Moving Los Angeles: Short-Term Policy Options for Improving Transportation

Traffic congestion in Los Angeles is severe due to a high population density, a high level of per-capita vehicle miles traveled (VMT), and insufficient revenue from gas taxes to expand road capacity. The city should implement pricing strategies to manage peak-hour demand, improve transit and alternative modes of transportation, and enhance the efficiency of the road network by focusing on moving people rather than cars. These policies intersect with environmental concerns, economic factors, and urban planning, particularly in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, addressing transportation funding shortfalls, and managing land use. Specific recommendations include developing high occupancy/toll lanes, variable curb parking rates, enforcing parking cash-out laws, promoting ride-sharing, expanding bus rapid transit, and improving signal timing.