CHAPTER IV.   OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
Goal A Accessibility to work and services Goal B Well maintained street system Goal C Pedestrian, bikeways, scenic highways
The goals, objectives and policies set forth in this Chapter of the Transportation Element establish a citywide strategy to achieve long-term mobility and accessibility within the City of Los Angeles. Programs which implement the policies set forth herein are found in Chapter VII and are referenced by one or more bold-faced "P" numbers noted in parentheses at the conclusion of each policy.
Not all element policies can be achieved in any given action, and in relation to any specific decision on a proposed project or investment, some element objectives may be more compelling than others. On a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration factual circumstances, it is up to City decision-makers to decide how to best implement the adopted policies of this element in any way which best serves the public health, safety, mobility, and general welfare.
The City of Los Angeles Bicycle Plan (Chapter IX of this element) sets forth an additional goal as well as objectives and policies which supplement the goals, objectives and policies set forth in this chapter. Programs which implement Bicycle Plan policies are found in Section 6 of the Bicycle Plan.
GOAL A			top
Adequate accessibility to work opportunities and essential services, and acceptable levels of mobility for all those who live, work, travel, or move goods in Los Angeles.
Objective 1
Expand neighborhood transportation services and programs to enhance neighborhood accessibility.
Policies
1.1	Establish highway and transit accessibility measures to be used in evaluating the transportation needs of the City's communities. (P31)
1.2	Initiate DASH or other community-based services in neighborhoods that need and can accommodate such service. (P3, P16)
1.3	Provide financial support and incentives to students and senior citizens, thereby allowing them to use taxis, transit, paratransit and related services, voucher programs, incentives for recreational trips, and other appropriate methods, contingent on available funding. (P3, P16, P46)
1.4	Develop innovative new community-based services, where appropriate and feasible, such as Smart Shuttles, to increase accessibility in areas with high transit dependence, to reduce the unit cost of service delivery, and to create entrepreneurial opportunities. (P3, P16, P25)
1.5	Actively pursue demonstration projects to test the feasibility and effectiveness of new, innovative transit services. (P25)
1.6	Seek maximum opportunities for entrepreneurial services and other private-sector initiatives when developing community-level accessibility plans. (P24)
1.7	Provide improved transportation services to support Citywide economic development activities and related economic revitalization initiatives. (P19, P25)
Objective 2
Mitigate the impacts of traffic growth, reduce congestion, and improve air quality by implementing a comprehensive program of multimodal strategies that encompass physical and operational improvements as well as demand management.
Policies
Transportation Demand Management (TDM)
2.1	Evaluate the benefits of major transportation projects based on movement of persons and goods, rather than vehicle-movement, and look for opportunities on the arterial system to enhance ridesharing and transit. (P3)
2.2	Cooperate with regional agencies to establish regionwide Transportation Demand Management (TDM) programs to achieve regional trip reductions and/or increased vehicle occupancy. (P17, P38)
2.3	Promote the development of transportation facilities and services that encourage transit ridership, increase vehicle occupancy, and improve pedestrian and bicycle access such as: Locally-based Transportation Management Organizations (TMOs); Enhanced transit services and improved transit safety; Merchant incentives; Preferential parking; Bicycle access and parking facilities; and Adequate and appropriate lighting for pedestrian, vehicular, bicycle, and transit uses. (P17, P38)
2.4	Provide park-and-ride shuttle services to activity centers and special events. (P3, P17, P38)
2.5	Provide bicycle access in or near mixed use corridors, neighborhood districts, and community centers that affords easy accessibility to many nonwork purpose destinations. (P3, P17)
2.6	Design and implement a public education program to promote ridesharing including carpooling, vanpooling, and transit). (P17, P38)
2.7	Encourage businesses to implement telecommuting, flexible work schedules, and teleconferencing programs. (P17, P34)
2.8	Continue to integrate transit and environmental planning to enhance environmental preservation. (P2, P12, P17, P26, P46)
2.9	Expand telecommute programs and encourage the continued growth in communications, thereby providing options to vehicular travel. (P17, P34)
2.10	Secure funding and rights-of-way for implementation of the Citywide Bicycle Plan Bikeway System. (P1, P2, P3, P17)
