RAND Corp. Offers SoCal Short Term Congestion Fixes

Author Paul Sorensen details the findings of a recent RAND study recommending short term (i.e., within five years) fixes for rampant congestion in Southern California.

1 minute read

December 1, 2008, 8:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The article features an interview with one of the authors of the RAND study, Dr. Paul Sorensen:

"Angelenos also drive more than one would expect, given how dense the region is. As I mentioned, you tend to see that per-capita vehicle travel decreases as population density increases. But in fact Los Angeles stands as a significant outlier; we drive as much as people in much lower density regions like Atlanta, Houston, and Dallas. The combination of high regional population density and relatively high per capita travel makes for really severe traffic congestion."

"The city of Los Angeles has not done a strategic transportation plan for a number of years, but it is something on their agenda. We've received indications that our report and its recommendations are being given serious consideration as Los Angeles thinks about its strategic directions. Many of the recommendations we made, which five years ago might have seemed quite radical, are already being planned or developed by agencies here in Los Angeles."

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 in The Planning Report

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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

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