Recent itsdavis items

Design Recommendations for Phase 3 of Mexico’s CO₂ Standard for Light-duty Vehicles (NOM 163)

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Design Recommendations for Phase 3 of Mexico’s CO₂ Standard for Light-duty Vehicles (NOM 163)

Designing Mexico’s NOM-163 Phase 3 to Achieve National Emission Goals: Remove Technology Credits, Phase-out Multipliers, and Lower Manufacturer’s CO₂-Emission Targets

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Designing Mexico’s NOM-163 Phase 3 to Achieve National Emission Goals: Remove Technology Credits, Phase-out Multipliers, and Lower Manufacturer’s CO₂-Emission Targets

Understanding Electric Vehicle Purchase Decisions in the United States: A Qualitative Study

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This research brief explores factors influencing consumers decision to buy an electric vehicle (EV). The brief also explores what areas of the EV ecosystem EV owners think need improvement. Results come from interviews conducted with EV owners across the US. Following the interviews transcripts were thematically coded to extract common themes. Overall, we find consumers decisions to purchase an EV are influenced by functional or economic factors, such as refueling cost or purchase price. Emotional factors in the form of environmentalism played a role, but less so than previous studies. Desired improvements to EVs were mostly related to charging infrastructure, including improvements to infrastructure availability, charging speed, reliability, and other issues. Improvements to driving range were also desired.

Further Development Toward Implementation of Likely Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs)

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Samples from various material groups including biomass ashes, biochars, natural pozzolans, and construction and demolition waste (C&DW) were evaluated as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) for concrete. C&DW included rock dust (baghouse fines) from asphalt plants, rock dust from aggregate quarries, recycled concrete aggregate fines, crushed concrete aggregate fines, and concrete wash pond sludge. Characterization covered chemical and physical properties. Cementitious reactivity (pozzolanic or latent hydraulic) was measured based on ASTM C1897. Materials identified as pozzolanic reactive with equivalent total alkalis >5% or equivalent available alkalis >1.5% were further assessed for alkali-silica reactivity (ASR) by ASTM C1567 using a standard mortar with highly reactive sand and 20% cement replacement by each SCM. For SCMs that mitigated ASR expansion but did not meet Caltrans’s 0.1% limit, testing was repeated at replacement levels >20% when possible.

A...

Exploring the Integration of Induced Travel into Cal-B/C

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In 2020, pursuant to Senate Bill (SB) 743 (2013), the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) adopted guidance requiring that the induced travel effects of capacity expansion projects on the State Highway System be analyzed as a part of the environmental review process under the California Environmental Quality Act. However, despite the fact that induced travel also has economic effects, most conventional benefit-cost analysis tools do not account for induced travel, at least not fully. In this study, the authors examined how induced travel is and can be incorporated into the California Life-Cycle Cost/Benefit Analysis Model (Cal-B/C) maintained by Caltrans. They found that induced travel is not calculated automatically within Cal-B/C. Instead, induced travel must be incorporated manually by the analyst by adjusting the average daily trips on the project information sheet. This can produce wildly divergent benefit/cost ratio outputs depending on whether and...

The Missing Piece in India’s Two-Wheeler Transition: Electrifying Motorcycles

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Missing Piece in India’s Two-Wheeler Transition: Electrifying Motorcycles

Personalized Coordinated Routing with Utility Learning

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Current navigation applications estimate travel times based on current traffic conditions, without considering upcoming travel demand. A potential solution to this problem is a central coordination system that collects global travel demand information, enabling more accurate traffic projections. Monetary incentives or charges can be used to encourage drivers to follow assigned routes that contribute toward a system optimum, which represents the most efficient traffic state for the transportation network. The challenge in determining incentives lies in the heterogeneity of drivers, as each has different preferences. Traditionally, surveys have been used to estimate drivers’ routing preferences, but these suffer from respondent inconsistency and changing driver preferences. This research proposes a utility learning mechanism. Instead of relying on static survey data, the system periodically updates its understanding of drivers’ preferences by observing their route choices over...