2.11	Continue and expand requirements for new development to include bicycle storage and parking facilities, where appropriate. (P8, P17)
Transit
2.12	Actively support completion of the LACMTA Baseline Rail Transit System by 2010. For purposes of this element, the Baseline system is comprised of the following segments:
Blue Line	7th/Figueroa to Long Beach Union Station to Sierra Madre Villa (Pasadena)
Red Line	Union Station to Macarthur Park (Wilshire/Alvarado) [MOS 1] Wilshire/Alvarado to Wilshire/Western [MOS 2] Wilshire/Vermont to Hollywood/Vine [MOS 2] Hollywood/Vine to North Hollywood [MOS 3 NORTH] Union Station to 1st/Lorena [MOS 3 EAST]
Green Line	Norwalk to El Segundo (P16)
2.13	Establish the following priority corridors to commence high capacity transit service prior to year 2010, and develop programs to foster transit ridership along this corridor: San Fernando Valley (North Hollywood to Victory/Canoga, serving Warner Center)(P16) Establish the following priority corridors for high capacity transit service post-2010, and develop programs to foster transit ridership along these corridors: Wilshire Corridor (Wilshire/Western to I-405, serving Century City and Westwood) Crenshaw/Prairie Corridor (Wilshire to Hawthorne Blvd. Green Line station/with a possible connecting line to LAX) Downtown Connector (San Pedro/Washington Blue Line station to Union Station) Downtown Los Angeles to Exposition Park (Pico/Flower Blue Line station to Exposition/Vermont) (P16) Establish the following priority corridors for Alternative Rail Technology (ART) or busways utilizing publicly-owned railway rights-of-way: Los Angeles/Glendale/Burbank (Union Station to Burbank Airport) Harbor Subdivision (Slauson Blue Line station to Aviation Green Line station) Exposition Boulevard [Vermont/Exposition to Colorado/17th Street (Santa Monica)] Burbank/Chandler (North Hollywood Red Line Station to Victory / Canoga), as an alternative to subway or light rail. (P16) Establish the Freeway 405 corridor between Fwy 105 and Fwy 5 as a priority study corridor for high capacity transit (post 2015 project initiation). (P16)
2.14	Promote the increase of bus service along high-demand routes and corridors in order to reduce bus overcrowding. (P3, P16, P46)
2.15	Promote the provision of additional express and local bus service in corridors to be served by the funded rail system, so as to increase transit ridership and prepare for future rail service. (P16)
2.16	Promote the expansion of express and local bus service in priority corridors not served by the funded rail system, so as to reduce congestion along congested corridors. (P16)
2.17	Initiate shuttle bus programs to serve transit stations and work with the private sector and LACMTA to secure adequate funding. (P16, P24, P25, P25)
2.18	Continue transit restructuring studies and other inter-agency efforts to reduce the cost and enhance the effectiveness of transit service, and improve coordination with adjoining jurisdictions in implementation of feasible measures as recommended in the transit restructuring studies; and give full consideration to establish separate transit zones, such as for the San Fernando Valley. (P16)
2.19	Develop interactive transit information systems that bring customers more timely, accurate, and complete transit information. (P16, P17)
2.20	Promote the multi-modal function of transit centers (bus and rail) through improved station design and management of curb lanes to facilitate transfers between modes (e.g. rail to bus or shuttle or taxi). (P2, P3, P12)
2.21	Identify and develop transit priority streets which serve regional centers, major economic activity areas and rail stations to enhance the speed, quality and safety of transit service. (P1, P16)
Transportation Systems Management (TSM) and Parking
2.22	Establish priority corridors for Transportation System Management (TSM) improvements, including Automated Traffic Surveillance and Control (ATSAC) systems, Smart Corridors, and other strategies. (P18)
2.23	Identify the appropriate locations, standards, and implementation methods for the establishment of demonstration projects for high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) arterials and implement them as rights-of-way become available. (P18)
2.24	Implement shared-parking, peripheral parking, and parking-pricing strategies in high-employment areas. (P20) [See also Policies 3.10 and 3.14]
2.25	Coordinate parking management policies with other transportation strategies (such as transit and TDM). (P17, P20, P38)
2.26	Maximize arterial street peak hour capacity through removal of curb parking during peak hours where such removal creates an additional travel and/or bus lane. (P18, P20)
2.27	Discourage the vacation and/or closure of public alleys which service properties fronting on major or secondary highways. (P12, P29, P30)
Highway Infrastructure
2.28	Establish priority corridors for arterial street capital improvements. (P15, P19)
2.29	Consider highway infrastructure investments primarily along severely congested corridors. (P19)
