Why more states are passing laws to help people drive less
Brookings | 2026-05-08 | energy
Topics: Climate, Energy
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English Summary
States across the Americas are recognizing that the traditional link between high Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and economic growth is fracturing, leading to a policy shift toward mitigation. Key evidence shows that excessive driving generates negative externalities, including increased pollution, higher maintenance costs, and unsustainable GHG emissions. Consequently, states are passing varied laws—ranging from project-level mandates (California) to statewide planning constraints (Colorado)—to force transportation planning to prioritize VMT reduction. The implication for policy is that future infrastructure investment must move beyond simply building more roads, instead requiring comprehensive, multimodal strategies that redirect funds toward public transit, cycling, and pedestrian infrastructure to achieve sustainable growth.
中文摘要
美洲各州已意識到，傳統上認為車輛行駛里程（VMT）與經濟增長之間存在關聯的模式正在瓦解，這引導了政策轉向減緩（mitigation）。關鍵證據顯示，過度的駕駛行為會產生負面外部性，包括增加污染、提高維護成本以及造成不可持續的溫室氣體（GHG）排放。因此，各州正在通過各種法規——範圍從項目層級的強制規定（如加州）到全州層級的規劃限制（如科羅拉多州）——來要求交通規劃必須將VMT的削減置於優先地位。政策上的啟示是，未來的基礎設施投資不能僅限於修建更多道路，而是必須採用全面的多模式策略，將資金重新導向公共交通、自行車道和行人基礎設施，以實現可持續增長。
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