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ODOT Climate Change

What Can You Do
Vehicles
 
Driving your own vehicle allows for certain freedoms that public transit and other alternative modes may not provide, however it is these light-weight passenger vehicles that contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change. There are some ways to make the use of your personal car much more efficient and thus more environmentally friendly. Below are tools to determine and track the fuel economy of your car, as well as resources on eco-driving and trip chaining to help save money on fuel and reduce your time spent in traffic.
 
Find your car's fuel economy 
 
Find your car's MPG
 
Eco-Driving Tips 

Electric Cars
electric charging vehicle
Charging Car
Electric cars and scooters provide an excellent and clean alternative to gasoline powered vehicles. Electric vehicles are energy efficient, environmentally friendly, provide performance benefits, and reduce dependence on foreign energy sources. Oregon is helping lead the way in electric vehicles and the supporting facilities (charging stations) to make the use of an electric vehicle much more convenient.
 
Oregon's Electric Vehicle Charging Network Program 
 
Portland General Electric (PGE) Electric Vehicles in Oregon
 
Oregon Electric Vehicle Association 

Public Transit
Public transit is an easy, convenient, cost saving and time saving way to get where you want to go, whether it is commuting to work, running errands, or heading downtown to meet friends.  By taking public transit you eliminate parking stress and fighting the traffic to get where you want to go. Additionally, public transit gives you the freedom to catch up on some reading or do some work on your commute.  
 
To find public transportation options in your area check out ODOT TripCheck 
 
Region 1: Portland Metro Area Public Transit 
Region 2: Salem Area Public Transit 
               Lane Transit District 
               Corvallis Transit System 
Region 3: Roseburg and the greater Roseburg Area Public Transit 
               Rogue Valley Transportation District 
Region 4: Cascades East Transit - serving Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Madras, LaPine,
               and Prineville
Region 5: Northeast Oregon Transit 

Carpooling and Vanpooling
 
Carpooling and vanpooling are a great way to cut drive alone costs, reduce carbon emissions, and have some great company on the ride into work! Monthly costs per rider in vanpools, including fuel, are $60 to $95 for a 30-mile roundtrip, compared to $266 a month to drive alone.[1] 
 
Find out how much you can save by carpooling:
 
 
Useful Carpool and Vanpool Sites:
Drive Less Connect
Valley Vanpool 
Cherriots Rideshare 

[1] http://www.carpoolmatchnw.org/vanpool.asp 

Biking and Walking
bike commuters
Bike Commuters
Biking is not only a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, but it also improves your health. In fact, by just riding for 3 hours a week, you can cut your risk of heart disease and stroke in half. Motorized vehicles are responsible for 70% of the carbon monoxide, 45% of the nitrogen dioxide, and 34% of the hydrocarbons people produce. Riding your bike eliminates all of this pollution.[1] 
 
GOVERNMENT AGENCY BIKE LINKS:
 
ODOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Program:
The ODOT Bicycle & Pedestrian Program provides direction for establishing pedestrian and bicycle facilities on state highways and provides support to local governments, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and private citizens, in planning, designing, and constructing pedestrian and bicycle facilities. ODOT Bike and Pedestrian Program 
 
Safe Routes to Schools:
Safe Routes to School programs encourage children grades K though 8 to walk and bike safely to school. Safe Routes to School proponents promote walking and biking for the health/wellness and physical activity benefits; potential to lower traffic congestion around schools; and the potential to increase air quality around schools. Safe Routes to School Program 
 
City of Portland Bicycle Program 
 
City of Vancouver Bicycle Program
 
HELPFUL OREGON BIKE LINKS:
Bike Transportation Alliance 
Ride Oregon 
League of American Bicyclists 
Willamette Pedestrian Coalition 

 

[1] http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/pdf/BTWW_Booklet.pdf

Alternative Fuels
biodiesel pump
Biodiesel Pump
Using vehicles that can accommodate alternative fuels is a great way to reduce your contribution of harmful emissions into the atmosphere.
The alternative fuel types available in Oregon include:
  • Biodiesel
  • Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
  • E85 Ethanol
  • Electric
  • Hydrogen
  • Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
  • Liquefied Propane Gas (LPG)
 
For more information on alternative fuels in Oregon 
 
Oregon Incentives and Laws related to alternative fuels and advanced vehicles 
 
Oregon Biofuel Renewable Fuel Standard 
 
 
 

Find an alternative fuel station near you
 
Alternative Fuel Prices 
 
Station Locator 

Other Useful Links
Drive Less Save More- The Drive Less Save More Campaign seeks to reduce single-person car trips by promoting travel options.  
Two important tools on the website of interest are:
 
DEQ Carbon Footprint Calculator- Find out your household contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and discover ways you can improve your carbon footprint. 
 
ODOT Employee Transportation Options - Read more about transportation options for commuting to work and for traveling to work-related meetings.