A comprehensive roadmap for the development of low/no emission vehicle infrastructure in the Portland Metro region

John MacArthur, Portland State University

Co-investigators:

  • Peter Murchie, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • George Beard, Portland State University

Summary:

The shift from combustion engines to low- and no-emission electric vehicles is underway and gaining momentum. During the last year, Oregon has become an active player in the electric vehicle arena, with a number of promising relationships and activities in the early stages of formalization. With additional thought, effort and strategy Oregon can seize the opportunity to become the national leader in the adoption and incorporation of new vehicle platforms and mobility strategies into the fabric of urban life and the built environment. Oregon is currently actively engaged in relationships with international automotive companies and local businesses and utilities interested in being part of the "Portland Experiment." This proposal seeks funding to support the creation of a comprehensive roadmap for the development of low/no emission vehicle infrastructure in the Portland Metro region. The roadmap will guide research, education, partnership initiatives, and community engagement activities at Portland State University (PSU) and the Portland Metro region. The project will build momentum on a number of efforts currently underway including the Governor's Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Working Group, Oregon Department of Transportation's Office of Innovative Partnerships & Alternative Funding activities, and local utility and international automotive industry interest in Portland and other national efforts through the U.S. Department of Transportation. This roadmap will truly have a multi-disciplinary, multi-partner, and multi-campus focus and outcomes. The roadmap will focus on developing a unifying strategy, plan, knowledge base for low and no-emission vehicles, alternative fuels infrastructure and other sustainable mobility innovations. The specific research objectives for this project are to: 
1)	Strengthening and broadening strategic partnerships that will provide financial and other continuing research, education, and community engagement opportunities in electric vehicle infrastructure.
2)	Develop a strategic roadmap for Portland to achieve a plug-in readiness in the next two years.
3)	Develop a comprehensive research agenda, to evaluate wide array of research and testing needs for the Region.
4)	Coordinate with national efforts through the Rocky Mountain Institute’s Project Get Ready, sharing knowledge with other participating Project Get Ready cities and other Oregon cities.

This project will be a joint effort between OTREC and the Hatfield School of Government through the National Policy Consensus Center's (NPCC) Oregon Solutions program and the Executive Leadership Institute. Methods include a thorough literature review (print and web); an inventory of state, local agencies and municipalities actions; interviews with key partners; and a consensus building initiative.  NPCC's Oregon Solutions program will use its expertise and experience in collaborative governance practices to provide the convening and facilitation system support to bring diverse stakeholders to the table to inform, develop and initiate the implementation of the roadmap.  Oregon Solutions staff will engage in information collection, interviews and other efforts to assess the interests and resources of the project partners, refine the vision, and design and support the collaborative convening for the project.  This includes developing agendas, products and materials and providing facilitation, note taking and post meeting follow up leading to a declaration of cooperation that will codify the individual and group commitments, roles and responsibilities for implementing the roadmap.

Project Details

Project Type:
Technology Transfer
Project Status:
Completed
End Date:
May 31,2012
UTC Grant Cycle:
OTREC 2010
UTC Funding:
$100,000

Downloadable Products