Evaluating Benefits from Transportation Investments Aligned with the Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure (CAPTI)

Building upon two executive orders targeting the mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in California, the Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure (CAPTI) offers a comprehensive plan to work toward a more unified vision for transportation that prioritizes climate, health, and social equity. The purpose of this project was to help evaluate the benefits from transportation investments across the State of California. With support from Caltrans, the research team provided a holistic evaluation framework that involved an analysis of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and emissions impacts, an economic impact analysis, and an equity analysis of transportation investments in California. Findings indicate that CAPTI has generally had a positive impact on California communities by helping align transportation investments with the state’s climate and equity goals while continuing to generate significant economic activity through investments in transportation infrastructure. Decarbonizing transportation is an ambitious, yet achievable goal that requires a strong emphasis on alternative transportation modes to make transit and active transportation more accessible and appealing than driving. California should continue investing in transportation infrastructure in a manner that is equitable and significantly reduces VMT and emissions while creating quality jobs and positive economic impacts.