TRANSPORTATION ENERGY CONSERVATIN POLICIES

This exploration of the extent to which certain significant forces (the oil embargo, gasoline and automobile prices, federal mass transit programs and funds) will operate on traditional forms of personal travel and land use, examines the period 1950 to 1972, reviews the relative energy efficiencies of different urban and intercity passenger systems, discusses several policies for reducing transportation fuel use, and compares the energy savings likely with each of these policies in 1980 and 1985. Four policies are discussed: improving mass transit, increasing carpooling, raising gasoline prices, and improving new car fuel economy standards. It is pointed out that although the short term energy conservation potential of increased mass transit is slight, it should not be abandoned; changes in urban travel patterns require about a decade. Studies have shown that parking incentives for car pools and major increases in parking costs substantially reduce the amount of solo driving and increase both carpooling and mass transit use. It is also shown that the major response to higher gasoline prices is an increase in new car fuel economy rather than a decline in auto travel. Gasoline savings due to improvements in new car fuel economy are substantial and even higher than those due to the 20 percent gasoline price increase. The studies suggest that in the next decade, attention should be focused on technological means to reduce transportation fuel use.