research report

Implementing SB 743: An Analysis of Vehicle Miles Traveled Banking and Exchange Frameworks

Publication Date

October 1, 2018

Associated Project

Author(s)

Eric Prather, Ethan Elkind, Ted Lamm

Areas of Expertise

Travel Behavior, Land Use, & the Built Environment

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Abstract

Pursuant to Senate Bill 743 (Steinberg, 2013), which reformed the process for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review of transportation impacts to align with greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research identified vehicle miles traveled (VMT) as the key metric to measure transportation impacts of new developments under CEQA. As a result, project developers will now have to reduce vehicle miles traveled to mitigate significant transportation impacts. In response, state and local policymakers are considering the creation of mitigation “banks” or “exchanges.” This report assesses the structural and legal considerations that could determine which model (i.e., banks or exchanges) and scope are appropriate for each implementing jurisdiction (i.e., city, county, regional, state). This report also analyzes a number of existing programs that provide additional models for implementation.

Related Publications

policy brief

Considerations for Mitigating Vehicle Miles Traveled under SB 743

research report

A Comparison of Zero-Emission Highway Trucking Technologies

Publication Date

October 1, 2018

Associated Project

A Comparison of Zero-Emission Highway Trucking Technologies

Author(s)

Andrew Burke, Hengbing Zhao, Lewis Fulton, Miguel Jaller, Qian Wang

Areas of Expertise

Freight, Logistics, & Supply Chain Zero-Emission Vehicles & Low-Carbon Fuels

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Abstract

Zero-emission long-haul trucking technologies are being developed that can play a critical role in achieving California’s climate change goals and virtually eliminate air pollution from these vehicles. Hydrogen fuel-cell electric, catenary electric, and dynamic inductive charging technologies are being demonstrated in small-scale projects worldwide. In this study, these three zero-emission truck technologies were reviewed in detail, and vehicle and infrastructure challenges and costs for each of the technologies were assessed. In the near- to mid-term, electrifying the entire California state highway system or deploying large hydrogen stations at many statewide truck stops would require very large capital costs, on the order of billions of dollars, even though, at least initially, there will likely be relatively few zero-emission long-haul trucks in use. Considering technology readiness, energy efficiency, and capital cost, the most feasible approach for zero-emission technologies for long-haul trucks may be to deploy local or regional catenary systems. Dynamic inductive charge systems could be introduced, though with perhaps more disruption as roadways are prepared for this service. Hydrogen fuel cell trucks will benefit from some scalability but will require large hydrogen refueling stations along highways. The initial “up-front” investment in infrastructure for hydrogen trucks appears somewhat lower than for the other two options but the cost of providing hydrogen to vehicles will be high, especially if provided using electrolysis. In the longer term, all three of the technologies could become economically competitive with diesel trucking, though this depends on many factors and uncertainties.

policy brief

Public-Private Partnerships Show Promise for Shifting Export of California Produce from Truck to Rail

Publication Date

September 1, 2018

Associated Project

Encouraging Mode Shift from Truck to Rail for California Produce

Author(s)

Josh Seeherman, Jae Esther Jung, Juan Caicedo, Mark Hansen

Areas of Expertise

Freight, Logistics, & Supply Chain Travel Behavior, Land Use, & the Built Environment

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Abstract

California is one of the largest producers of perishable produce in the world; producing about 25 million tons of fruits and vegetables each year. This sector supports a large transportation industry that handles the exports of these goods. Starting from the 1950’s, the export of produce has gradually shifted modes from rail to trucks. Currently, only 3% of California’s produce is being exported by rail. However, this share has begun to increase due to efforts in private industry to monetize this space, with total rail tonnage exceeding one million for the first time in decades starting in 2012. See Figure 1. Much of this increase is due to the modest success of companies in the San Joaquin Valley aggregating crop exports onto rail unit trains. While utilizing trucking may be cheaper for growers, shippers, and buyers, it has generated a number of negative externalities, including impacts to the environment, public health and public roads (e.g., pavement damage). Encouraging a shift from transporting produce by trucks to rail could help reduce these negative externalities.

