Two representatives of a committee charged with implementing reductions in VMT to meet California's SB 375 goals discuss the challenges.
"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
FULL STORY: Metro’s Leahy, Katz Grapple with SB 375-RTAC’s Process for Setting CARB’s VMT, Emission Targets

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

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”
Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.

Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden
Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.

German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence
Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie