Air Quality and Travel Behavior: Untying the Knot

Abstract

This paper examines the contribution made by transportation and land use measures (especially alternative work schedules, mode shift strategies, and growth management) to achieving the air pollution emission reduction targets of the 1991 Air Quality Management Plan in the Los Angeles Basin. Contrary to popular belief, the measures aimed at reducing vehicle miles traveled have only a modest impact on reducing air pollution. Technological solutions to the automobile emissions problem are much more important. Thus, more transit use, ridesharing, and telecommuting are not needed to achieve clean air objectives. This is an optimistic conclusion as radical changes in travel behavior are difficult to achieve.