Students at the University of California, Los Angeles are using ride-hailing companies to get between classes on campuses. The effect is far from the congestion and emissions reducing idea many hoped for from companies like Uber and Lyft.
"UCLA students call about 11,000 Uber and Lyft rides that never leave campus every week," reports Manya Kidambi. The trip choice of the students "[raise] concerns about the environmental impact of unnecessary trips."
UCLA Transportation gathered the data to produce the startling findings. Yifang Zhu, associate director of the Center for Clean Air and a professor on campus, is quoted in the article saying that these short trips produce a large amount of carbon emissions.
CJ Macklin, a Lyft spokesperson, is also quoted in the article, saying the company offsets carbon emissions generated by trips with the company. Still, emissions result from drivers waiting to pick up riders or circling while waiting for a new trip.
FULL STORY: Popularity of brief Uber, Lyft rides on campus raises environmental concerns
Report: Ride-Hailing Drastically Increases Vehicle Miles Traveled
New research published in Transport Policy finds that ride-hailing companies increase vehicle miles traveled of users by 97 percent in Chicago, 114 percent in New York City, and 118 percent in San Francisco.
Ride-Hailing Companies Greatly Increase Pollution, Study Says
The reality of ride hailing has fallen well short of the wishful thinking about reduced congestion and reduced pollution that defined the early days of Uber and Lyft.
Ride-Hailing Fee on the Table in Los Angeles
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority will decide this week whether or not to proceed with separate studies of two ideas that would generate transportation funding from car trips and potentially influence driver behavior.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service