According to the General Plan Framework, "Between 1990 and the year 2010, population in Los Angeles is expected to grow by 24 percent, housing by 20 percent, employment by 20 percent. This growth, combined with regional growth outside of Los Angeles, will result in an estimated 35 percent increase in vehicle travel, which in turn could cause average travel speeds on the regional highway network to drop by as much as 50 percent..."
Supporting alternatives to the automobile. The big picture plan is that the City's transportation system will continue to move away from reliance on cars and towards more transportation choices for more people. Although we think of Los Angeles as a suburban place where you can't get by without a car, there are a growing number of neighborhoods that have frequent and reliable public transportation.
Building neighborhoods that support public transit. By building housing in walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods with good public transit, we can create environments where it is convenient for people to use their cars less. A 1990 survey by the Sierra Cub's Transportation Committee found that for every doubling of neighborhood density, vehicle miles traveled are reduced by 20 to 30 percent. The shift means alternatives to driving are given a higher priority in planning our city, which translates into less emphasis on cars. Another positive benefit is that small, neighborhood-serving businesses can grow and flourish when there are more customers living in the area.