Related Publications

research report

Encouraging Mode Shift from Truck to Rail for California Produce

research report

Encouraging Mode Shift from Truck to Rail for California Produce

Publication Date

September 1, 2018

Associated Project

Encouraging Mode Shift from Truck to Rail for California Produce

Author(s)

Jae Esther Jung, Josh Seeherman, Juan Caicedo, Mark Hansen

Areas of Expertise

Freight, Logistics, & Supply Chain Travel Behavior, Land Use, & the Built Environment

View research report

Abstract

California is one of the largest producers of perishable produce in the world. This sector supports a large transportation industry that handles the exports of these goods. Starting from the 1950s, the export of produce has gradually shifted modes from rail to truck. This project builds on the initial work from the “Rail and the California Economy” project by examining the potential of shifting the movement of perishable produce in California from truck to rail. The final report provides a review of the state of the California rail system in terms of perishable produce transport and where there have been recent increases in rail modal share; analyzes and discusses the societal costs of trucking; outlines how PPPs (public-private-partnerships) relate to rail and provides examples of rail PPP in California such as the highly successful Colton Crossing project; and proposes a location in Monterey County where government support through a PPP could result in lasting beneficial changes. In summary, although rail is currently a very small player in the transport of California perishable produce exports, increasing its modal share would be beneficial to the citizens of the state by reducing the number of negative externalities. Public entities should consider different ways, such as PPP, to encourage this growth. In areas where the private sector has already invested significant money, some modal shifts for certain crops have already occurred.

Related Publications

policy brief

Public-Private Partnerships Show Promise for Shifting Export of California Produce from Truck to Rail

published journal article

Traffic management and networking for autonomous vehicular highway systems

Publication Date

August 30, 2018

Associated Project

Infrastructure-to-vehicle Communications for Autonomous Vehicle Systems

Areas of Expertise

Intelligent Transportation Systems, Emerging Technologies, & Big Data

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Abstract

We develop traffic management and data networking mechanisms and study their integrated design for an autonomous transportation system. The traffic management model involves a multi-lane multi-segment highway. Ramp managers regulate the admission of vehicles into the highway and their routing to designated lanes. Vehicles moving across each lane are organized into platoons. A Platoon Leader (PL) is elected in each platoon and is used to manage its members and their communications with the infrastructure and with vehicles in other platoons. We develop new methods that are employed to determine the structural formations of platoons and their mobility processes in each lane, aiming to maximize the realized flow rate under vehicular end-to-end delay constraints. We set a limit on the vehicular on-ramp queueing delay and on the (per unit distance) transit time incurred along the highway. We make use of the platoon formations to develop new Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) wireless networking cross-layer schemes that are used to disseminate messages among vehicles traveling within a specified neighborhood. For this purpose, we develop algorithms that configure a hierarchical networking architecture for the autonomous system. Certain platoon leaders are dynamically assigned to act as Backbone Nodes (BNs). The latter are interconnected by communications links to form a Backbone Network (Bnet). Each BN serves as an access point for its Access Network (Anet), which consists of its mobile clients. We study the delay-throughput performance behavior of the network system and determine the optimal setting of its parameters, assuming both TDMA and IEEE 802.11p-oriented wireless channel sharing (MAC) schemes. Integrating these traffic management and data networking mechanisms, we demonstrate the performance tradeoffs available to the system designer and manager when aiming to synthesize an autonomous transportation system operation that achieves targeted vehicular flow rates and transit delays while also setting the data communications network system to meet targeted message throughput and delay objectives.

Related Publications

policy brief

Traffic Management and Data Networking for Autonomous Transportation Systems

conference paper

Millimeter Wave Data Networking for Autonomous Vehicle Systems

published journal article

Infrastructure-Aided Networking for Autonomous Vehicular Systems

policy brief

User Acceptance and Public Perception Regarding Automated Driving Systems

Publication Date

August 1, 2018

Associated Project

User Acceptance and Public Policy Implications for Deployment of Automated Driving Systems

Author(s)

Ching-Yao Chan, Pei (Peggy) Wang, Sanaz Montamedi

Areas of Expertise

Intelligent Transportation Systems, Emerging Technologies, & Big Data

View policy brief

Abstract

Fully Automated Driving System (ADS) is one of the most innovative and fundamentally disruptive changes in transportation. This technology has the potential to resolve or mitigate current transportation problems, including reducing traffic accidents, congestion, energy consumption, and pollution. However, the extent of these impacts will depend heavily on public perception and widespread adoption of ADSs.

