One of the real problems with our aging transportation system is that it does a poor job of meeting the needs of many urban residents, especially those in underserved communities, including low-income minorities. A clean, modern and efficient transportation system can be designed to fill in the gaps and seams that exist today, expand affordability of fares and accessibility of routes, and provide options that don’t increase air pollution, worsen climate change, and pose hazards to public health. Modern walkable and bikeable communities with improved public transit and incentives for electric bus and vehicle (EV)[HB1] deployment will be a big step forward in urban areas.
Electrifying heavy trucks and other equipment at ports, airports, and truck depots can also reduce pollution in urban and surrounding neighborhoods, which are often low-income communities and communities of color. This also reduces fuel use and saves operators money.