Reduce vehicle miles traveled by prioritizing alternatives to single-occupancy vehicles

Reducing the need for single-occupancy and privately owned vehicles not only promotes health and cleaner air but also lessens the impact of cars on the environment. LA County voters have taken steps over the past decade to commit to public transit through the passage of Measures R and M.

Providing people with real alternatives to sitting alone in a car can improve the quality of life for everyone, not just those who have a car. Ride-hailing services, micromobility services like on-demand scooters, autonomous vehicles, and other innovations are dramatically changing the County’s transportation network. At the same time, the growing prevalence of telecommuting, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, is creating a trend of fewer commuting trips, alleviating rush-hour congestion. Still, after an initial decline, private passenger vehicle miles are quickly rebounding to pre-pandemic levels.

By proactively engaging with new transportation options and expanding transit through partnerships with LA Metro and Metrolink, among others, the County can increase the likelihood that people choose alternatives to private vehicles, and that these alternatives are equitably implemented.

The need to transition away from single-occupancy vehicles is further underscored by upcoming large-scale special events, like the World Cup and Olympic and Paralympic Games, which require coordinated investments in multimodal infrastructure, wayfinding, and crowd management to reduce congestion and maximize safety and accessibility. Shifting away from a car-dominated approach will also help free up land and infrastructure currently dedicated to automobiles. These spaces may instead be used for housing, public space, and other people-centered priorities.

To drive this transformation, LA County will lead by example, transitioning its own fleet to zero-emission vehicles while also working to accelerate change in more challenging areas, such as freight, rail, and off-road equipment. At the same time, we will embrace emerging technologies that reduce emissions and improve mobility options. Achieving a truly zero-emission transportation system means staying focused not only on vehicles but also on safety, accessibility, affordability, and equity, so that all communities benefit from cleaner air and greater opportunity.