categories in the Toolkit). In this case, the Public Transportation section of the list offers a number of suggestions. Users could review the 2010 Transportation Research Board publication entitled Current Practices in Greenhouse Gas Emissions Savings from Transit. Synthesis 84 or contact the Oregon Public Health Initiative about the Health Impact Assessment completed about the Lake Oswego to Portland transit project for further information on implementation. Search Sample 2 Purpose: Research transit service improvements and land use changes to determine the applicability of implementing this two-pronged approach for reducing GHG emissions from light duty vehicles. 1. A users experience with Sample 1 would likely reveal that land use changes are synergistic with transit service improvements, so it would be helpful to look at strategies under both categories. Follow instructions from Sample 1 to find and open reports on transit service improvements as well as land use-related actions and programs. 2. Select the specific actions/program of your choice. For example, select all four types of transit service improvements: a) Expand public transportation options (LRT/BRT/Circulator Buses); b) Increase frequency of transit service; c) Intercity bus service expansions; and d) Transit priority treatments.) Then select the land use actions/programs of your choosing, such as: e) Improved access management to transportation services; f) Transit-oriented development; and g) Change in the location of certain land use types and densities. 3. While users are reviewing the reports for each, please note that although the range of GHG reduction effectiveness is provided for each individual strategy being 20 Cambridge Systematics

25 applied in the sample, the combined effectiveness could be more than the simple sum of individual strategy effectiveness given the synergistic effects. Case studies that deal with employing multiple strategies at once as well as analytical tools that are equipped to better quantify GHG reduction effectiveness address this issue. This preliminary research step will be helpful, however, in determining which strategies will work well in a user s specific local or regional context. 4. Review the reports for the selected strategies. Assess the effectiveness estimates as well as other considerations. Some questions users may ask when reviewing these reports are as follows: a) How effective has this been in terms of GHG reduction and in what context was it effective? Users could consult the Reference List to go back to the source document from which the data came. b) Is this a cost-effective solution for my jurisdiction? If there are no data for certain fields on the report, turn to the Sources by Category list to find out if there is a jurisdiction that has had experience with this strategy. c) Would this be a long-term or short-term solution and does that match our needs? d) Are there other agencies with which we would need to coordinate to implement this strategy? e) What are the co-benefits of this strategy? Which co-benefits are most important to us and which other strategies offer these co-benefits? f) Has this been implemented in Oregon? The Sources by Category list will help answer this question. g) Have I looked at specific strategies in the categories listed as Synergistic? Are any of those solutions viable? 5. A review of these reports shows that generally, public transportation strategies complement land use strategies. Transportation Demand Management strategies are also listed as Synergistic with land use and public transportation strategies. Additional benefits of implementing these strategies include cost and travel savings, increased access, and reliance on alternative modes. For example, the first screen shot below shows the 2 nd page of the report for transit priority treatments. Land use strategies are listed under the Synergistic Strategies field. 6. The second screen shot shows the synergistic strategies for the Transit-oriented development (TOD). These include public transportation and TDM strategies. Cambridge Systematics 21

26 Page 2 of the Transit Priority Treatment report. 7. Given the scope of this sample, transit agencies, MPOs and local agencies need to work together to implement this package of strategies. State involvement might be necessary for some access provision projects where the facilities are under the state jurisdiction or if the projects are suited for state funding. Page 2 of the Transit-oriented development (TOD) report. 22 Cambridge Systematics

27 Search Sample 3 Purpose: Research a larger-scale package such as the one implemented by SLOCOG, which includes the following strategies: Focus new growth in already urbanized areas; Expand funding for transit service; Improve pedestrian connections in existing communities; Expand transportation demand management strategies; and Acknowledge that pricing can have a strong influence on vehicle travel and greenhouse gas emissions, but recognize an MPO s limited ability to implement. The Toolkit Database steps for users are presented below. 1. Sample 3 is more complicated than the first two samples, but the general process for finding the necessary information in the Toolkit Database is the same. Follow instructions from Sample 1 to find and open reports about the desired actions and programs, as follows (the category is listed first, followed by the specific action/program): a) Land Use Compact, mixed-use development b) Land Use Infill development funding and incentives c) Public Transportation Expand public transportation options d) Bicycle and Pedestrian - Pedestrian improvements e) Bicycle and Pedestrian - Increase pedestrian and bicycle safety f) Bicycle and Pedestrian - Improve/increase # of curb cuts g) Bicycle and Pedestrian Construct new or connect existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities h) Bicycle and Pedestrian Complete Streets Policy (Oregon) i) Bicycle and Pedestrian Complete Streets Policy (General) Cambridge Systematics 23

28 j) Transportation Demand Management - Employer-based programs General 3 k) Pricing Parking Pricing 4 2. Review the reports for each strategy and consider again that the combined effectiveness could be more than the sum of the data for individual strategies. Additionally, it would be useful to consult the Source by Category list. 3. Consider the questions mentioned in Sample 2, also included below: a) How effective has this been in terms of GHG reduction and in what context was it effective? Users could consult the Reference List to go back to the source document from which the data came. b) Is this a cost-effective solution for my jurisdiction? If there are no data for certain fields on the report, turn to the Sources by Category list to find out if there is a jurisdiction that has had experience with this strategy. c) Would this be a long-term or short-term solution and does that match our needs? d) Are there other agencies with which we would need to coordinate to implement this strategy? e) What are the co-benefits of this strategy? Which co-benefits are most important to us and which other strategies offer these co-benefits? f) Has this been implemented in Oregon? The Sources by Category list will help answer this question. g) Have I looked at specific strategies in the categories listed as Synergistic? Are any of those solutions viable? 4. Sample 3 combines a range of strategies across five categories: Land Use, Public Transportation, Bicycle and Pedestrian, TDM, and Pricing. Given that there are so many actions and programs being considered, there is some overlap. For example, while the infill development and funding incentives program can be adopted for focusing growth in existing urban areas, many elements of this program include other strategies within land use such as access management. 3 This is one example of a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program that could be researched. It is recommended to become familiar with the full range of options in this category. 4 As noted in the description of Sample 3, some pricing programs need authority at a higher level of government. Some however, such as parking pricing are able to be implemented at the local level. Regardless, it would still be beneficial to learn about the various types of pricing programs (managed lanes, carbon pricing, etc.). 24 Cambridge Systematics

29 5. With regard to implementation, some actions can be implemented at the local level, while others are dealt with at other levels of government. Many pedestrian improvements, for example, can be implemented at the local level and funded with local or regional money. This information is valuable when considering which agencies will be involved in the process of implementing these actions and which participating agencies and how to pool resources in order to implement a particular action or group of actions. 6. Implementation timeframe is another important consideration. Given that TDM strategies and certain transit improvements can be implemented in the near term, bundling them with land-use strategies will require timing them for optimal utilization. The Toolkit Database provides information about time needed for each strategy of the sample to become effective, as well as time required for implementation, which should be considered in planning for implementation of the sample as well. 7. While more questions and considerations will emerge once users embark on this process, it is our goal for these examples to help users begin to create a sample of actions and programs that will best help regions reduce GHG emissions from transportation. Cambridge Systematics 25