Transportation-related emissions are the largest contributor to community-wide emissions, accounting for 54% of total emissions. Reducing transportation emissions to achieve the City’s target will require investments in active transportation infrastructure, public transit coordination, transportation demand, and parking management programs that reduce single-occupancy vehicle travel, and investment in electric vehicle infrastructure. It also means prioritizing people, cyclists, micromobility, and transit modes over cars, guaranteeing these modes are safe, more convenient, and less costly to use, and creating a healthier and cleaner future.
Alameda will manage land use change to support greenhouse gas reduction targets by focusing development in location efficient places and creating complete neighborhoods and transit-oriented communities. The City will manage a transportation system that improves mobility for everyone and reduces the amount of driving by using roadway and parking pricing, combined with financial incentives and regulations, to help activate and manage demand for safe, attractive, multimodal infrastructure.
Foundational to meeting the City’s GHG reduction targets and generating co-benefits is to redesign the City’s streets around people rather than vehicles. Travel demand and parking management programs to shift travel mode from single occupancy vehicle trips will be accompanied by improvements to the active transportation system, which creates a safe, integrated, and seamless network that encourages people of all ages and abilities to conveniently travel throughout the city.
Transportation demand management (TDM) seeks to reduce single-occupancy vehicle (SOV) travel and shift trips to walking, biking, scootering, and transit. A key element of a comprehensive trip-reduction strategy for the CARP will be managing the parking supply (see T-4 for strategies to manage demand for existing parking supply). Strategies like TDM fees to fund transportation choices, parking maximums, unbundling, and shared parking reduce parking demand, minimize vehicle trips, optimize the use of the parking supply, and support walkable neighborhoods. Robust TDM programs represent some of the most important opportunities to reduce transportation-related emissions in Alameda.
Proactive parking and curb management in the public right-of-way reduces automobile congestion by reducing double-parking and circling for parking. Parking pricing can also influence traveler mode choice such that people who are able may choose more sustainable modes like carpool, bus, or active transportation. Strategies include paid parking, demand responsive parking pricing, and time limits, as well as color curb zones to facilitate loading, quick pick-ups, and disability access.
Robust regional and local transit service is critical to serving the needs of workers, residents, and visitors in Alameda. The city is served by the AC Transit, BART (via Fruitvale and Lake Meritt Stations in Oakland), and WETA.
To reduce the number of overall vehicle trips, investment in transit and shuttle service will be coordinated with complete street design improvements and amenity improvements at transit centers. Priority for transit on key streets, and strategies for coordination between transit agencies and other travel modes will improve connectivity and access for passengers using transit services.
State policy requires all light-duty vehicles sold in California to be zero emission vehicles (ZEV) starting in 2035 and in 2045 for mid and heavy-duty vehicles. Alameda will invest in expanding the network of charging infrastructure to promote the transition to zero-emission vehicles, incentivize ZEV purchases, and continue transitioning the City’s fleet to zero emission vehicles. Additionally, the City will support the adoption of scooters, e-bikes, neighborhood electric vehicles (i.e. e-golf carts), and similar electric micromobility.
Public Works Department