Ohio Code § 5501.031

§ 5501.031.

The department of transportation shall: (A) Consider energy conservation as an integral factor along with economics, engineering,

safety, and the environment in the planning, design, and utilization of transportation

facilities; (B) Reevaluate existing plans for highways and other transportation modes and require

regional transportation studies and local planning agencies operating under state

coordination or with state funds to cooperate in such reevaluation.  Such reevaluation shall consider shifts to energy conservation modes and improvement

in modal energy efficiencies, and shall include both technological alternatives and

administrative or management strategies.  Short-term conservation measures must be adaptable to long-term conservation requirements

to include permanent reductions in gasoline usage and revitalization of railroads. (C) Take all necessary steps to increase the level of awareness of transportation professions

and related government sectors of those techniques that are immediately available

to reduce petroleum consumption in improving operation and maintenance of transportation

facilities; (D) Review construction specifications and design standards for highway construction

and maintenance, with a view to pursuing the elimination of those found to be unnecessary

and wasteful of energy; (E) Submit recommendations to the department of development and to the general assembly,

designed to reduce the energy intensive nature of the existing transportation system,

control the growth of gasoline demand, and support other efforts to conserve energy; (F) In cooperation with the department of development, encourage and promote the establishment

of carpool and vanpool programs including preferential parking for vehicles used in

carpools or vanpools.  The department of transportation shall also study the feasibility of preferential

traffic control for public transportation vehicles and variable working hours as additional

conservation measures. The department shall undertake to utilize to the fullest extent funds made available

under federal or state programs for the development of park-and-ride lots to serve

carpools and vanpools and encourage the use of public transportation facilities.  Potential locations and funds for park-and-ride lots shall be identified in at least

one location in each standard metropolitan statistical area in the state.  These locations shall be reported to the department of development.