Increasing Access to Zero-Emissions Vehicles at Dealerships Could Increase Adoption and Improve Equity Outcomes

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

California has set a target of achieving 100% zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales by 2035. While the state has made substantial progress, with ZEVs accounting for roughly 25% of new vehicle sales in 2025, adoption remains uneven across communities. Disadvantaged communities (DACs), which face disproportionate exposure to air pollution, continue to lag in ZEV uptake. Most DAC-related policy efforts to date have focused on demand-side interventions, such as consumer purchase incentives, rather than supply-side approaches that increase vehicle availability. Because more than half of ZEV sales in California occur through franchised dealerships, they are a critical gateway through which consumers access these vehicles and may represent an important leverage point for increasing adoption.

Pathway to a Comeback: Student Transit Passes Can Drive Ridership and Equity in Post-Pandemic California

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates free and reduced fare pass programs (FRFPs) for K-12, post-secondary, and college students across California since the COVID-19 pandemic and their role in ridership recovery. A survey of 67 transit agencies, including 34 with established FRFPs, indicates that most of them maintained their FRFPs between fiscal years 2018-2019 and 2022-2023, showcasing agencies' resilience despite financial uncertainty. LA Metro's GoPass enrolled over 241,000 students and generated 1.2 million monthly boardings, inspiring similar initiatives. Post-pandemic, K-12 FRFPs saw significant expansion, improved funding, and a surge in ridership across participating agencies. These findings underscore the positive influence of fare-based incentives on student mobility and attendance.

Balanced Mix Design Rut Test Validation Test Track: Construction of HMA Sections

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This technical memorandum describes the design and construction of a full-scale test track and the construction quality control/quality assurance testing of the different materials, including subgrade, aggregate base, and asphalt mixes. Construction of the test track and the Heavy Vehicle Simulator (HVS) and laboratory testing that followed are part of the Caltrans balanced mix design (BMD) implementation effort led by the Pavement and Materials Partnering Committee (PMPC) BMD Working Group. The main goal of the test track evaluation was to compare the rutting performance of surface mixes under the HVS with laboratory rutting test results. A secondary goal was to compare the reflective cracking performance of the same mixes with laboratory cracking test results. The test track includes four lanes, each 177 ft. long, and each with a variation of a control hot mix asphalt (HMA) surface mix, with two sections in each lane for evaluation of either rutting or reflective cracking performance....

An Estimate of Revenue Requirements to Support California’sMedium and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Deployment Targets

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The California medium- and heavy-duty zero emission vehicle (ZEV) market is poised for growth despite challenges to regulatory authority at the federal level. To ensure market momentum, long-term funding certainty is needed for the medium- and heavy-duty ZEV incentive program, called HVIP. In 2024, the CARB board voted to redirect the Clean Fuel Reward (CFR) program from light-duty ZEVs to medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission truck (ZET) incentives. While this provides a foundation for revenue for ZET incentives, ITS-Davis analysis finds that it will likely fall far short of long-term HVIP revenue needs. We estimate the total HVIP funding gap (including both ZETs and ZEBs) after CFR revenues are considered for the 9-year period from 2027-2035 to be between $4.2 billion and $26 billion, with a mid-case scenario funding gap of $8.5 billion. The wide range is due to uncertainties in ZEV market growth rates and CFR revenues. The funding gap necessitates new approaches to address,...

Sales credit trading mechanism to accelerate markets for zero emission trucks in India

Thu, 9 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Sales credit trading mechanism to accelerate markets for zero emission trucks in India

Modeling Traffic Noise and Light on Natural Landscapes at the State Scale

Thu, 9 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Anthropogenic noise and light have been shown to impact wildlife behavior, distribution, movement, and population fitness and survival. Traffic noise and light can inhibit wildlife use of areas adjacent to roads, impair wildlife perception of traffic risks, and cause a barrier effect to wildlife occurrence and movement well beyond road edges. A critical action being taken by states to repair wildlife movement across roadways is construction of wildlife crossings, theoretically providing a safe passage across roads. Planning the location of theses crossings and to some degree their design currently does not take into account traffic noise and light impacts on wildlife approaching the structures. The authors developed statewide models of traffic noise and light intrusion into areas adjacent to state highways to aid understanding of wildlife responses to noise and light and to aid locating and designing crossings to maximize wildlife approach and use. These models have the added...

