Project 4:
Transportation Planning for Electric Vehicles and Associated Infrastructure

Objective

Identify and examine transportation infrastructure planning models and related policy issues associated with the deployment of Electric Vehicles (EVs). Provide recommendations for transportation planning and policy actions to enhance the accommodation of EVs and EVSE infrastructure. Develop infrastructure planning and deployment feasibility models.

Brief Description

This project identified and examined transportation infrastructure planning models and how they accommodate the deployment of Electric Vehicles (EVs). The initial focus of this work was to identify existing transportation planning models and associated agencies in Florida and the U.S. The assessment of transportation planning to accommodation EVs and Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE) was analyzed. The analysis considered cost of infrastructure development, economic feasibilities, land use and air quality benefits. Recommendations for planning and policy amendments to incorporate EVs and EVSE infrastructure will be provided.

Research Results

A significant contribution to planning is expected through the development of feasibility models for near-term and long-range EVSE infrastructure deployment. EV infrastructure planning feasibility models that utilize solar energy and/or energy storage as a complimentary power source will also be developed. The project will include an assessment of how transportation planning for EVSE infrastructure can support and enhance the growing acceptance of electric vehicles as a viable form of alternatively fueled transportation.

Major activities of this project have been the review of the literature on transportation planning, defining the scope of the project and discussions with potential project partners at the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at the University of South Florida.

The literature review and our discussions with potential project partners have confirmed that traditional transportation planning models provide insufficient accommodation to support the adoption of EVs and other alternatively fueled vehicles. There is also a real need to understand and include the economic cost and benefits of integrating EVs and other alternatively fueled vehicles in the transportation planning process.

The second major activity has been planning for and conducting of EVTC's second annual EV Transportation and Technology Summit and EV Market & Technology Workshop. The Summit focuses on the transportation planning and infrastructure requirements needed to support the adoption of many forms of electric vehicles. It also provided an update on the current state of EV deployment, technology, policy and planning. The Summit occurred over three days of meetings with key EV stakeholders at the Florida Solar Energy Center on October 17-20, 2016.

Impacts/Benefits

Transportation planning is a crucial element in the adoption of EVs and other alternatively fuel vehicles. Providing guidance for local governments and planning organizations in the integration of these vehicles will provide a wide range of social, economic and environmental benefits.

Reports

Block, D., Raissi, A., & Raustad, R. (2017). Transportation Planning for Electric Vehicles and Associated Infrastructure (FSEC Rep. No. FSEC-CR-2068-17). Cocoa, FL: Florida Solar Energy Center.