Research Program Area: Climate Change
Topic Areas: Greenhouse Gas Control, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Sustainable Communities
Research Summary:
A key element of the state's effort to reduce GHG emissions from transportation is the requirement that MPOs adopt sustainable community strategies (SCSs) that demonstrate how the regions will reduce GHG emissions from autos and light trucks. However, the adoption of SCSs does not guarantee the adoption of policy and programming changes at the local level, nor on-the-ground changes in development that would produce a reduction in VMT and associated GHGs. The goal of this project is to assess the degree to which on-the-ground changes in selected communities have produced reductions in VMT. A secondary aim is to examine the degree to which local and/or regional policy change brought about the observed on-the-ground changes. This project will complete a minimum of three case studies of local communities that have experienced substantial changes in the transportation system and/or land development patterns to assess the change in VMT that has resulted; the forces contributing to transportation and land use changes, including local and/or regional policy changes, will also be examined. These case studies may provide examples of best practices to achieve SCS goals as well as insights on barriers to successful SCS implementation.
For questions regarding this research project, including available data and progress status, contact: Research Division staff at (916) 445-0753
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