Task 1. Conduct a review of literature, tools, and resources used for evaluating the effects of transportation investments on GHG emissions. Task 2. Develop a stakeholder outreach plan. The outreach should target practitioners and subject matter experts from state DOTs, MPOs, academic institutions, policy organizations, and other relevant organizations. The plan will detail the strategy for eliciting participant feedback on practices, limitations, and desired improvements on current models. The plan should also consider lessons learned from outreach efforts for earlier associated projects. Submit technical memorandum #1 including the results of Task 1 and the plan developed in Task 2. NCHRP approval of technical memorandum #1 is required before work on subsequent tasks may begin. Task 3. Administer and summarize the stakeholder outreach. Submit technical memorandum #2 summarizing the results of the stakeholder outreach. NCHRP approval of technical memorandum #2 is required before work on subsequent tasks may begin. Task 4. Examine the available validation and analysis of relevant GHG evaluation tools and methodologies, focusing on the capabilities and limitations of available resources. Task 5. Propose a method to achieve the research objective to be fully developed in Phase II. At minimum, the method will include: An appraisal of the current state of GHG emission analysis practices. An evaluation of capabilities and limitations of current practice. An evaluation of existing assumptions and prioritization of the most consequential gaps in current practices at the planning and pre-engineering stages, including the interdependencies of differing models and strategies. Suggested best practices for transparent validation of analytical models and tools. An annotated outline of a guide and roadmap to further advance the state of the practice.
