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Comment 37 for Transportation Comments for the GHG Scoping Plan (sp-transport-ws) - 1st Workshop.


First Name: Eric
Last Name: Chase
Email Address: galoisgroupie@gmail.com
Affiliation:

Subject: Increased Emphasis on Transit
Comment:
Thank you for making this very convenient forum available for
public comment on the Draft Scoping Plan.

Transportation accounts for about 40% of greenhouse gas emissions
in California (here in the Bay Area, about 50%). In order to
reduce the contributions of transportation to greenhouse gas
emissions, it is critical that aggressive programs be implemented
that will reduce vehicle miles traveled. VMT in California is
projected to increase about 36% by the year 2020, about 49% by the
year 2025, and about 63% by the year 2030. (Source: Caltrans,
2008.)

While high speed rail should have its place on the list of
strategies used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, high-speed
rail is not a feasible option for most trips within a metropolitan
region, nor is it appropriate for travel within a single city. A
focus on high-speed rail at the extent of local transit means that
the Draft Scoping Plan does not capitalize on an opportunity to
reduce vehicle miles traveled within metropolitan regions.
Emissions reduction must be addressed on all levels of travel,
including local. Therefore, the list of emissions reduction
strategies must explicitly include metropolitan transit systems,
which appeared nowhere on the list. Ability of transit to reduce
VMT has apparently been severely underestimated, so it is critical
that current state budgetary drains on transit be turned around.
Federal, state, and local funding must be directed away from roads
and toward transit operation and expansion, both to minimize fare
hikes in light of rising fuel prices, and to provide additional
service that makes transit convenient for a greater number of
people. Tools include, but are obviously not limited to:

1. Conversion of existing traffic lanes to HOV lanes, and use of
HOV lanes to expand bus rapid transit service.
2. Recognition that LOS degradation in the short-term (e.g. in
connection with the conversion of a traffic lane into a transitway
or HOV lane) can be beneficial in the long-term, in that congestion
provides an incentive for solo drivers to pursue more responsible
transportation choices.
3. Implement pedestrian and bicycle programs that encourage
increased walking and biking: e.g. Construction of bicycle lane
networks. Provide incentives for local jurisdictions to implement
street design that maximizes safety of pedestrians and cyclists.
Facilitate easier use of bicycles in conjunction with transit
systems.
4. Implement congestion pricing to generate revenue that is
funneled directly into transit.
5. Pay-As-You-Drive: If all vehicle costs paid by motorists are
narrowly tailored to driving behavior, motorists will pay closer
attention to their driving patterns and will have incentive to
seek out opportunities to reduce their personal miles-traveled.
Insurance payments should be connected to behavior that is in the
sole control of the motorist (i.e. distance traveled), and other
fees connected with vehicle use should also be assessed according
to distance traveled. The extent to which payment amounts depend
on miles-traveled should be maximized, so that the motorists are
aware that the fees they pay are directly dependent on the extent
to which they use the vehicle.

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Date and Time Comment Was Submitted: 2008-07-31 08:08:24



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