Keeyahna Sheard, UG

Francisco Arbelaez, GRAD

Climate Change Issues and Transportation Solutions for

Miami Dade County Outline

Introduction/Background

Methodology/Analysis

Results

Conclusion

Introduction

Based on the course the pressing issues in transportation

are:

Highway congestion

Walking and biking infrastructure

Financing transportation

Introduction

Problem started with past

U.S. transportation and

land-use policy plans

Highway and road

construction

Suburbanization

Growing Populations

Introduction

Problems

Automobile dependency

High carbon emission

Sprawled communities

Climate change

Introduction

Recommendations

Enforce methods that

decrease carbon emission.

Transportation plans and

Land Use Plans

Design modes that include

walking and biking

Background

Is Miami-Dade County aware of climate change issues and

using innovative transportation methods to address the

problem?

1. Reviewed Nature Conservancy Carbon Footprint Tool

2. Evaluated Miami-Dade County 2030 Long Range

Transportation Plan

3. Interviewed 2 Miami-Dade Planner about their

Awareness & Action

Methodology/ Analysis

Carbon Footprint Tool

Miami-Dade LRTP

Interviews

Nature Conservancy Carbon

Footprint Tool Methodology

Measures Individual Carbon Usage

• Home Energy

• Driving and Flying

• Food and Diet

• Recycle and Waste

Compared Individual to United States Emission

Average

Nature Conservancy Carbon

Footprint Variables

Home Energy Variable

Household type State residence

Transportation Carbon Emissions Variable

Transportation type

Hybrid, small, midsize, or

large vehicle size

Miles driven Air filter and tire pressure

check-up

Associates air filter check up with standard oil changes

Number of flight miles

Long distance Short distance

Food and diet Meat Organic foods

Recycling Habits

Waste amountsType of

Materials

Amount of Compost Food

& Scraps

Miami-Dade County LRTP to the Year

2030 Analysis CriteriaAWARENESS

BackgroundVision & Mission

Public participation

Coordination

Consistency

Social consideration

ANALYSIS

Data

Modeling

ACTION

Emission Reduction

Environment

Alternative Travel mode

Land Use Need Assessment

FinanceImplementation

Education & Information

Sharing

Miami-Dade Awareness & Action

Interview Methodology :

Participants

Transportation Signage And Signs Division of the Public Works Department

Transportation Systems Manager

Issues Discussed

Sea Level Rise

Everglades

Growth Management,

Habitat Displacement

Finance

Climate Control Policies

Results

Carbon Footprint Tool

Miami-Dade LRTP

Interviews

Carbon Footprint Results Based on individual usage or reduction of carbon dioxide.

Formula

Adds points for high carbon dioxide usage

Reduces the points for low carbon dioxide usage.

Provides alternatives to individual carbon emission.

Carbon Foot Print

Result of 1 Miami-

Dade Resident

“Averages are based on US EPA

Inventory of Greenhouse Gas

Emissions and Sinks24 and

behavior emissions (savings or

additions) are determined from

the answers submitted.

World average for greenhouse

gas emissions are 3.2 billion

metric tons carbon dioxide

equivalent. This equates to 5.5

short tons per person.25”

Results of Miami-Dade 2030 LRTP

Evaluation for Climate Change

•83 % of the issue were met or addressed.

•Failed to address:

•Providing brief description of the Climate Change issues for the state.

•Providing a statement about the issues of Climate Change

•Providing general goals & objectives explicitly state the issue of climate change

AWARENESS

•60 of the issues were addressed.

•Failed to address:

•Project impacts of Climate Change

•Emission trend forecast

ANALYSIS

•67% of the issues were addressed.

•Failed to address:

•Reduction in GHG emission

•Reduction in Vehicle Miles Traveled

•Use of efficient vehicles

•Preserve (urban) parks and open spaces Conserve Forest Area

•Preserve agricultural land

•Sustain street tree system

•Encourage Compact development

•Need for Walking system/infrastructure

ACTION

Miami Dade Interviewed

Participants Issues ResultsSea Level Rise

• Don’t knew what to do or what can be done Everglades Growth Management

Habitat Displacement Urban growth Boundary

Line Fuels and Emissions,

GHG

Funding is the biggest barrier

• Ideas get shot down because there is no funding for them

• Implementation Process

Miami Dade Interviewed

Participants Addressing Issues

Results

CO2 reduction plan from the CCATF 1993 – Long Term Urban CO2

Reduction Plan formally adopted

• Reduce CO2 emissions by 20% of 1988 baseline by 2005

Mass transit and Road Improvements and to increase fuel

efficiency

Improve the flow of traffic Reduce lighting bulbs that light our streets and the energy used to light

our streets.

Solar powered lighting, LED instead of bulbs

Miami Dade Interviewed

Participants Future Actions ResultSecure funding for the assessment

and cleanup of Brownfield's

Use Alternative fuels such as Biodiesel and ethanol.

Expand the hybrid vehicle fleet.

Use of LED lighting to reduce GHG

Green building but nothing as far along at the county level

Centralized coordinating committee to oversee all green initiatives

Conclusion

Issues

Actions

Recommendations

Issues

Climate change and carbon footprints

Transportation planners need to address it

Effects it has on energy and the environment

Invest in methods that decrease carbon emission

Transportation Planners

Include effective modes of transportation

Promote sustainable energy modes transportation

Transportation plans need to address walking infrastructure

Actions Miami –Dade LRTP Actions

Non-motorized mode of travel (walking and biking)

Non-auto mode of travel (ferry, etc).

Encourages Transit-Oriented Development

Mixed use development

Urban growth boundary

Should take actions on:

Use of efficient vehicles

Preserve (urban) parks and open spaces Conserve Forest Area

Preserve agricultural land

Sustain street tree system

Encourage Compact development

Walking system/infrastructure

RECOMMENDATIONS Miami-Dade need to address

A reduction in GHG emission

A reduction in Vehicle Miles Traveled

Promote or provide incentives for the use of efficient vehicles

Promote efforts that identify their carbon-emission levels

Promote efforts to create a carbon reduction plan

Promote efforts that preserve(urban) parks and open spaces, conserve forest area, agricultural land.

Fuel Taxation

To create revenue and reduce emissions

Drivers will seek other measures to economize their gasoline expense and mileage

Discourage gas guzzler purchases and encourage hybrid vehicle sales

Negative impact in low income communities

RECOMMENDATIONSAir Quality Measuring

(ARM) Stations at locations throughout the county.

Measure CO2 and Particulate Matter

Tax based on the distance of the property to the nearest Arm Station

Air quality measurement of the station

Generate tax revenue

References Carbon Footprint Calculator: What's My Carbon Footprint?

The Nature Conservancy. 28 Jan. 2009

http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/calculato

r/

Mapping Data used comes from :

The United States Census Bureau

Miami Dade County GIS Department

Florida International University

Florida Geographic Data Library

Keeyahna Sheard, UG

Francisco Arbelaez, GRAD