Related Publications

research report

User Acceptance and Public Policy Implications for Deployment of Automated Driving Systems

policy brief

Intelligent Intersections Reduce Crashes and Will Support the Safe Introduction of Autonomous Vehicles

Publication Date

August 1, 2018

Associated Project

Introducing an Intelligent Intersection

Author(s)

Alex Kurzhanskiy, Pravin Varaiya

Areas of Expertise

Intelligent Transportation Systems, Emerging Technologies, & Big Data

View policy brief

Abstract

Intersections are dangerous. In the U.S., approximately 40% of all crashes, 50% of serious collisions, and 20% of fatalities occur in intersections. Intersections are challenging due to complex interactions among pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles; absence of lane markings; difficulty in determining who has the right of way; blind spots; and illegal movements (e.g., vehicles running red lights). Many cities have developed Vision Zero plans seeking to eliminate traffic injuries and deaths through modifications to road infrastructure, such as adding bike lanes and pedestrian refuge islands. These modifications can be expensive (e.g., the cost of a protected intersection can range between $250,000 to more than a $1 million) and have mixed safety results.It is claimed autonomous vehicles (AVs) will prevent 94% of all crashes involving human error. However, the safety performance of AVs is far below that of human-driven cars. In California, the number of accidents and disengagements per AV mile traveled is 13 to 100 times worse than human-driven cars. The AV fatality rate is equally as bad. AVs find intersections especially challenging; 58 of 66 (88%) AV crashes reported to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) occurred in intersections.Crashes in intersections occur because vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists are missing critical information. Intelligent intersections can provide this information at a relatively low cost of $25,000 to $100,000 per intersection. Intelligent intersections are able to report the traffic signal from all approaches, predict when the signal phase will change, relay information on blind spots, predict red light violations before they occur, and more. This information is broadcast via radio to every traveler in the intersection equipped with a smartphone or Bluetooth device.

Related Publications

research report

Introducing an Intelligent Intersection

research report

User Acceptance and Public Policy Implications for Deployment of Automated Driving Systems

Publication Date

August 1, 2018

Associated Project

User Acceptance and Public Policy Implications for Deployment of Automated Driving Systems

Author(s)

Ching-Yao Chan, Pei (Peggy) Wang, Sanaz Montamedi

Areas of Expertise

Intelligent Transportation Systems, Emerging Technologies, & Big Data

View research report

Abstract

The objective of this project is to understand public perception of Automated Driving Systems (ADS) and to develop acceptance models that can help understand users’ intentions to use fully ADS, including both personally owned fully ADS and shared-use fully ADS. This project consisted of three phases, including (1) in-depth interviews with end-users of partially ADS, (2) interviews with experts in the transportation domain regarding policy gaps for deployment of ADS, and (3) focus group and online surveys to understand public perception and acceptance model of fully ADS. Findings from this study show that safety, vehicle control and compatibility, and trust are the three most critical factors that have influence on users’ acceptance of fully automated driving systems.

Related Publications

policy brief

User Acceptance and Public Perception Regarding Automated Driving Systems

policy brief

Meeting SB 1 Transportation Systems Performance Goals

Publication Date

August 1, 2018

Associated Project

Meeting SB1 Transportation Systems Performance Goals

Author(s)

Alexander Skabardonis, Benjamin McKeever, Michael Mauch

Areas of Expertise

Infrastructure Delivery, Operations, & Resilience

View policy brief

Abstract

The Road Repair and Accountability Act (SB 1) invests $5.4 billion annually over the next decade to help fix and repair California’s transportation system. As part of the SB 1 package, the Solutions for Congested Corridors Program was created and will receive $250 million annually to support multimodal corridor plans that make performance improvements along the state’s most congested highways. This funding will be crucial in maintaining and enhancing the State’s Transportation Management Systems (TMS). The State’s TMS, sometimes called Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), represents a broad class of technology assets on the state highway system, including field elements (e.g., ramp meters, traffic loops, electronic highway message signs), fiber and wireless communication systems, and central management systems (e.g., computer servers running software). To monitor progress and to assure accountability, SB 1 established a TMS performance outcome of “not less than 90 percent of the transportation management system units in good condition”, which Caltrans must meet by 2027.