From the Community of Practice: Impacts of VMT Reduction Strategies on Selected Areas and Groups

The Washington State Department of Transportation released a report [PDF] that examines impacts of VMT reduction strategies on selected groups and geographic areas.  As described in the report’s abstract:  “The State of Washington has established benchmarks for reducing vehicle miles travelled (VMT). The ambitious targets call for VMT reductions of 18 percent by the year 2020, 30 percent by the year 2035, and 50 percent by mid century. This report discusses estimates and examines impacts of VMT reduction strategies on selected groups and geographic areas mandated by state legislation.”  Reduction in VMT can be accomplished in three ways:  by shifting modes, increasing vehicle occupancy or traveling less (such as by telecommuting).  For the groups and areas examined, the report emphasizes that no single strategy will reduce VMT for each area or group. Rather, a variety of strategies—singly and in combination—at different levels of government and for different groups and individuals will be needed to reach the state’s VMT reduction benchmarks.