Under Senate Bill 375, California counties and cities must develop greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets and specific actions to achieve them. Many of these Climate Action Plans (CAPs) are being updated now, and some existing CAPs reflect a lack of consistent methodology, relevant information, and data to support robust GHG reduction targets, and lack clarity on the likelihood of success or economic costs of mitigation. Local jurisdictions and agencies responsible for managing roadways and associated right of ways, parking, complete streets, and other transportation infrastructure assets and related operation and maintenance may play a crucial role in GHG reduction goals. The researchers propose to provide a decision support framework using a GHG mitigation “supply curve,” where the expected cost-effectiveness and total scale of mitigation is represented for a comprehensive set of possible actions. An approach for developing first-order life cycle assessment and life cycle costing and critical review will be used, and qualitative indicators for actions that may provide co-benefits (e.g., improved environmental or accessibility outcomes), especially for disadvantaged communities, will be included. Stakeholders including local governments, their consultants, and community organizations, will be engaged throughout this project.
