IMPROVED AIR QUALITY THROUGH TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM MANAGEMENT

Many cities must reduce total automotive emissions if they are to meet the national ambient air quality analyses in the Denver metropolitan area: first, an examination of implementation experience with six program measures in Denver's 1973 Transportation Control Plan and, second, a more in-depth examination of the potential role of parking management in reducing vehicle kilometers of travel (VKMT). Conclusions are that meaningful VKMT reductions are possible (in the order of 6-8 percent), that air quality measures are cost effective, that few real cost or administrative barriers exist to impede implementation, and that most measures are within the current authority of one of more agencies. These jurisdictions often overlap, and support action and institutional cooperation are therefore greatly needed. Successful implementation is impeded by political and institutional unwillingness to generate controversy or to go against vested interests that conflict with the agency's priorities. /Author/