Process
Climate Challenge Goal
State departments of transportation (SDOTs) or other public sector stakeholders explore the use of LCA and EPDs as a standard practice to inform pavement material and design selection for enhancing sustainable pavement practices and quantify the emissions and impacts of those practices.
Climate Challenge Steps
Informational Phase:
On April 22, 2022, FHWA kicked off a series of outreach opportunities to educate stakeholders and explore challenges and needs related to the quantification of GHG emissions associated with the design, construction, and maintenance of pavements using LCA and EPDs.
Through the FHWA Climate Challenge, state departments of transportation (SDOTs) (including District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) may receive up to $500,000 in FHWA Technology and Innovation Deployment Program funds [23 USC 503(c)]. FHWA intends to make available to each SDOT submitting an eligible application at least $65,000 of federal funding. The federal share of Climate Challenge projects shall not exceed 80%. Funding identified for SDOTs that do not submit proposals will be distributed equally among participating Climate Challenge SDOTs not to exceed the amount requested in the SDOT’s application.
FHWA Climate Challenge funding is eligible for activities quantifying GHG emissions of pavements through the implementation of LCA and EPDs.
Examples of allowable activities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- develop and deliver training to facilitate use of LCA and EPD;
- develop or refine current standards and specifications to implement quantifiable sustainable pavements approach;
- implement FHWA LCA Pave Tool to conduct LCAs;
- collect EPDs on projects;
- prepare an implementation plan for reducing carbon emissions from pavements;
- use life cycle inventories from LCA Commons Database to conduct LCA on select projects;
- implement pilots for techniques, strategies, and materials that reduce GHG emissions;
- collaborate with industry and LCA Commons to fill data gaps; and
- conduct quality assessment of PCRs using the ACLCA PCR Guidance - Process and Methods Toolkit, May 2022.
To apply for FHWA Climate Challenge funding, SDOTs must submit a SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance and as appropriate, either a SF-424A Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs or SF-424C Budget Information for Construction Programs. These forms can be found at https://www.grants.gov/forms/sf-424-family.html. An eligible application is one that provides the information required in sections 8a, 8f, 9, 15, 17, and 18 of the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance. In section 15, eligible applications must include supporting documentation that outlines the following:
- project scope, including goals, objectives, deliverables, and outcomes;
- a project cost estimate commensurate with the project scope;
- a plan to collaborate with appropriate stakeholders such as:
- academia
- consultants
- contractors
- industry organizations (including EPD program operators, and material manufacturers); and
- any requests for FHWA technical assistance to support the project
Other public sector stakeholders are encouraged to work with SDOTs and will only be able to receive funding as subrecipients to a SDOT. Other Public sector stakeholders can also submit a SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance independently if they only seek to receive FHWA technical assistance. Technical Assistance in this context may include opportunities with FHWA such as training, specification reviews, peer exchanges, and demonstrations (e.g., LCA Pavel Tool Demo).
From July 1, through August 1, 2022, SDOTs and other public sector stakeholders submitted their respective applications as described above to FHWAClimateChallenge@dot.gov. FHWA met with all agencies submitting applications to discuss and refine projects. FHWA was not obligated to make any award as a result of the notice.
For more information on program funding and eligibility, please see FHWA Climate Challenge Fact Sheet.
Announce Participants:
The FHWA announced Challenge participants in August 2022.
Project Phase:
With technical and funding support provided by FHWA, participants will develop and carry out Climate Challenge projects according to submitted proposals. It is anticipated that collaboration with stakeholders will be critical to the implementation and success of the Climate Challenge projects. The Project Phase is expected to extend into 2024.
Showcase and Implementation Phase:
In 2024, FHWA will host peer exchanges and webinars and develop case study reports to share Climate Challenge projects lessons learned, outcomes, and next steps for further implementation. There may also be opportunities to showcase the progress of Challenge projects during the Project Phase.