Case Study:

Sacramento, California

Conclusions

Overall Lessons

This case study illustrates both the advantages and limitations of applying a regional transportation-land use model. The level of effort involved in applying such a model is not inconsequential. At the same time, the results can provide important insights into the impacts of transportation policy on land use. The feedback of land use changes into travel, emissions, and other impacts may significantly affect these impacts compared to an assumption of static land use patterns.

The case study also illustrates the application of a typical travel demand model to an unusually broad range of policies. Some transit scenarios included the simulated effects of improved traveler information and demand-responsive suburban transit. "Roadway-oriented development" was analyzed in addition to transit-oriented development; HOV and HOT networks were combined with complementary policies to focus development around highway nodes. Pricing measures were also tested both individually and in combination with other actions. The pricing scenarios could represent policy decisions, but could also represent economic effects such as higher gasoline prices.

The results of the transportation and land use modeling described here, while interesting, are specific to the Sacramento area. Local results will depend upon a variety of factors such as development patterns, availability of land, and levels of roadway congestion and transit service. The study authors note, however, that some of their findings are consistent with results found in the literature. For example, other modeling and empirical studies in the U.S. have found that transit investment alone may provide relatively small reductions in VMT and emissions; impacts can be much more significant when combined with supportive land use policies and/or pricing measures.

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