2. Goal: Clean Air
Protect and improve air quality by attaining federal standards, using smart growth land use planning, and supporting environmentally preferable travel alternatives.
b. Travel Indicators – Vehicle Miles Traveled
Source:
Our local transportation system is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions1 responsible for 34 percent of all CO2 emitted in Montgomery County – a higher percentage than average CO2 emissions nationwide. Since CO2 is largely responsible for climate change, reducing the total number of miles traveled by vehicles in the county 2 will help reduce our contribution to global warming and weather-related changes. Although car redesign will likely increase fuel economy, carbon dioxide emissions could grow by as much as 41 percent 3 due to an increased number of drivers.
Reducing VMT also can help improve air quality by reducing ground level ozone that can aggravate pulmonary disease and other health difficulties. Unhealthy air is expensive. Annual health costs of exposure to outdoor air pollutants are estimated at $40 billion to $50 billion, with an associated 50,000 premature deaths. 4
When people walk or bike to work, they contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Just four percent of commuters walking or biking to work means 640,000 fewer miles of traveled each year, the equivalent of taking 54 cars off the road. And removing cars from the road eases congestion.
According to the American Public Transportation Association 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline are saved each year by public transportation, by moving more people with the same amount of fuel. In fact, if one person in your house uses public transportation, it equals 16 fewer miles per day in a car, which is a significant decrease in CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as household expenses. 5
Public transportation provides mobility for people unable to drive, about 5 to 10 percent of our population. Public transit can be used by anyone who pays the fare, but some forms of service benefits some people over others. For example, commuter rail tends to benefit suburban residents, local bus service can meet the needs of urban residents, and special mobility services are available for people with special transportation needs.
2. Data for Vehicle Miles Traveled represents daily VMT per year from Montgomery County Planning Department Staff Draft of the Highway Mobility Report May 2008.
3. "Growing Cooler: The Evidence on Urban Development and Climate Change," published by the Urban Land Institute.
4. American Lung Association. Health Costs of Air Pollution. 1990
5. “Public Transportation and Petroleum Savings in the U.S.: Reducing Dependence on Oil,” , ICF International, January 2007
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