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Strategies and Actions Transportation and Land Use What Are We Talking About? In California, 41 percent of total GHG emissions stem from transportation. The vast majority of transportation emissions are from on -road vehicles, the cars and trucks that move people and goods through the state. In 2005, 51 percent of emissions in Redwood City came from transportation sector. By 2015, it was up to 54 percent. That same year, travel on local roads and state highways represented 17 percent and 29 percent of the City's total emissions respectively. Thus, reducing transportation emissions is a critical component of the climate action strategy. Carbon Intensity of Fuels, Vehicle Efficiency, and Vehicle Miles Travelled Reducing emissions from the transportation sector requires addressing three constituent components: 1) reducing the carbon intensity of fuels, 2) increasing vehicle efficiency, and 3) reducing vehicle miles travelled (VMT). The two main fuels, gasoline and diesel, used to power vehicles across the state, have a very high carbon intensity. Transitioning to lower carbon intensity fuels, especially electricity, is key to reducing emissions in the transportation sector. Similar to electrification of fossil fuel equipment in buildings, as the electricity grid continues to rely more heavily on renewable energy sources for electricity generation, the emissions reduction potential of replacing gasoline and diesel vehicles with electric vehicles continues to increase. The Challenges of Reducing VMT and Associated Co -benefits Fully understanding the factors that lead to increased VMT is challenging, but the contributors include the following: economic growth, lack of affordable housing near urban cores, urban sprawl, lack of viable public transportation options, cheap gasoline, and streets that discourage pedestrian or bicycle access. The benefits of integrated planning and sustainable development go far beyond simply reducing the GHG emissions that contribute to climate change and its damaging effects. Communities that are well designed provide housing options for all income and age groups and enable community members to use a range of transportation options that reduce congestion, improve air quality, and increase economic development. How Are We Doing? As of 2019, electric vehicles made up 7.8 percent of total new car sales in California.48 Efficiency of gasoline and diesel vehicles, in terms of miles per gallon (MPG), continues to increase. For model year 2017, the average fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the United States reached 24.9 MPG — a record high .41 However, addressing the third component, reducing VMT, is considerably more difficult than the previous two. Californians have driven more and more miles per year over the past five decades. What Are We Trying to Achieve? T.1 Reduce vehicle miles traveled T.2 Increase housing in transit corridors T.3 Increase walkability and bikeability TA Decarbonize transportation City of Redwood City Climate Action Plan 15% reduction compared to 2005 20% increase in housing communitywide Improve streetscape and protected bike lanes One-third of VMT from electric vehicles