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.
Featured Content
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- Resources Magazine
Explainer — Mar 3, 2021
Federal Climate Policy 101: Reducing Emissions
An overview of climate policy tools available for federal emissions reduction efforts and the key criteria for evaluating climate policy.
Common Resources — Mar 3, 2021
Can Public Transit Survive COVID and Compete with Uber? A Look at Long-Term Ridership Trends
Contrary to public perception, the rise of private transit companies has not propelled public transportation into long-term decline. Robust long-term demand for buses and trains strengthens the case for helping maintain public transportation services.
Resources Magazine — Feb 25, 2021
Big Decisions: The Future of US Environmental and Energy Policy
On the Resources Radio podcast, guest hosts Richard G. Newell and Susan F. Tierney talked with leading decisionmakers, analysts, researchers, and reporters about the big decisions that will impact US environmental and energy policy in the years to come.
Explainer — Mar 3, 2021
Federal Climate Policy 101: Reducing Emissions
An overview of climate policy tools available for federal emissions reduction efforts and the key criteria for evaluating climate policy.
Working Paper — Feb 18, 2021
Price Limits in a Tradable Performance Standard
In this paper, researchers develop a simple analytical model to derive the welfare comparison between tradable performance standards and a price-based alternative.
Testimony and Public Comments — Feb 3, 2021
Testimony to the US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on Establishing a Baseline of Global Climate Facts
RFF President and CEO Richard G. Newell testifies to the US Senate Committee on global climate, energy, and emissions trends; clean energy advancements; and the benefits of a technologically-inclusive policy approach.
Workshop/Seminar — Jul 15, 2020
Exploring Innovative Transportation Policies
A summary of and presentations from a two-day virtual workshop on transportation carbon pricing in the TCI
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.
Media Highlight — Feb 3, 2021
Senate Energy Chair Manchin Says Fossil Fuels 'Aren't Going Anywhere' Soon
S&P Global reports on a hearing by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee that featured testimony from RFF President Richard G. Newell.
Media Highlight — Feb 2, 2021
Biden Administration Wants Electric Vehicles To Replace Gas Guzzlers
NPR's Morning Edition features commentary by RFF Senior Fellow Josh Linn on a new iteration of the Cash for Clunkers program.
Media Highlight — Jan 29, 2021
Biden’s Green Push Gives Detroit the Cover to Go Electric
A story about GM's decision to go all-electric is shared in Bloomberg, the LA Times, and other outlets.
Common Resources — Mar 3, 2021
Can Public Transit Survive COVID and Compete with Uber? A Look at Long-Term Ridership Trends
Contrary to public perception, the rise of private transit companies has not propelled public transportation into long-term decline. Robust long-term demand for buses and trains strengthens the case for helping maintain public transportation services.
Resources Magazine — Feb 25, 2021
Big Decisions: The Future of US Environmental and Energy Policy
On the Resources Radio podcast, guest hosts Richard G. Newell and Susan F. Tierney talked with leading decisionmakers, analysts, researchers, and reporters about the big decisions that will impact US environmental and energy policy in the years to come.
Resources Magazine — Feb 25, 2021
More from the Climate Insights 2020 Survey
RFF and Stanford researchers provide follow-ups from our Climate Insights 2020 survey, which gauges American public opinion on climate change and the environment.