TITLE:
“Using Visualization Tools to Build Consensus for Sustainability and Greenhouse Gas CO2 Emission Reduction” - TRB Paper No. 09-3272 version 3
ABSTRACT:
There is an emerging consensus that the U.S. needs to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60-80% from current levels. While some state departments of transportation (DOTs) are undertaking serious exploration and/or making significant steps to reach emissions and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reductions, DOTs and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) feel their planning tools fall far short of needs and demands. Visualization tools and techniques can be very helpful in assisting MPOs to help members of the public understand the implications of transportation and land use decision making, and particularly to associate how individual preferences and actions can impact public policy choices, including actions that affect rising global temperatures and atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions. Using such tools and understanding the inter-relationships between competing and complimentary desires, communities have endorsed development scenarios, which reduce greenhouse gas production by 50%, while preserving the other top values and preferences.