Presentation at the 2011 APTA Bus Conference on Transit's Role in Climate Change Management: Los Angeles County MTA's Experience

1. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metro
CostCostCostCost----Effective Greenhouse Gas Emissions ReductionEffective Greenhouse Gas Emissions ReductionEffective Greenhouse Gas Emissions ReductionEffective Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction
Strategies: LACMTA Case StudiesStrategies: LACMTA Case StudiesStrategies: LACMTA Case StudiesStrategies: LACMTA Case Studies
Cris B. Liban, D.Env., P.E.
Los Angeles County
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Los Angeles, CA
May 24, 2011

2. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metro
OUTLINEOUTLINEOUTLINEOUTLINE
• Regional Role in a Sustainable Los Angeles
• Reducing Regional Carbon Footprint
• Measure and Monitor Performance
• Achievements and Opportunities
• Continuous Leadership

3. Transit’s Potential Impact on GHG Emissions
GHG
Impacts of
Transit
Mode Shift
Congestion
Relief
Compact
Development
Transit

4. Who is the Los Angeles County Metropolitan
Transportation Authority (Metro)?
regional transportation
planner
regional builder
regional transit operator
Metro is the…..
for Los Angeles County.

5. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metro
Metro’s Role in a Sustainable Region
• Metro’s programs organically create a nexus
among various sustainable elements
• Forging partnerships and finding common-ground
solutions
• Ensures that our operations consider environment,
economy, and society

6. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metro
Partnering on Regional Strategy
Required by state law to develop
regional strategy and to implement
and achieve GHG reduction targets
Strategy Components:
Land-Use
Transportation Demand/Systems
Management
Transportation Investments
Pricing

7. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metro
7
Leveraging Transportation Investments
Long-Range Plan
Adds 80 miles of light rail
lines, doubling the
existing system with
possible connection to
High Speed Rail
Expands carpool lanes,
improves highway
systems management,
explores public-private
partnerships and pricing
America Fast Forward—
Builds 12 transit projects
in 10 years, rather than 30
OpportunitiesOpportunitiesOpportunitiesOpportunities
• Achieve GreenhouseAchieve GreenhouseAchieve GreenhouseAchieve Greenhouse
Gas Reduction GoalsGas Reduction GoalsGas Reduction GoalsGas Reduction Goals
• Reduce AutoReduce AutoReduce AutoReduce Auto----
DependencyDependencyDependencyDependency
• Meet Market DemandMeet Market DemandMeet Market DemandMeet Market Demand
for More Walkablefor More Walkablefor More Walkablefor More Walkable
CommunitiesCommunitiesCommunitiesCommunities
• Utilize and CatalyzeUtilize and CatalyzeUtilize and CatalyzeUtilize and Catalyze
TechnologicalTechnologicalTechnologicalTechnological
InnovationsInnovationsInnovationsInnovations

8. Fast-Track
Rail Projects
Red Line
Orange Line
Gold Line
Green Line
Gold Line
East Ext.
Purple Line
Blue Line
Expo I
Metro Existing and Planned
Fixed Guideways
-Expansion of Capacity
-Complements Bus System
-Strategic alignments
ORANGE LINE EXTENSION
BUSWAY

9. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metro
Creating Opportunities Around Transit
Joint Development
Program
Station Area Design
Corridor Partnerships

10. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metro
10
Metro’s Sustainability Approach
• Increase and expand our system through Measure
R while simultaneously finding ways to significantly
reduce our own carbon footprint
• Integrate sustainability principles in our Planning,
Construction, Operation, and Procurement efforts
• Use Environmental Management System principles
in our operations

11. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metro
Green Policies and Greenhouse Gas Reduction PlansGreen Policies and Greenhouse Gas Reduction PlansGreen Policies and Greenhouse Gas Reduction PlansGreen Policies and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plans
• POLICIES
– Energy and Sustainability Policy
– Environmental Policy
– Construction and Demolition Debris Recycling and Reuse Policy
– Environmental Liabilities Reporting Policy
– Water Conservation and Use Policy
– Renewable Energy Policy (under development)
– Green Construction Policy (under development)
• PLANS
– Water Action Plan
– Energy Conservation and Management Plan (forthcoming)
– Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (forthcoming)

12. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metro
12
• Emissions Reduction Initiatives
– Nation’s 1st and Largest Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
Fleet: >2,500 and growing
• 97% less priority pollutant emissions compared to
retired diesel buses
• 100% CNG Fleet as of February 2011
– Newer vehicle technologies are always considered
– Expansion of rail system that tap “Green” Power
– All system vehicles have multi-mobility capabilities
Clean Air and Climate Change Management

13. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metro
• LEED-NC Division 9 Transportation Building
• LEED-NC Division 3 Maintenance Annex
• LEED-EBOM Union Station Headquarters
• Potential LEED-EBOM for 17 campuses
• Solar Panel Installations and Energy Retrofits
– About 2 MW of installed at FOUR Divisions
– About 10,000 Metric Ton Yearly Carbon
Dioxide Emissions Reductions
Division 9
Building
213KW
Chatsworth Sun Valley Carson Downtown LA
213KW 1000KW417KW+ + +
Sustainable Infrastructure

14. Greener Operations- Sustainability
Management System
• Sustainability Management System would integrate and implement
Metro’s environment, safety, and quality best management practices
• Continuous improvement & positive impact on the environment, employees
& customers
• ISO 14001 certified Major Rail Maintenance Facility – First in the Nation
• Expansion into all Bus and Rail Facilities
PLAN
CHECK
DOACT
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metro

15. Sustainability Indicators As A Tool
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metro

16. Cost-Effectiveness as a Strategy
< $14 / ton
$ $300-900 / ton
$$ >$1000 / ton
Large GHG
Benefit (>
10,000
MtCO2e/year)
Ridesharing/Transit Programs for Employers
Transit Oriented Development
Vanpool Subsidy
On-board Railcar Energy Storage
Moderate
GHG Benefit
(1,000-10,000
MtCO2e/year)
45-foot Composite Buses
Facility Lighting Efficiency
$ Metro Employee Transit Subsidy
$$ Bicycle Paths along Transit Corridors
$$ Gasoline-Electric Hybrid Buses
$$ Wayside Energy Storage Substation
Small GHG
Benefit
(< 1,000
MtCO2e/year)
Red Line Tunnel Lighting Retrofit
Hybrid Non-Revenue Cars
Recycled Water for Bus Washing
Low Water Sanitary Fixtures
$ Solar Panels
$ Bike-to-Transit Commuter Incentives
$$ Hybrid Non-Revenue Light Trucks

17. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metro
Metro’s Recent Sustainability Successes
Reduced priority air pollution per vehicle mile by
more than 74% through the use of CNG buses
Increased our renewable energy portfolio by more
than 50% to one of transit’s largest in the nation,
currently about 2MW of renewable energy power
Began to reduce water use by a quarter of a million
gallons per day over five years
Partnership with local utility to use reclaimed
water in buswashes
About 44% of our generated waste are now recycled

18. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metro
Continuing Environmental Leadership
Partnerships with Federal, State,
local, non-profits and other 3rd Party
entities
Regional Education and Awareness
Green Construction Policy
Renewable Energy Policy
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan
Energy Conservation and
Management Plan

19. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metro
Questions
Cris B. Liban, D.Env., P.E.
p: 213/922-2471
e/m: libane@metro.net
For additional information:
www.metro.net/sustainability
213/922-1100