Environmental Policy Commons^™

Oregon Highway Cost Allocation Study: Carbon Tax Issue Paper, Portland State University. College Of Urban And Public Affairs. Northwest Economic Research Center

Northwest Economic Research Center Publications and Reports

The basic insight behind carbon pricing is not new, and is based in mainstream economic theory. If market interactions are leading to the overuse of resources outside of the market, imposing a price on the overused resource will bring it into the market and increase efficiency. Currently, the negative impacts associated with the release of carbon through fossil fuel combustion is not incorporated into the market. By imposing a price on carbon, fossil fuel consumers are incentivized to reduce their fuel usage. This reduction in fuel demand is not necessarily associated with lower economic output. In fact, depending on the …

Cracking Susceptibility Of Concrete Made With Recycled Concrete Aggregate, O. Burkan Isgor, Jason Ideker, Tengfei Fu, Matthew P. Adams

TREC Final Reports

As high-quality, local, natural aggregate resources continue to become less available, and the cost of landfilling waste material rises, the need for alternative aggregates and recycling of waste material will increase. Using RCA in fresh concrete is one way to address both of these issues. However, there has long been a concern that RCA may negatively affect the properties of new concrete in which it is included. The results of the present investigation, however, indicate that the use of RCA in new concrete may not produce higher levels of free drying shrinkage as previously believed. Actually, these results show that …

Data-Driven Illustrations For Climate Smart Communities Scenarios, Nancy Yen-Wen Cheng, Kim Ellis, Molly Vogt, Clint Chiavarini, Justin Houk, Brian Lockyear, Boyce Postma, Peggy Morell

TREC Final Reports

Public investment in transit and streetscape improvements can encourage private development, and subsequently increase transit ridership and reduce pollution. Portland, OR’s Metro regional government has developed investment scenarios designed to reduce light vehicle carbon emissions. Adopting a regional scenario requires public review and consultation with local governments who will implement the comprehensive plans and land-use regulations. Decision makers and residents need to understand potential benefits: ways in which targeted investment could generate more livable urban spaces while reducing greenhouse gases. Illustrations can show how the investments could shape the pedestrian experience through trees, street furniture, buildings, open spaces, etc.

This …

Indicators Of The Metroscape: Emissions, Michael Burnham

Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies Publications

Brief article outlining transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions in the Portland Metropolitan Area.

Regional Travel Options 2007-08 Program Evaluation, Jennifer Dill, Stephan Brown

Urban Studies and Planning Faculty Publications and Presentations

To help implement the Growth Concept, Metro’s Regional Travel Options (RTO) Program works to increase awareness of non-SOV alternatives and increase the provision of those alternatives. The program complements other strategies, including land use policies and infrastructure investment. The most comprehensive data available for this evaluation come from commute surveys of employees at work sites that participate in outreach programs offered by TriMet. All of the RTO evaluations have used these data as a benchmark for overall progress, though the data only captures commute travel. The 2008 data reflect the commute patterns of about 120,000 employees commuting to 549 worksites. …

Food Delivery Footprint: Addressing Transportation, Packaging, And Waste In The Food Supply Chain, Madeleine E. Pullman, Robin Fenske, Wayne Wakeland

Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

Transportation of food accounts for a significant fraction of the carbon dioxide emissions believed to be adversely impacting climate and the environment. And this impact is increasing as food supply chains become longer and more complex, and food packaging requirements lead to increased waste. Many organizations such as hospitals and upper level education are becoming increasingly concerned about sustainability. In this study, college, university, and hospital food purchasing behavior were assessed using interviews, surveys, and modeling to evaluate the environmental implications of decisions regarding food transportation and packaging. Current purchasing practices, corresponding transportation modes, packaging, recycling, and waste removal were …

Measuring The Effects Of Food Carbon Footprint Training On Consumer Knowledge, Transfer Intentions, And Environmental Self-Efficacy, Wayne Wakeland, Lindsay Sears, Kumar Venkat

Systems Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

The supply chains through which foods are produced, processed, and transported can have a significant impact on the environment in terms of the carbon dioxide (CO2) that is emitted during each of these phases; however, little research has incorporated information about environmental impact into supply chain scenarios. Moreover, many consumers are unaware of how their food choices may impact the environment in this way. To fill these gaps, a tool called CarbonScope was developed to show consumers the CO2 emissions associated with different food types and food transportation scenarios. A short training was designed that walks participants through various food …

Regional Travel Options 2004-05 Program Evaluation, Jennifer Dill

Urban Studies and Planning Faculty Publications and Presentations

Regional Travel Options contracted with the Portland State University Center for Urban Studies to evaluate all program efforts over the 2004-05 fiscal year. Services provided were shown in relationship to the Regional Travel Options program 5-year strategic plan. The level of participation, satisfaction and the use of alternative travel options were measured where possible. Finally, the extent to which programs supported RTO objectives and connections to other regional goals was assessed. Results included auto-trip reductions. Recommendations for improving data collection were made. Each RTO-partner program is detailed individually in the appendices.

Impacts Of Trip Permit Program Changes On Vehicle Operations And Inspections, Jennifer Dill

Urban Studies and Planning Faculty Publications and Presentations

This research project has two inter-related parts: (1) an assessment of the equity of implications of the emissions inspection program in the State of Oregon and elsewhere; and (2) an assessment of the impacts of the new trip permit program on vehicle operations. The study provides a better understanding of the benefits and equity impacts of the inspection program and the recent change to the trip permit system. The findings will be of use to Oregon, as well as all public agencies that oversee vehicle inspection programs throughout the country. The research includes specific recommendations for addressing equity concerns and …