Concord committee begins detailed review of Climate Action Plan transportation section, proposes rubric and stakeholder outreach

At its Oct. 28 meeting, the Town of Concord Climate Action Committee started a detailed review of Section 3 (mobility/transportation) of the Climate Action Plan and discussed how the advisory committee should track progress and hold stakeholders accountable.

Members noted the plan contains 24 sections and multiple priority actions that were unevenly implemented. The group discussed pilot ideas from 2020–21 (including a proposed local bus to connect town centers with train stations), barriers to reducing vehicle miles traveled and the need for improved bicycle infrastructure and safe routes for schools. Committee members also cited rapid increases in electric vehicle adoption (a 33% year‑over‑year increase was mentioned) but flagged remaining gaps such as chargers in multifamily housing.

Several members proposed creating a consistent rubric or scorecard (for example red/yellow/green or numeric scales) to assess each plan priority, collect data in a standardized way and report findings. Committee members suggested the sustainability roundtable and a consultant‑led stakeholder process would help update the plan and assign “custodians” responsible for implementation. The committee’s liaison noted the select board expects progress documentation but that the committee is advisory and should collaborate with the Transportation Advisory Committee, planning and other departments.

Next steps: committee members recommended dividing the plan into sections for homework assignments, drafting a rubric prior to deeper review, coordinating with TAC and preparing outreach to stakeholders and the sustainability roundtable.