Reductions in Vehicle Miles Traveled a Slow, Difficult Process

Two representatives of a committee charged with implementing reductions in VMT to meet California's SB 375 goals discuss the challenges.

2 minute read

June 7, 2009, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"Richard Katz: There is an interesting division on the RTAC between people who believe that if we spend months creating the perfect model, then by definition we'll have a perfect outcome, and other folks who believe that a model is a tool, that it's not the end all and be all, and that a model is only as good as what you put in it. Frankly, some of us feel that we are spending too much time trying to design a table as opposed to figuring out what the goal is or what the policy is. That, in essence, is going to be an argument that will be taking place at the RTAC over the next several meetings as we try to reach consensus...

...If you choose a start date of today-as opposed to 1990, which was the start date or baseline for AB 32-then you ignore people who have done a lot of work or made a lot of progress. Many cities have gone ahead and done programs already. They are ahead of the curve on sustainability. If, all of the sudden the baseline is today, their low-hanging fruit is gone. Other areas that didn't do anything-and in fact exacerbated the problem by not doing anything-get the benefit of going after that low-hanging fruit while early adopters have to deal with more complicated, difficult, or expensive things. That is something we need to find a way to delve into."

Thanks to James Brasuell

Friday, May 29, 2009 in The Planning Report

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business