Assessing the Role of Dealerships in Expanding Equitable Access to Zero-Emission Vehicles in California

Mon, 6 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines the relationship between levels of access to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) at car dealerships in California and rates of ZEV adoption in surrounding areas. ZEV accessibility scores for census tracts—based on available ZEV inventory and proximity to dealerships—correlated significantly with ZEV adoption rates, even after controlling for income, demographics, charging infrastructure, and consumer incentives. Our results suggest that a 1% increase in ZEV accessibility correlated with an increase in ZEV adoption by 0.73% in disadvantaged communities (DACs) versus 0.125% in non-DACs. This indicates a latent demand in DACs constrained by supply-side barriers. Dealership-based incentives positively correlated with local ZEV adoption. Policies that support equitable inventory distribution among dealerships, expanded dealership-based incentive programs, and coordination with charging infrastructure planning may increase ZEV adoption in DACs.

The Revival of Cargo E-Bikes in the United States: Challenges and Recommendations

Wed, 1 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Cargo e-bikes are emerging as a promising solution for sustainable urban freight delivery, offering advantages over conventional van-based systems in emissions reduction, congestion mitigation, and operational flexibility. This white paper examines the current state of cargo e-bike deployment in the United States, identifies key barriers to adoption, and provides evidence-based recommendations for policymakers and urban planners. Despite a rapidly growing global market—with projected annual growth of 11–15% through 2034—cargo e-bike deployment faces three interconnected challenges: infrastructure gaps (microhub locations, bicycle network coverage, and parking); regulatory inconsistenciesacross jurisdictions regarding vehicle specifications and permitted infrastructure use; and operational challenges including higher upfront costs and battery-related concerns. To overcome these barriers, this report recommends that cities establish microhub networks, expand bicycle infrastructure,...

Generalized Tools for Evaluating Active Transportation Projects Show Promise—But Project Level Estimates Need Other Support

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Cities and regions are increasingly investing in walking and bicycling infrastructure, driven by well-documented health, social, and environmental benefits of active transportation. However, most agencies lack practical tools to accurately assess whether these investments are achieving their intended outcomes. Accurately measuring change in walking and bicycling attributable to investments like new bike lanes or sidewalks is difficult and involves resources and expertise that is generally not feasible or financially sustainable for mode agencies.

2025 Condition Survey of High RAP Pilot Projects on El Dorado 49, San Bernardino 215, and San Joaquin 26

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Three pilot projects were constructed using hot mix asphalt (HMA) with higher percentages of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) (25% to 40%) and recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) used at 0% or 3%. The three projects were paved between 2021 and 2022 on State Route 49 in El Dorado County (ED 49), State Route 215 in San Bernardino County (SBD 215), and State Route 26 in San Joaquin County (SJ 26). Two and a half to three years later, pavement condition surveys were conducted to observe surface distresses. On ED 49, the 3% RAS mix exhibited 6% low-severity wheelpath alligator cracking, often with mild pumping. The other mixes on ED 49 exhibited lower levels of alligator and total cracking. No alligator cracking was observed on SBD 215, which includes a cement-treated base not present in the other pilot projects. On SJ 26, all test sections exhibited some form of cracking, though mostly of low severity. Among the mixes, the 25% RAP/3% RAS mix showed the most alligator cracking on SJ 26...

Majority Mobility - Issue 3

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Majority Mobility - Issue 3

The Long-term Impacts of the Pandemic on Ridehailing Use Could Have Negative Environmental Impacts

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Ridehailing services (such as those offered by Uber and Lyft) can contribute to increases in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by attracting demand from more sustainable modes, encouraging additional travel, and driving while not serving passengers . Pooled ridehailing services (i.e., ridehailing services that offer discounted fares in exchange for the potential to be matched with other customers traveling to similar destinations) have been identified as a means of addressing the negative impacts of ridehailing services. However, the impact of pooled ridehailing is heavily influenced by the uptake of these services. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic substantially influenced travel mode preferences, resulting in an increased preference for individual modes (e.g., private vehicles and active modes) and a reduced preference for shared modes (e.g., public transit and ridehailing)3 . Given the disruptive impacts of the pandemic on travel mode preferences, and the negative impacts of ridehailing...

