Transportation Planning to Improve Air Quality and Address Climate Change
Supporting Sustainable and Equitable Transportation
Vehicle emissions account for a substantial amount of Houston’s health-harming air pollution, and the lack of transportation options worsens air quality and perpetuates environmental injustice. These emissions are also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.
What we’re doing
We focus on building broad public support for an equitable multi-modal transportation system that promotes alternative transportation modes, reduces vehicle miles traveled, increases fleet electrification, and ensures everyone can get where they need to go.
Multi-modal transportation research and initiatives
We conduct research and support plans and initiatives to improve multi-modal transportation options both within the city and in the wider Houston region. These include the Houston Bike Plan, Houston’s METRO bus and light rail system, H-GAC’s High Capacity Transit Task Force, and Houston BCycle. In addition to supporting individual projects, we advocate for structural funding redistributions and project reprioritization at the local, regional, and state level to better support an accessible, sustainable transportation infrastructure system.
Electrification
We research and advocate for electrification projects to encourage a transition from fossil fuels to renewable electric power. In 2019, we contributed to the drafting of the City’s EVolve Houston electrification roadmap. We continue to partner with the participating organizations to advance the goals and strategies outlined to extensively electrify fleets in the region and encourage studies on the infrastructure needs for mass adaptation of electric vehicles.
Local and regional climate action planning
We work with the City of Houston on its first-ever Climate Action Plan (CAP). After co-leading the transportation working group for the CAP, we now continue to collaborate with local leaders and community organizations to ensure equitable implementation influenced by the needs and opinions of community stakeholders. We are also keeping an eye on Harris County to ensure their Climate Justice and Action Plan will move forward equitably. In addition, we are working with diverse partners to create new frameworks, legislative agendas, and plans for addressing the intersections of air quality, climate, equity, and energy.
Learn more
AAH Public Comments: Comments to the H-GAC on the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)
AAH Public Comments: Inner Katy METRORapid Project
AAH’s supporting testimony on HJR 109 to the Transportation Committee during the 87th Texas Legislative Session, Apr. 20, 2021 (written) | Watch the live recording
Air Alliance Houston joins in a letter to Governor Abbott asking for funding for electric buses
Report makes case for more transit despite fewer people riding Metro in Houston
Houston Chronicle, October 7
Essential workers in Houston relied on public transit during the pandemic, a new report says
Houston Public Media, October 6
Car-centric Houston takes first steps toward becoming more ‘walkable’ with new development rules
Houston Chronicle, August 5, 2020
Without fanfare, Houston unveils Climate Action Plan, shooting for carbon neutrality by 2050
Houston Chronicle, April 22, 2020
Houston unveils first draft of city climate action plan
Houston Chronicle, July 25, 2020
Recent Posts
HISD School Board Run-Off — Election Day: December 11
[email protected]2021-12-09T15:24:50-06:00December 9th, 2021|News|
HISD School Board Run-Off — Election Day: December 11
[email protected]2021-11-14T20:30:12-06:00November 10th, 2021|News|
Our Campaigns
- I-45 Expansion: Health Impact Assessment and Community Organizingairalliancehou2022-04-20T16:15:03-05:00
- Transportation Planning to Improve Air Quality and Address Climate Changeairalliancehou2022-02-04T14:00:12-06:00