Project Summary
California has set ambitious goals for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. To meet these goals, the state must achieve a 15 percent reduction in total travel by light-duty vehicles by 2050 compared to expected levels.1,2 Under current state policies, reductions of this magnitude are unlikely. Strong evidence exists that strategies across four categories – pricing, infill development, transportation investments, and travel demand management programs – can reduce vehicle miles of travel (VMT).3 The state can directly implement some of these strategies, particularly pricing strategies, through state-level policies. Others depend on actions by regional and local governments, though state-level policies can encourage their implementation through incentives, requirements, or other mechanisms.
