Transportation
A growing economy relies on an effective and efficient transportation system; however, issues related to pollution, congestion, and safety can dampen that growth. RFF experts are analyzing the costs, benefits, and distributional consequences of transportation policies to help lawmakers design programs that can effectively impact consumer and producer behaviors.
Fuel Economy Standards and New Vehicle Sales
Read about the relationship between regulations and sales.
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Reviewing the Fuel Economy Standards Rollback
Find data and analysis on US fuel economy standards.
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Alternative Fuels and Vehicles
Examining the relevant policies, regulations, and markets
CAFE Standards and Fuel Efficiency
Analyzing policies that reduce fuel demand and carbon emissions
Fuel Taxes
Analyzing how fuel taxes interact with existing fuel efficiency policies.
Traffic Congestion
Exploring policy options to reduce the inefficiencies of gridlock.
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Working Paper — Apr 13, 2020
Interpreting Tradable Credit Prices in Overlapping Vehicle Regulations
An interpretation of credit prices for three overlapping regulations for passenger vehicles: corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards, greenhouse gas (GHG) standards, and zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) programs.
Issue Brief — Apr 7, 2020
Managing Investment Revenues and Costs in the Transportation Climate Initiative Region
Allowance price and revenue variability could pose a challenge for the investment of auction proceeds to modernize transportation infrastructure in the Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI). A price staircase could stabilize revenues and automatically increase the stringency of the program if costs are lower than expected.
Common Resources — Mar 31, 2020
The Proposed Rollback of Fuel Economy Standards Ignores Their Societal Benefits
Despite ongoing attempts to weaken the Obama-era guidelines, fuel economy standards have offered more benefits than costs to consumers.
Working Paper — Apr 13, 2020
Interpreting Tradable Credit Prices in Overlapping Vehicle Regulations
An interpretation of credit prices for three overlapping regulations for passenger vehicles: corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards, greenhouse gas (GHG) standards, and zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) programs.
Issue Brief — Apr 7, 2020
Managing Investment Revenues and Costs in the Transportation Climate Initiative Region
Allowance price and revenue variability could pose a challenge for the investment of auction proceeds to modernize transportation infrastructure in the Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI). A price staircase could stabilize revenues and automatically increase the stringency of the program if costs are lower than expected.
Working Paper — Mar 31, 2020
Have US Fuel Economy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards Improved Social Welfare?
This paper provides the first comprehensive social welfare estimates of recent fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards.
Workshop/Seminar — Dec 3, 2018
New Research Questions on Electricity, Transportation, and Carbon Markets: What Stands in the Way Becomes the Way
Workshop/Seminar — Dec 2, 2015
The Evolving US Vehicle Fleet: Responding to New Federal Regulations
Panelists analyzed consumer demand for fuel economy and how lower gasoline prices can affect future fuel savings.
Policy Leadership Series — Oct 15, 2015
US Climate Policy: How We Got Here and What it Means for the Future
At this RFF Policy Leadership Forum, Bob Nordhaus, one of the most respected figures in US energy policy circles, discussed the evolution of US climate policy and its future prospects.
Press Release — Feb 5, 2020
New Study: “What Does Ridesharing Replace?”
A new working paper investigates how the availability of ridesharing affects traffic, air pollution, and public transit use.
Press Release — Dec 31, 2019
New Episode of Resources Radio: "2019 Year in Review: Energy and Environmental Policy, with Susan Tierney and Sarah Ladislaw"
Susan Tierney and Sarah Ladislaw discuss the most significant developments in environmental and energy policy over the last year.
Press Release — Nov 26, 2019
New Episode of Resources Radio: “Waive Goodbye? The History and Future of the California Waiver, with Emily Wimberger”
Emily Wimberger provides an overview of the California waiver, and what it would mean for state and national environmental policy if it were revoked.
Common Resources — Mar 31, 2020
The Proposed Rollback of Fuel Economy Standards Ignores Their Societal Benefits
Despite ongoing attempts to weaken the Obama-era guidelines, fuel economy standards have offered more benefits than costs to consumers.
On the Issues — Feb 28, 2020
JPMorgan’s New Climate Commitments, Hydrogen’s Low-Carbon Potential, and More
Connecting this week's environmental and energy news to RFF's economic research.
Resources Radio — Dec 31, 2019
2019 Year in Review: Energy and Environmental Policy, with Susan Tierney and Sarah Ladislaw
Susan Tierney and Sarah Ladislaw discuss the most significant developments in environmental and energy policy over the last year.