Urban Goods Movement and Local Climate Action Plans: Assessing Strategies to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Urban Freight Transportation

This report examines how freight transport/goods movement has been addressed in U.S. city climate action planning. Transportation generally is a major contributor of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and freight transport represents a growing component of transportation’s share. Almost all climate action plans (CAPs) address transportation generally, but we wished to focus on efforts to reduce GHG emissions from freight transport specifically. We analyzed 27 advanced local CAPs to determine the degree to which freight transport was targeted in goals and strategies to reduce GHG emissions. We found only six CAPs that included direct measures or programs to reduce freight emissions. Many of the CAPs mentioned general transportation objectives such as lowering vehicle miles traveled or reducing emissions from city-owned vehicle fleets, but most did not include strategies or actions that explicitly targeted freight transport. We identified the specific strategies and actions that cities are taking to address GHG emissions from freight transport, such as working with the freight community to promote anti-idling and encourage transitions to electric and alternative fuel delivery vehicles. We also analyzed freight transport plans relevant for the same cities, and found that most do not explicitly mention reducing GHG emissions. Most of the freight plans are focused on improving reliability and efficiency of freight movement, which would likely have the ancillary benefit of reducing GHG emissions, but that goal was not explicitly targeted in most of these plans. Based on our findings, we recommend that cities specifically target freight transport goals and strategies in their CAPs and better coordinate with planners developing freight transport plans to identify GHG emission reduction approaches

Estimating the rational expectations model of speculative storage : a Monte Carlo comparison of three simulation estimators.

The non-negativity constraint on inventories imposed on the rational expectations theory of speculative storage implies that the conditional mean and variance of commodity prices are non-linear in lagged prices and have a kink at a threshold point. In this paper, the structural parameters of this model are estimated using three simulation-based estimators. In a Monte Carlo experiment, the finite sample properties of the simulated methods of moments estimator of Duffie and Singleton (1993, Econometrica 61 (4), 929–952) the indirect inference estimator of Gourieroux et al. (1993, Journal of Applied Economterics 8, S85–S118) and the efficient method of moments estimator of Gallant and Tauchen (1996, Econometric Theory 12, 657–681) are assessed. Exploiting the invariant distribution implied by the theory allows us to evaluate the error induced by simulations. Our results show that the estimators differ in their sensitivity to the sample size, the number of simulations, choice of auxiliary models, and computation demands. For some estimators, the test for overidentifying restrictions exhibit significant size distortions in small samples. Overall, while the simulation estimators have small bias, they are less efficient than pseudo-maximum likelihood (PMLE). Hence for the small sample sizes considered, the simulation estimators are still inferior to the PMLE estimates in a mean-squared sense.

From Planning to Action: An Evaluation of State Level Climate Action Plans

Climate change is one of the most daunting problems of our time requiring innovative responses to its causes and consequences. In the United States, the long absence of strong federal leadership along with growing public awareness of the problem created a fertile ground for state-level climate action planning. To date, 34 states have adopted Climate Action Plans (CAPs). The question that this study addresses is: Does state-level climate action have the potential to reduce carbon emissions significantly? This question was examined by assessing the relationships between CAPs, emissions reduction targets, plan implementation and emissions mitigation. My hypothesis was that CAPs result in emissions mitigation beyond the trend. This study compares states with and without CAPs, before and after adoption and implementation of plans. The first phase of the research, a content analysis of state-level CAPs, involves four components: 1) CAP development procedures; 2) goal setting, policy coverage and regional coordination; 3) implementation provisions and conditions; and 4) implementation mechanisms and monitoring results. The analysis reveals six types of CAPs, categorized based on the rigor of their targets and implementation. The second phase of the research analyzes the relationships between CAP types and changes in emissions using panel emissions data from 1990 to 2013. The regression model controls for social, political and climatic context, industrial mix and change over time, urban form and energy prices. The research shows that CAPs do result in reductions in emissions, although they are modest. Only a few CAPs set enforceable targets and provide strong evidence of implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Overall, progress towards goals is slow and near-term targets are low. The findings also suggest a role for planners in two key areas: transportation and land use. The analysis demonstrates that state-level CAPs call for low emissions reductions from transportation and land use changes, compared to these sectors’ contribution to total emissions. The regression, though, shows that urban compactness leads to transportation emissions reductions even when controlling for changes in income, energy prices and unemployment. Thus, transportation planning represents a large opportunity for future emissions reductions—particularly through integration with smart growth policies