RAP and RAS in HMA Pilot Project on SJ 26: Material Testing, Observations, and Findings

Tue, 9 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A pilot project for the inclusion of high percentages of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) in hot mix asphalt (HMA) was built on State Route 26 in San Joaquin County in September 2022. Six mixes were included in short test sections: (1) a control mix with no RAS or RAP, (2) a mix with 25% RAP and recycling agent (RA) (3) a mix with 30% RAP and RA, (4) a mix with 35% RAP and RA, (5) a mix with 40% RAP and RA, and (6) a mix with 25% RAP, 3% RAS, and RA. A seventh mix, which was a typically used mix with 12% RAP and no RA, was used for construction of the rest of the overall project. This technical memorandum presents the laboratory test results from plant mix produced for job mix formula verification and from one or two quality assurance (QA) samples, depending on the test, taken during test section construction, as well as observations of plant production and construction. None of the mixes passed the Delta Tc specification, which is not uncommon...

Performance Evaluation of Recycled and Virgin Fibers in Fiber-Reinforced Concrete for Pavement Applications—Laboratory Test Results

Mon, 8 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study evaluates the performance of recycled and virgin fibers in fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC), with a focus on workability, concrete production, and mechanical properties. Fibers were directly sourced from manufacturers and used at dosages recommended by manufacturers and supported by the literature. All fibers improved the modulus of rupture of plain (control) concrete. The fibers investigated included plastic, steel, composite, glass, and basalt fibers. Across most fiber types—regardless of whether they were virgin or recycled—FRC demonstrated improved post-cracking load-carrying capacity, resulting in enhanced residual strength and ductility. Plastic fibers exhibited the best post-cracking performance, with high residual strength, toughness, and effective flexural strength ratios, though they reduced workability. Recycled plastic fibers performed comparably to virgin plastic fibers in terms of post-cracking behavior. Steel fibers had minimal impact on workability and...

Comparative Assessment of Zero-Emission Technologies for Heavy-Duty Freight: Battery Fast Charging, Battery Swapping, Catenary Electric Road, Inductive Electric Road, Hydrogen Fuel Cell and Internal Combustion, and On-Board CO₂ Capture

Mon, 8 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This report presents a comparative assessment of seven zero-emission vehicle and near-zero-emission pathways for heavy-duty freight applications: battery fast charging, battery swapping, catenary electric road systems, inductive electric road systems, hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicles (H₂ICEVs), and diesel internal combustion engine vehicles equipped with carbon capture and storage (ICEV-CCS). To enable a consistent system-level comparison, we develop a unified techno-economic modeling framework, SHIFT (Systemic Heavy-duty Infrastructure Framework for Transition), which quantifies and contrasts these pathways across multiple key performance indicators, including fuel cost, energy efficiency, levelized system cost, and levelized cost of transport, using a stochastic Monte Carlo simulation framework with bounded techno-economic parameter sampling. The simulations incorporate variations in fleet size, electricity...

Evaluation of an Affordable Electric Carsharing Service in a Low-Income Community of Color: A Case Study in Richmond, California

Wed, 3 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Transportation access is a significant issue in low-income, rural, and otherwise underserved communities in the US, with few affordable and reliable alternatives to car ownership. Carsharing is one promising alternative to improve access among these communities. This study examined the implementation and outcomes of an electric vehicle carsharing service launched in Richmond, California by Míocar. The findings are based on surveys with members, an interview with senior Míocar staff, and an analysis of service utilization data provided by Míocar. The Richmond service experienced a variety of implementation problems related to limited space for vehicles and chargers, vandalism of vehicles and hubs, and transitions between funding sources that required the service to re-launch new vehicle hubs and interrupted the continuity of service. However, utilization of the service was strong (700 reservation hours, 4,000 reservation miles) given its availability. Outcomes related to transportation...

Universal Basic Mobility Pilot Programs in Oakland and Bakersfield Are Combatting Transportation Poverty

Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The concept of Universal Basic Mobility (UBM) calls upon policymakers to ensure all people have access to transportation services for basic needs like work, food, and healthcare. Pilot programs in California and beyond are testing UBM as a means to address the problem of transport poverty, often defined as a household spending more than 10% of their income on transportation (the average American household spends 16%). Transport poverty also encompasses issues of mobility access (e.g., how far a person can travel and what types of destinations they can reach in a defined amount of time) and transportation experience (e.g., safety). Those particularly vulnerable to transport poverty include low-income households, communities ofcolor, undocumented immigrants, persons with disabilities, and youth who are neither working nor in school.

