Land Conservation and VMT Reduction Analysis

 

Integrating VMT Mitigation for Sustainable Development and Conservation
November 5, 2024 • 1 minute read
Visual image of the Land Conservation & VMT Reduction Analysis document

Land Conservation and VMT Reduction Analysis

 

Integrating VMT Mitigation for Sustainable Development and Conservation
November 5, 2024 • 1 minute read

Policies targeted at reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) can be a powerful tool for advancing sustainable land development patterns. Our new white paper explores how VMT mitigation programs could protect biodiversity, preserve critical habitats, and support land conservation.

We recently worked with the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority (RCA) and The Nature Conservancy to explore how VMT credits could be leveraged to fund conservation efforts, aligning transportation and conservation goals. By converting high-VMT parcels into conservation areas and instead encouraging development in lower-VMT areas, this approach helps combat sprawl while achieving long-term environmental benefits.

Read the full white paper to learn more about this innovative strategy, and contact us to explore how it could apply to your projects.

share this article

Contributors

Chelsea Richer

Climate & Resilience Discipline Leader

AICP

Email Me

Mary Rose Fissinger

Senior Engineer/Planner

Email Me

headshot of Jeremiah LaRose

Jeremiah LaRose

Senior Associate

Email Me

Nata Kovalova

Engineer/Planner

Email Me

Explore More

Driving Less Starts with Building Differently

Driving Less Starts with Building Differently

How much can planning decisions actually reduce driving? Our latest research introduces a statistical model that links built environment choices—such as density, transit service, walkability, and land use mix—to vehicle miles traveled (VMT). The findings give planners and policymakers practical, evidence-based tools to evaluate scenarios, understand tradeoffs, and make more informed transportation and land use decisions.

Navigating VMT Under CEQA

Navigating VMT Under CEQA

VMT under CEQA continues to evolve as agencies, practitioners, and decision makers work through analysis methods, mitigation feasibility, and defensible evidence. Our new Q&A resource offers practical answers on vehicle miles traveled, SB 743, mitigation program design, implementation, administration, and legal and strategic considerations.

Demand Management Is Injury Prevention

Demand Management Is Injury Prevention

New research shows that reducing driving exposure may be one of the most powerful safety strategies available. The findings connect VMT, mode share, and travel time to fatality rates, reframing demand management as injury prevention.