In May of 2003, the Project H-21 research team began working on the extension project, Project H-21A. The 2-year extension project consisted of the following three tasks:

1. Incorporating the individual TravelMatters emissions calculator into a transit trip planning website,
2. Adding the capacity to calculate criteria pollutants in the TravelMatters transit planning calculator, and
3. Creating a youth-friendly online addendum to TravelMatters.

The overall objective of Projects H-21 and H-21A was to illuminate strategies for aiding in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. Projects H-21 and H-21A continue to increase public awareness of the impacts of travel behavior on global warming.

The outcome of Task 1 allows individuals who visit a transit agency website and ask for route information between two destinations to receive an estimate of the emissions generated by each travel option as compared with arriving at the same destination by car. The approach for achieving this goal would be to work closely with a transit agency to create a replicable module that could be integrated into the agency's website. A portion of the module would mimic the TravelMatters transit planning emissions calculator to enable tabulation of CO₂ emissions that would be saved from a trip taken by transit instead of by automobile.

Task 2 provided a useful tool to urban and transit planners seeking a quick and reliable resource for quantifying the amount of emissions from local transit vehicles. This technological expansion of Task 1 is particularly relevant, as the Clean Air Act mandates that many regions report on these specific emissions. The online calculator quantifies oxides of nitrogen (NO_X), sulfur dioxide (SO₂,), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter (PM_2.5). The enhanced site is an important tool for supporting local and state decision making about roadway development, fleet purchases, and improving pedestrian-friendly design.

Task 3 consisted of youth outreach. The task offered an important means for increasing the potential for consumer awareness of greenhouse gas emissions from individual transportation activities. The research team's approach for increasing awareness among youth was to offer continuous exposure to these issues by expanding the current TravelMatters website to include (1) online activities that demonstrate how individual choices impact the local environment and (2) further discussion on alternatives to driving and alternative fuels and technology. This expanded website will speak directly to youth, who have a greater propensity to explore alternative options for mobility, especially if they are not yet driving personal vehicles.

The structure of the extended youth site is a modification of the current template of the TravelMatters individual emissions calculator. Additional graphics and youth-specific questions guide youth through the site. There are engaging comprehension questions about climate change and transportation. Linking a youth component to the TravelMatters site helped to make transportation issues more relevant to young people and increased awareness about personal mobility options.

An effective place for using this tool is in the classroom. Therefore, a downloadable Activity Guide is also accessible via the youth portion of the site for educators wanting to use the TravelMatters site as a resource tool in science curricula.

Status: The project is completed.

Product Availability: TCRP Report 93 presents the findings of Project H-21. The TravelMatters website also presents the findings of Project H-21, but it includes two online calculators that track greenhouse gas emissions for individuals or transit fleets and a series of geographic information system maps illustrating the correlations between land use, auto use, and carbon dioxide emissions. TCRP Web-Only Document 26 presents the findings of Project H-21A and includes teaching materials.