From Planning to Action: An Evaluation of State Level Climate Action Plans

Climate change is one of the most daunting problems of our time requiring innovative responses to its causes and consequences. In the United States, the long absence of strong federal leadership along with growing public awareness of the problem created a fertile ground for state-level climate action planning. To date, 34 states have adopted Climate Action Plans (CAPs). The question that this study addresses is: Does state-level climate action have the potential to reduce carbon emissions significantly? This question was examined by assessing the relationships between CAPs, emissions reduction targets, plan implementation and emissions mitigation. My hypothesis was that CAPs result in emissions mitigation beyond the trend. This study compares states with and without CAPs, before and after adoption and implementation of plans. The first phase of the research, a content analysis of state-level CAPs, involves four components: 1) CAP development procedures; 2) goal setting, policy coverage and regional coordination; 3) implementation provisions and conditions; and 4) implementation mechanisms and monitoring results. The analysis reveals six types of CAPs, categorized based on the rigor of their targets and implementation. The second phase of the research analyzes the relationships between CAP types and changes in emissions using panel emissions data from 1990 to 2013. The regression model controls for social, political and climatic context, industrial mix and change over time, urban form and energy prices. The research shows that CAPs do result in reductions in emissions, although they are modest. Only a few CAPs set enforceable targets and provide strong evidence of implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Overall, progress towards goals is slow and near-term targets are low. The findings also suggest a role for planners in two key areas: transportation and land use. The analysis demonstrates that state-level CAPs call for low emissions reductions from transportation and land use changes, compared to these sectors’ contribution to total emissions. The regression, though, shows that urban compactness leads to transportation emissions reductions even when controlling for changes in income, energy prices and unemployment. Thus, transportation planning represents a large opportunity for future emissions reductions—particularly through integration with smart growth policies

Materials Joining and Forming: A Summary of the Literature

The Center for Economic Development at the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University prepared this report for the Ohio Manufacturing Institute (OMI) at The Ohio State University. The objective of this study is to provide background analysis of the materials joining and forming industries for the OMI as they prepare a roadmap for the future and recommendations concerning these industries for the Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA). This report provides a literature review and summary of findings. Literature was collected and reviewed from various sources on the materials joining and forming industries. Academic articles, reports, and studies were collated and analyzed from databases, internet searches, and publications. The goal of this report is to provide a clear context of the state, national, and international conversation on the materials joining and forming industries, as well as to delineate opportunities and challenges as it relates to these industries. Materials joining and forming are considered two distinct industries with separate manufacturing purposes. However, we reviewed the materials joining and forming literature as one process. Therefore, we consider materials joining and forming two separate industries under one literature review within this analysis. We will refer to them as the materials joining and forming industries; and will most commonly refer to them as “joining and forming.

Molding: A Summary of the Literature

The Center for Economic Development at the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University prepared this report for the Ohio Manufacturing Institute (OMI) at The Ohio State University. The objective of this study is to provide background analysis of the plastic and polymer molding industry for the OMI as they prepare a roadmap for the future and recommendations concerning this industry for the Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA). This report provides a literature review and summary of findings. Literature was collected and reviewed from various sources on the plastic and polymer molding industry. Academic articles, reports, and studies were collated and analyzed from databases, internet searches, and publications. The goal of this report is to provide a clear context of the state, national, and international conversation on the molding industry, as well as to delineate opportunities and challenges as it related to this technology. The focus of this report is on the plastic and polymer molding industry as well as its supply chain (both forwards and backwards)

Materials Joining and Forming: A Summary of the Literature

The Center for Economic Development at the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University prepared this report for the Ohio Manufacturing Institute (OMI) at The Ohio State University. The objective of this study is to provide background analysis of the materials joining and forming industries for the OMI as they prepare a roadmap for the future and recommendations concerning these industries for the Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA). This report provides a literature review and summary of findings. Literature was collected and reviewed from various sources on the materials joining and forming industries. Academic articles, reports, and studies were collated and analyzed from databases, internet searches, and publications. The goal of this report is to provide a clear context of the state, national, and international conversation on the materials joining and forming industries, as well as to delineate opportunities and challenges as it relates to these industries. Materials joining and forming are considered two distinct industries with separate manufacturing purposes. However, we reviewed the materials joining and forming literature as one process. Therefore, we consider materials joining and forming two separate industries under one literature review within this analysis. We will refer to them as the materials joining and forming industries; and will most commonly refer to them as “joining and forming.

