In this paper, we review some of the basic energy balance and climate change impact issues associated with biofuels. For both the basic energy and greenhouse gas balances of producing and using a range of fuels, and for the increasingly debated and important issues of nongreenhouse gas impacts such as land, fertilizer, and water use, we conclude that an improved framework for the analysis and evaluation of biofuels is needed. These new methodologies and data sets are needed on both physical and socioeconomic aspects of the life-cycle of biofuels. We detail some of components that could be...
Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) represent a group of technologies that can improve transportation system management and public transit, as well as individual decisions surrounding many aspects of travel. ITS technologies include state-of-the art wireless, electronic, and automated technologies with a goal to improve surface transportation safety, efficiency, and convenience. Reducing energy consumption, while not a primary goal for ITS, is a demonstrated ITS benefit in certain circumstances. This paper reviews and summarizes key energy benefits associated with a variety of ITS...
Climate change and environmental problems have spurred new strategies to reduce fossil fuel consumption in transportation. Two important strategies include a rapid transition to green energy and the replacement of internal combustion vehicles with electric vehicles (EVs). However, the increasing demand for electricity by EVs, especially from time-dependent green sources of energy (e.g., solar, wind), will likely overload the grid at peak hours. Rather than build costly infrastructure improvements for distribution and generation, smart charging programs for EVs could defer charging to off-...
The purpose of this review is to present findings from recent research on Shared automated vehicles (SAV) impacts on mobility and energy. While the literature on potential SAV impacts on travel behavior and the environment is still developing, researchers have suggested that SAVs could reduce transportation costs and incur minimal increases in total trip time due to efficient routing to support pooling. Researchers also speculate that SAVs would result in a 55% reduction in energy use and ~ 90% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.SAV impacts on mobility and energy are uncertain....
Climate change is rapidly becoming known as a tangible issue that must be addressed to avoid major environmental consequences in the future. Recent change in public opinion has been caused by the physical signs of climate change–melting glaciers, rising sea levels, more severe storm and drought events, and hotter average global temperatures annually. Transportation is a major contributor of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas emissions from human activity, accounting for approximately 14 percent of total anthropogenic emissions globally and about 27 percent in the U.S.Fortunately...
This study examines the relative economics of electric vehicle operation in the context of current electricity rates in specific utility service territories. The authors examined 14 utility territories offering electric vehicle (EV) rates, focusing on California but also including other regions of theUnited States. The consumer costs of EV charging were examined in comparison with gasoline price data, geographic location, and during three highly variable gasoline price periods of July 2008, January 2009, and July 2009. In a switch from a conventional 23 mile per gallon (10.2liters/100...
This chapter focuses on two shared mobility modes — carsharing and transportation network companies (TNCs, also known as ridesourcing and ride-hailing) — and how they can incorporate electric vehicles (EVs) into their fleets. Shared mobility is the shared use of a vehicle, scooter, bicycle, or other travel mode; it provides users with short-term access to a travel mode on an as-needed basis. Carsharing (e.g., Zipcar, car2go) offers members access to vehicles by joining an organization that provides and maintains a fleet of cars and/or light trucks. Vehicles may be located throughout a city...
In recent years, mobility on demand (MOD) is gaining popularity among mobility consumers. This innovative concept is based on the principle that transportation is a commodity where modes have economic values that are distinguishable in terms of cost, journey time, wait time, number of con-nections, convenience, and other attributes. MOD enables consumers to access mobility, goods and services on demand by dispatching or using shared mobility, ...