Ambiguity in Defining High-Quality Transit Shapes Where Housing Can Be Built in California

Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

“Major transit stop”—how these three words are defined determines what can be built where, throughout much of California. To address housing shortages and reduce reliance on driving, California has enacted a number of laws that streamline housing approvals and remove zoning constraints in areas near high-quality transit. Many of these laws allow for greater density, less parking, and faster permitting within half a mile of a “major transit stop,” defined in California Public Resources Code § 21064.3 as “an existing rail or bus rapid transit station, a ferry terminal served by either a bus or rail transit service,” or “the intersection of two or more major bus routes with a frequency of service interval of 20 minutes or less during the morning and afternoon peak commute periods.” In some cases, planned future transit stops included in long-range regional transportation plans may also qualify.

Tracking the Transition: Why California Needs a Central Database for Zero-Emission Trucks

Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

California has set some of the most ambitious clean-truck goals in the world. Governor Newsom’s 2020 Executive Order includes a goal that all medium- and heavy-duty trucks be zero-emission by 2045 where feasible. To meet this goal, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved two regulations focusing on trucks—the Advanced Clean Trucks rule, requiring manufacturers to sell zero-emission trucks (ZETs), and the Advanced Clean Fleets rule, requiring fleets to purchase them. Both rules are not currently active, but the targets and aggressive schedules for ZET adoption re-main. This situation creates uncertainty for manufacturers, fleets, and infrastructure providers.

Electrificación de Vehículos Comerciales Ligeros: Perspectivas de la Industria y Oportunidades en México

Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This report is available in English at: https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5824s35r

Este reporte presenta los resultados de una encuesta colaborativa de la industria y una iniciativa de investigación aplicada sobre la electrificación de flotas de vehículos comerciales ligeros (LCV, por sus siglas en inglés) en México. Realizado por el Global South Center for Clean Transportation (GSC) de UC Davis, el estudio recopiló respuestas de más de 80 empresas en todo el país, con mayor representación de Ciudad de México (CDMX), Estado de México, Guanajuato y Nuevo León.

Los resultados revelan un panorama empresarial en el que muchas operaciones ya presentan condiciones favorables para la electrificación de flotas, aunque persisten barreras financieras y de infraestructura.

Electrification of Light Commercial Vehicles: Industry Perspectives and Opportunities in Mexico

Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Este reporte está disponible en español en: https://escholarship.org/uc/item/1570t84x

This report presents the findings of a collaborative applied research initiative on the electrification of light commercial vehicle (LCV) fleets in Mexico. Conducted by the Global South Center for Clean Transportation (GSC) at UC Davis, the study began with a set of semi-structured interviews with fleet operators and supply chain managers. These interviews helped identify key operational concerns, barriers, and opportunities, and informed the design of the broader industry survey discussed in this report.

State of Zero-Emission Vehicle Secondary Market and Accessibility Impacts in California’s Underserved Communities

Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines the used plug-in electric vehicle market in California through an integrated analysis of Department of Motor Vehicles household registrations from 2023, S&P Global interstate transfer data from 2016 to 2023, and a statewide survey of vehicle owners with approximately 3,396 respondents. This includes understanding socio-economic, demographic, geographic, and behavior of not only buyers of used PEVs but also buyers of new and used internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The analysis provides empirical evidence on consumer behavior, market dynamics, and barriers to adoption that can inform policy decisions aimed at expanding plug in electric vehicle access across California’s population.

Policies to Improve Transportation Sustainability, Accessibility, and Housing Affordability in the State of California

Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This report presents analytical review of empirical research on the interactions between housing availability and production, and travel behavior, accessibility, land use policies, and transportation policies. It identifies lessons from this review for California state legislative efforts to improve housing and transportation linkages, and to increase both transportation sustainability and housing affordability. Relevant California state efforts include legislation to influence parking standards; to require up-zoning near transit stations; to influence regional housing and transportation planning goals; and to change environmental review to focus on reducing vehicle miles traveled instead of accommodating road traffic.