Molding: A Summary of the Literature

The Center for Economic Development at the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University prepared this report for the Ohio Manufacturing Institute (OMI) at The Ohio State University. The objective of this study is to provide background analysis of the plastic and polymer molding industry for the OMI as they prepare a roadmap for the future and recommendations concerning this industry for the Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA). This report provides a literature review and summary of findings. Literature was collected and reviewed from various sources on the plastic and polymer molding industry. Academic articles, reports, and studies were collated and analyzed from databases, internet searches, and publications. The goal of this report is to provide a clear context of the state, national, and international conversation on the molding industry, as well as to delineate opportunities and challenges as it related to this technology. The focus of this report is on the plastic and polymer molding industry as well as its supply chain (both forwards and backwards)

Additive Manufacturing: A Summary of the Literature

The Center for Economic Development at the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University prepared this report for the Ohio Manufacturing Institute (OMI) at The Ohio State University. The objective of this study is to provide background analysis of additive manufacturing (AM) for the OMI as they prepare a roadmap for the future and recommendations on AM for the Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA).1 This report is a literature review and summary of findings. Literature on AM was collected from various sources. Academic articles, reports, and studies were collated and analyzed from databases, internet searches, and publications. The goal of this report is to provide a clear context of the state, national, and international conversation on AM, as well as delineate opportunities and challenges as it relates to this technology. It is important to note two major considerations in this literature review: the designation between AM and 3D printing, and overall technical specifications: (1) AM is known in the mainstream media as “3D printing,” but in actuality, this designation is a subset of the AM concept. On occasion, this report will single out 3D printing technology as a subset of AM. There is a vast amount of material on 3D printing because it is currently a popular subject for the media. At times, the literature refers to 3D printing separately from AM, and it is unknown to the authors of this report whether these different designations are deliberate. To avoid confusion, we use both concepts and report the labeling as the literature refers to it. This provides clarity for the reader. (2) There is a significant amount of technical information in the AM literature that is not covered in this report. This report is designed only to consider AM in the context of the overall conversation. No technical information, mathematics, or other technical concepts involved in the AM conversation will be covered

Harmonizing Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Transportation and Land-Use Planning in California Cities

Abstract: Recent extreme weather events in California—wildfires, drought, and flooding—make abundantly clear the need to plan effective responses to both the causes and the consequences of climate change. A central challenge for climate planning efforts has been identifying transportation and land-use (TLU) strategies that simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions (“mitigation”) and adapt communities so that they will be less affected by the adverse impacts of climate change (“adaptation”). Sets of policies that collectively address both mitigation and adaptation are known as “integrated actions.” This study explores municipal climate planning in California to determine whether cities incorporate integrated actions into their plans, assess the potential drivers of conflict between mitigation and adaptation in municipal plans, and identify ways the State of California can help cities more effectively incorporate integrated actions. The study methods consisted of a detailed analysis of climate planning documents from 23 California cities with particularly long histories of climate planning, plus interviews with 25 local, regional, and state officials who work on municipal climate planning. The authors found that some cities did adopt packages of integrated actions, and, promisingly, two cities with recently updated climate plans explicitly focused on the need for integrated actions. However, most cities addressed climate mitigation and adaptation in separate efforts, potentially reducing synergies between the two types of action and even creating conflicts. Since the first generation of climate action plans focused primarily on mitigation of greenhouse gases (GHGs), adaptation strategies have not yet been effectively or fully combined into mitigation plans in many cities. Also, a cross-comparison of plan content and interview data suggests that cities often had sets of policies that could potentially create conflicts—mitigation policies that would undermine adaptation capacity, and vice versa. In addition, where a city did adopt integrated actions, these efforts are typically not labeled as such, nor do the policies appear within the same policy document. The study findings suggest promising steps that both municipal and state governments can take to support integrated TLU actions at the local level. For example, cities can proactively link the content in climate mitigation and adaptation plans—a process that will require building the capacity for cross-collaboration between the various departments in charge of developing, implementing, and monitoring climate-related plans. As for the state government, it can provide funding specifically for planning and implementing integrated actions, offer technical support to help municipalities adopt programs and projects that produce integrated mitigation and adaptation benefits, and fund research in the area of integrated actions