Transportation Fuel Use Reduction Strategies
Along with the decrease in fuel use due to strategies discussed in the last section, transportation represents a large opportunity to meet and exceed a 5% reduction in fuel use. More analysis should be undertaken to establish the actual benefits from implementing the strategies given in Table 13.
Table 13. Strategies to Decrease Transportation Fuel Use
| Solution | Strategy |
|---|---|
| Integrate Existing Private Shuttle Routes | Publish route info, coordinate schedules, open buses to the public |
| Promote City and Institutional Leadership | Encourage programs to specify cleaner fleet vehicles and reduce vehicle miles traveled |
| Transportation Auditing | ESCO style audits to identify opportunities to reduce auto use |
| Parking | Use parking rates, new construction space requirements, and cash-out programs as tools to reduce the convenience of driving everywhere |
| Real-Time Information | Provide user-friendly schedule and route information for public transit options though the wireless mesh network |
| Encourage Walking and Biking |
Close streets to cars and improve bike paths |
| Decrease Convenience of Driving |
HOV lanes and congestion charges |
| One Payer System | Improve convenience of public transit options |
| Improve Existing Vehicle Efficiency | Properly inflated tires and real-time MPG display |
| Identify Freight Opportunities | Potential for bicycle use |
A few areas were identified where transit opportunities overlapped with building sites. One idea was to tie a transportation audit to the building energy efficiency program. This ESCO style audit would help residents identify opportunities to use public transportation or carpooling options. Working with business to explore opportunities for local bicycle freight deliveries also offers potential cost savings, with a fraction potentially going to Cambridge Energy Alliance or a partner.
Because of the low cost and relative convenience of driving personal vehicles, it was difficult to find pathways for Cambridge Energy Alliance to achieve a return on investment while improving transportation efficiency. However, many ways are presented to reduce the carbon footprint of the transportation sector by discouraging auto use.
Another key idea was to increase the availability of private shuttle bus systems, including Harvard and MIT’s transit systems and the EZ Ride commuter shuttle. It was agreed that by coordinating schedules, routes, and advertising, these existing systems could be useful alternatives for local residents and workers. MBTA’s new Charlie Card payment program also helps to make public transit more convenient. It was suggested to institute a broader one payer system, which would allow access to various modes of public transit, shuttle buses, and even parking payments though a single card or school ID. Real-time information on bus locations and schedules accessible through the wireless mesh network would also increase ridership on public transit.
A key opportunity is the imminent replacement of the BU and Longfellow Bridges. During the construction, commuters will have to find alternative routes or modes of transit, and Cambridge has the chance to apply for “Mitigation Money” from the state to help reduce congestion. The transportation group recommended that the city of Cambridge develop a plan to use this funding for comprehensive alternative transportation and public transit schemes. Other city policies discussed included a proposal to issue T passes to new condo owners or to require monthly parking passes for on-street parking that would function as T passes for a month after they expired as parking passes.
An additional suggestion was to allow residents to charge market prices for parking spaces in front of their houses, thus making driving more costly and neighbors less likely to oppose new zero parking developments.
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