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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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