Skip to Content
Streetsblog San Francisco home
Log In
Streetsblog.net

Video: Introducing VMT – Vehicle Miles Traveled

9:46 AM PST on January 24, 2019

The shift from LOS to VMT is one of the most important changes that will impact California's travel, development, health, air quality, and much more. It is unfortunately also one of the wonkiest changes - nearly impenetrable for folks who have not studied engineering and/or planning.

The good news is that there's a new video - created by Fehr & Peers - that explains VMT in a way that many elementary school students can understand.

For the uninitiated, LOS stands for Level of Service, an outdated, discredited, highly car-centric way of measuring how streets work. Historically California law required LOS studies to evaluate environmental impacts.

And VMT stands for Vehicle Miles Traveled, a newer better way of measuring how streets and projects work. Earlier this month, California law shifted to favor using VMT in many cases.

Hat tip to Investing in Place and Fehr & Peers.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog San Francisco

Weekend Roundup: Caltrain Electrification Update, Speed Cameras

...and help protect the car free space on Shelly Drive

September 22, 2023

Motorist Kills Pedestrian on Valencia

While distracted/inattentive driving was a primary factor, the non-intuitive and dangerous center-running design almost certainly contributed

September 21, 2023
See all posts