While Congress is eager to increase fuel economy standards to lower petroleum consumption, ill-planned regulations could do more harm than good, says a senior researcher at RAND.
"Congress forced a doubling of passenger car fuel economy from 1974-85, but, according to the National Academy of Sciences, the fuel savings came at a big price: about 2,000 additional traffic deaths per year as cars were downsized, making them less able to protect occupants in collisions. And the rules did little to stimulate the creation of new engines and fuels."
"While Congress should set a strong oil-savings goal, inserting a specific mileage figure in legislation could cause problems. A combination of congestion pricing in cities, alternate fuels, and tougher mileage rules may do more to save oil than relying only on mileage rules. Congress should give the executive the discretion to find the right mix."
"Congress can make a constructive contribution by:
--Requiring that by the end of 2008, regulators set mileage standards for all passenger vehicles through 2015.
--Authorizing regulators to use size-based standards for cars, as they did for light trucks. This encourages new technology rather than downsizing.
--Requiring that mileage rules be set based on benefit-cost calculations, with no special treatment for manufacturers facing financial problems.
--Extending tax credits for fuel-efficient vehicles (such as clean diesels and hybrids), thereby ensuring that consumers remain interested in fuel economy even if fuel prices decline or remain flat."
FULL STORY: Steer a smarter course than specific mileage goals
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
