Climatologists tell us that if worldwide CO2 emissions peak in 2015 – seven years from now – we have only a 50/50 chance of avoiding catastrophic effects of climate change. Achieving this target will require policies to begin reducing emissions in the U.S. and industrialized nations on an even faster timetable. A good many tools in the transportation kit require major infrastructure build outs and the changing over of fleets, none of which produce significant CO2 reductions as quickly as needed.

Congestion pricing is the phrase of the minute in New York. Behind congestion pricing are the claims of many that new technologies enable this elusive management tool to finally be applied. But there is much analysis and application that go from real time data collection to time of day or capacity based pricing. This talk will highlight developments and tools in technology, methodology and operational concepts for an integrated management approach to our road networks.

Enthusiasm for the private provision of infrastructure – such as highways, railroads, electricity and water – seems to be waning among the developing countries just as it is increasing in the United States and Europe. To what extent was private provision of infrastructure successful in developing countries and what does their experience suggest for the future of private investment in the United States?

If transportation policy is going to achieve critical national objectives around economic competiveness, environmental sustainability, and social equity in an era of fiscal constraints it will require a 21st-century transportation vision.

The average U.S. male historically commutes further and longer than his female counterpart. Yet pivotal changes at home, as younger women especially increase their influence on household location and work decisions, and in the labor market, as women’s participation rates and profiles approach men’s, both strongly suggest that gender’s influence on travel might be changing as well. Further, the independent and interactive influence of other demographic factors, not least age and race, remain unclear.

The world is headed toward two billion vehicles. Is this sustainable? Not without transforming vehicles, fuels, and transportation—not only in the U.S., but virtually everywhere. Professor Sperling will examine the roots of the problem: the resistant auto industry, dysfunctional oil markets, shortsighted government policies, and unmotivated consumers. He will focus on the role of innovation and policy in bringing about low carbon fuels, electric-drive vehicles, socially responsible behavior, enhanced mobility services, and low-carbon cities.

The UK domestic sector is responsible for 42% of national CO2 emissions. From this sector, private transport contributes 29% and flights 12%. Personal Carbon Trading (PCT) is a radical policy proposed in the UK aiming to reducing emissions from the domestic sector and therefore if implemented would have implications for personal mobility. In short, PCT is a mandatory downstream cap and trade policy where emission rights are allocated to individuals. The scheme covers direct personal emissions - e.g.

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The US is facing a national transportation dilemma in system performance and funding which will lead to dramatic changes in government policy. The next national transportation authorization is considered the most critical since 1956, the year the interstate highway system and the trust fund were founded. This bill will chart the path for transportation in the 21st century. What are the options that may be the pillars for the authorization? Is there a new transportation vision for the nation? Where are we going and how do we get there?