Transportation and land use patterns are tightly coupled. Building new roads can lead to sprawl which leads to more development farther from urban centers. Through transit-oriented development policy, development can be channeled to urban centers. As urban centers become more densely populated, transit, walking, and biking become more attractive and can successfully displace auto travel. Conversely, lower population density leads to an overall per capita increase in personal automobile use.

A Sonoma County study showed that the further residents live from city centers, the more driving they do. In contrast, the City of Portland, Oregon, has demonstrated that aggressive management of land use and transportation can lead to success in reducing a community’s greenhouse gas emissions from personal auto use.

Transportation in Sonoma County is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for about 59 percent of total emissions in 2007. Nearly four out of five trips made in Sonoma County are by single occupant, fossil fuel powered automobiles. Approximately $850 million leaves the County per year as payment for the fossil fuel that powers our vehicles.

Real-Time Ridesharing Pilot

We are currently rolling out a new service to allow networked groups of drivers and riders to share a ride in a matter of minutes using computers and smartphones. Participants are helping establish a functioning community of riders and drivers, with the goal of building a sustainable marketplace for empty seats, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions while saving on gasoline costs and reducing congestion.

This pilot is being implemented in Sonoma, Marin and Contra Costa counties through funds from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission‚ Climate Initiative Program. The Climate Protection Campaign works with the Sonoma County Transportation Authority, the lead agency, to implement this project.

You can read more on our real-time ridesharing page and sign up for our update list below: