UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies

The Tribal Sustainable Transportation Transitions study was conducted by faculty and graduate students in the departments of Native American Studies and Civil and Environmental Engineering at UC Davis, respectively, as part of the Center for Efficiency, Resiliency, and Community Engagement in Transportation (CERCET). The purpose of this study was to identify the challenges and opportunities facing Tribal Nations in California considering the transition to more sustainable transportation systems. This study began with a literature review on tribal sustainable transportation initiatives in California. A pilot survey was then distributed via email to tribal transportation, public works, and/or environmental directors at federally recognized tribes in California, conducted in-person with attendees at the 2026 UC Davis Big Time and Powwow, and conducted via interview with tribal public works and environmental staff. Thirty-eight individual survey responses were received, providing current perspectives and needs within tribal communities regarding implementing sustainable transportation initiatives. The results from the survey reveal that respondents view sustainable transportation as a contextual concept, dependent upon infrastructure capabilities, geography, and community preferences. While most respondents identify advanced transportation infrastructure and active transportation as primary sustainable transportation initiatives, these were identified predominantly as a means for addressing fundamental transportation challenges such as road construction and maintenance as well as public transit availability. The study further identified major transportation barriers including staff shortages, funding constraints, and difficulty receiving aid from regional and state agencies which make it challenging for tribes to pursue many transportation opportunities. This pilot study provides important methodological lessons for more comprehensive research on the definition of “sustainable transportation” and specific transportation needs in Indian Country in California.