Preliminary Assessment of Effects of Gross Vehicle Weight Limit Increases for Trucks on Pavement Life and Cost

Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In January 2022, the Caltrans Pavement Program asked the University of California Pavement Research Center (UCPRC) to provide a quick high-level estimate of the effects of gross vehicle weight limit increases for trucks on pavement performance and the associated impact on the costs of pavement maintenance (Maintenance budget) and rehabilitation (SHOPP budget). Caltrans is considering increasing the limit from current 80 kips to 88 kips. This technical memorandum was delivered in February 2022. It was updated based on Caltrans comments in the same month and used internally by Caltrans but was not published. In September 2024 the Pavement Program requested that the UCPRC publish the technical memorandum. The results show that the high-level estimate is that the Maintenance and SHOPP budgets for pavement will need to increase by approximately 6% over the current projected 10-year total cost of $20.2 billion, resulting in a 10-year total increase of approximately $1.2 billion.

U.S. Q1 2026 EV MARKET BRIEF

Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

U.S. Q1 2026 EV MARKET BRIEF

Driving the Market for Plug-in Vehicles: Understanding Reoccurring Incentives

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Driving the Market for Plug-in Vehicles: Understanding Reoccurring Incentives

In Search of Less Parking: How Curb Management Is Failing Future Mobility

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In Search of Less Parking: How Curb Management Is Failing Future Mobility

A France–Kenya Compact for Green Industrialization: Co-Investing in Two Transitions

Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A France–Kenya Compact for Green Industrialization: Co-Investing in Two Transitions

Affordable Carsharing in Urban Contexts: Lessons from Richmond’s Pilot Program

Tue, 5 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In the US, access to a personal vehicle is often essential for getting to work, school, healthcare services, shopping, and other daily needs. To expand mobility options and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, several states have launched publicly supported electric vehicle (EV) carsharing pilot programs. These programs aim to provide affordable, low-carbon transportation options to households that cannot afford to own a vehicle. Míocar, a nonprofit carsharing service, has implemented successful pilots in rural and suburban communities in California’s San Joaquin Valley. In 2022, it expanded its service to the urban environment of Richmond, California by coordinating with the City of Richmond to implement a total of six carshare hubs, three of which are still operational as of 2025. Our research team studied the Richmond pilot service using member surveys, vehicle use data, and interviews with Míocar staff to understand how well the model translated to a denser urban setting and what...

How Amenities Can Improve the Business Case for Fast Charging Infrastructure

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Public direct current (DC) fast charging infrastructure is expanding across California and remains supported by public funding. Many charging stations face challenges becoming financially sustainable, and some are located in areas that lack the amenities drivers want while they wait for their vehicles to charge. As California continues to invest in charging infrastructure to support electric vehicle (EV) adoption, understanding what drivers do while at fast chargers, and whether they visit and spend money in nearby businesses, can help inform decisions about infrastructure deployment and could improve the business case for DCFC. To better understand EV drivers’ activities at DC fast chargers, we surveyed 3,350 EV drivers in California. The survey examined what drivers do while charging, what they spend money on during charging sessions and how much, which amenities they prefer to have nearby, and how they describe their overall charging experience.

Investigating Unmet and Difficult Travel in Underserved Communities in California

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Residents of disadvantaged, low-income, rural, and tribal communities—collectively referred to as underserved communities—often face transportation barriers resulting from decades of car-oriented planning. This has left lower-cost modes such as public transit, walking, and cycling unsafe or unavailable, resulting in widespread travel difficulties and unmet mobility needs that are challenging to measure. To understand how people are navigating these challenges, we surveyed 2,892 residents from underserved communities in California. Centering the experiences of people often underrepresented in travel behavior surveys, this study provides insights into the main factors linked to difficult or unmet travel, how people adapt to these challenges, and the barriers they face. Our findings provide evidence to inform the design of equitable transportation solutions that can improve mobility and access for California’s Priority Populations—groups that are State priorities for investments...

How Did Travel Change after COVID-19? Insights from Northern California Megaregion

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly changed how people live, work, and travel. These changes influenced travel habits, public transit use, and transportation funding across regions. However, these effects were not the same everywhere; some areas faced major, lasting disruptions, while others experienced smaller impacts and recovered faster. Recognizing these differences is crucial for transportation agencies and policymakers as they prepare for future uncertainties and limited resources. In a large and diverse region like the Northern California Megaregion, with about 13 million people, understanding how and why travel patterns shifted among different communities can help improve long-term planning and system resilience.

New Car Dealers and Retail Innovation in California's Plug-in Vehicle Market