Traffic Signals OptimizationVital Statistics Offsets: 171,786 metric tons carbon dioxide
Equivalent to taking 34,220 cars off the road for a year Project Type: Transportation Efficiency Project Lifetime: 5 years Contract Signing Date: 2002 Location: Oregon Project Partners: Portland Office of Sustainable Development
Project Description The
Climate Trust has contracted to buy offsets from a City of Portland project
that will improve the timing of traffic signals. Over a five year period, the
Portland Office of Sustainable Development will work with the Portland Office
of Transportation, Washington County, and the Oregon Department of Transportation
to improve signal timing on seventeen major metropolitan area arterials. By
reducing idling and acceleration, emissions of carbon dioxide from gasoline
and diesel fuel will decrease.
How the project reduces CO2 This project helps reduce emissions from vehicles by reducing the amount of
time cars spend idling at and accelerating from traffic lights. Improved traffic
flow and reduced fuel waste from stop-and-go driving will lead to less carbon
dioxide released into the atmosphere.
This project allows for the traffic signal system operators to conduct studies
and take specific steps to optimize the flow of traffic on some of Portland’s
most congested thoroughfares. This project will also reduce emissions of other
tailpipe pollutants.
City program costs are covered through a pay-for-performance contract with The Climate Trust. After the signal timing has been completed, The Climate Trust pays Portland based upon the amount of carbon dioxide emissions that will be avoided. The City of Portland transfers ownership of the carbon dioxide offsets created by these reduced emissions to The Climate Trust.
Non-GHG Benefits
Commuters will save time traveling across town
Commuters will save on gasoline
Other vehicular air pollution will be reduced
Serves as a model for other traffic signal offset projects
Additionality Criteria: Why We’re Involved The Climate Trust’s funding for the traffic signal optimization was
critical as the previous government funding sources had been unavailable.
Partners
