Overview 

AB 1483: Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions -- California
Passed into law in July 2002, this bill will set limits on greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles sold in the state. AB 1493 requires the California Air Resources Board (ARB) to develop greenhouse gas emissions standards for passenger vehicles starting with model year 2009.

Blueprint Denver (PDF) is Denver's new 20-year growth management plan that calls for signficant expansion of transit options to accommodate the continuing influx of new residents to the city. With an estimated 132,000 new residents arriving in the next twenty years, the plan envisions higher densities in some areas, all served by light rail, expanded bus, and even subway service at the downtown Union Station.

Central City Transportation Management Plan--Portland, Oregon
A policy based on the theme "Growth with Livability," which aims for concentrated growth within the Central City area and avoiding sprawl, which is difficult to serve by public transit. The plan is a multi-modal transportation policy that recognizes that a balanced system is needed to meet the circulation and access needs of Central City.

Cleaner Bus School Campaign
A 2002 Minnesota state law that requires schools to minimize school bus idling and to ensure that diesel emissions are not pulled into classrooms through air intake vents.

Clean Cars for Connecticut--Connecticut, 2004 (PDF)
State legislation passed in 2004, and also in place in Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey, calls for all new cars and light trucks starting with the 2007 model year to meet stricter vehicle emission standard, as issued by the California Air Resources Board.

Growing Smart--National 
A program by the American Planning Association that provides communities with alternative approaches to modernizing state and local community statutes and serves as a national planning statute clearinghouse. 

Maine Sensible Transportation Policy Act--State of Maine; 1992 
Ensures that transportation decisions, including the commitment of funding, are made under a transportation policy which is based on sustainable principles. 
*Statement of Fact 
*Policy Act Text 

Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century--National
TEA-21 and its updates appear on this Federal Highway Administration website. Summaries of the legislation are provided, and the program's annual budget is posted.

Clean Fuels 

SB 86 - Excise Tax Abatement for Fuel Efficient Vehicles--New Mexico; March 2004
Sets up a tax abatement program for New Mexico residents who buy highly-efficient new cars.

SF 1495 Biodiesel Content Mandate--Minnesota; 2002
Mandates at least two percent biodiesel in all diesel fuel oil sold in Minnesota under two scenarios. The first scenario is when the state production capacity for biodiesel is greater than 8 million gallons and 18 months have passed since a federal action creates a two cent per gallon reduction in the price of diesel fuel containing at least two percent biodiesel. The second scenario is when the state production capacity for biodiesel is greater than 8 million gallons and June 30, 2005 has passed.

Hydrogen Highway Network Initiative -- California
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an executive order in April 2004 that creates a public and private partnership to build a "hydrogen highway" in the state by 2010. The Hydrogen Highway Network initiative aims to speed the transition to a hydrogen transportation economy in California by building a network of 150 to 200 hydrogen fueling stations throughout the state—roughly one every 20 miles on the state's major highways. The order also calls on the California Environmental Protection Agency to develop a plan by year-end for the state's transition to a hydrogen economy.

Bicycle and Pedestrian 

Bicycle and Pedestrian Program
The Federal Highway Administration provides summaries and text of federal legislation related to bicycle and pedestrian transportation accessibility, use, and safety. Federal Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Policies are also reviewed in a CRS Report for Congress that is available online.

Bicycle and Traffic Reductions Policies--Palo Alto, California; various
Supports bicycling as an alternative transportation mode and traffic reduction component through a combination of policy documents. 
*City Policy Regarding Employee Showers  
*Bicycle Access to Drive in Facilities 
*Off-street Parking and Loading Regulations 

Maryland Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan--Maryland; 2001
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Access 2001 Bill required a 20-year statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Access Plan to guide future transportation projects in Maryland. The development of the Master Plan is a collaborative effort involving state and local planning officials and private citizen groups from the around the state.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan--State of Alaska; 1995 
Promotes bicycling and walking as transportation alternatives through planning, design and construction choices. 

Pedestrian/Bicycle Component Plans--Puget Sound, Washington; 1995 
Supports alternative transportation modes as part of the areas metropolitan transportation plan. 

Telecommuting 

Telework Guidelines--Portland, Oregon; 1995 
Establishes guidelines for city employees to work at alternate locations on a regular schedule, reducing or avoiding commute trips.  In PDF format.

Telework Laws--National
Federal laws applicable to telework and federal employees are posted on the Interagency Telework/Telecommuting site hosted by the United States General Services Administration and the United States Office of Personnel Management.

Transit-Oriented Development

Construction of Transit-Based Developments
This September 2001 report from the Mineta Transportation Institute reviews policies and legislative programs that can be adopted at all levels of government to encourage transit-based development.  In PDF format, 148 pages.

Trip Reduction 

Congestion Management Code--Beverly Hills, California; 1997 
Requires residential and non-residential developers to include transportation management and trip reduction measures. 

Washington State's Commute Trip Reduction Program 
The Legislature recognized the state's crucial leadership role in establishing and implementing an effective commute trip reduction program, and set the policy that mandates agencies to aggressively develop programs to reduce commute trips by state employees. Telework and flexible hours policies are included.

Transportation Alternatives 

Transportation Systems Management Ordinance--Davis, California; 1992 
Requires Davis employers to institute plans promoting alternative commute modes. 

Transportation Systems Management Ordinances (Legislative changes in California invalidated mandatory transportation systems management plans; however, Pleasanton was committed to the program and so instituted a ‘voluntary ordinance.’) 
* Mandatory Transportation Systems Management--Pleasanton, California; 1994 
* Rewritten Voluntary Transportation Systems Management--Pleasanton, California; 1997 
Outlines a program for employers to institute methods promoting alternative methods of transportation or reduction of work-related commuting.

Last updated: June 30, 2004

Back to Top