2.30	Work with SCCRA as well as with freight rail operators to eliminate rail/highway at-grade crossings on regional passenger rail and freight lines. (P19)
2.31	Promote freeway investments (including the Route 126 corridor and the Santa Clarita by-pass), HOV, transit, shuttle, and other transportation strategies and investments along the Fwy 5 and Fwy 405 corridors, which connect the City with North Los Angeles County, so as to reduce potential future congestion. (P19) Promote full consideration of jobs/housing balance issues by North Los Angeles County jurisdictions and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in their general plan preparation and project review processes. (P45)
2.32	Work with Caltrans to implement its Freeway HOV Program and HOV System Integration Plan, and support timely completion of HOV projects on the I-5 and the I-405 freeways within Los Angeles County. (P19, P39)
2.33	Continue incremental completion of the Highways and Freeways system, as shown in Maps A1 and A2-A6, and as may be periodically modified by the designation of pedestrian priority street segments and transit priority streets. (P1, P15, P19)
2.34	Consider the construction of new highway segments and strategic roadway widening only after the implementation of appropriate Demand Management and System Management measures. (P2, P3, P19, P29, P30)
Advanced Transportation Technology
2.35	Actively support Intelligent Transportation System technology relating to traveler information and the management of transportation systems, such as smart highways and smart vehicles; and focus smart corridor implementation on HOV freeway segments. (P18)
2.36	Actively support reasonable mandates for zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) production and market penetration and as well as provide adequate support facilities where feasible. (P11, P16, P24, P43, P46)
2.37	Actively support reasonable mandates for alternative fuel vehicle (AFV i.e. low emission vehicles) production and market penetration. (P16, P24, P43, P46)
Objective 3
Support development in regional centers, community centers, major economic activity areas and along mixed-use boulevards as designated in the Community Plans.
Policies
3.1	Streamline the traffic analysis and mitigation procedures for development applications. (P28)
3.2	Develop flexible standards and criteria for the assessment of significant transportation impacts within regional centers, community centers and major economic activity areas as well as along mixed-use boulevards, so long as the impacts to any nearby lower density residential areas are not significant or are minimized. (P3, P12, P28)
3.3	Encourage the use of the Los Angeles County Congestion Management Program Toolbox trip reduction assumptions in calculating and mitigating transportation impacts for development applications for projects to be located in regional centers, major economic activity areas, community centers or along mixed use boulevards. (P3, P28)
3.4	Establish efficient and straightforward procedures for developing and amending Transportation Improvement and Mitigation Programs and for conducting other traffic impact studies. (P2, P3, P28)
3.5	Encourage and seek the formation of public/private partnerships when developing centers and districts and provide appropriate transportation facilities and/or related programs, to the maximum extent feasible. (P3, P24, P25, P27)
3.6	Encourage private sector interests to initiate the development of Local Accessibility Plans for centers and districts. (P3, P25)
3.7	Promote the development of transit alignments and station locations which maximize transit service to activity centers and which permit the concentration of development around transit stations as illustrated in Figure 3. (P1, P16)
3.8	Promote the provision of shuttles and other services that increase access to and within regional centers and major economic activity areas to encourage growth there and to mitigate the traffic impacts of that growth. (P16, P27)
3.9	Establish programs that monitor community and regional centers to determine the need for centralized parking and provide for its implementation where appropriate. (P20, P32)
3.10	Develop new and/or refined parking policy procedures for designated centers and districts. (P3, P8, P20, P28)
3.11	Develop programs for new development to implement both transportation improvements and demand reduction programs which mitigate the circulation impacts attributable to new development in accordance with State nexus legislation and judicial findings. (P2, P3, P28)
3.12	Promote the enhancement of transit access to neighborhood districts, community and regional centers, and mixed-use boulevards. (P16)
3.13	Enhance pedestrian circulation in neighborhood districts, community centers, and appropriate locations in regional centers and along mixed-use boulevards; promote direct pedestrian linkages between transit portals/platforms and adjacent commercial development through facilities orientation and design. (P3, P6, P10, P13, P14, P21)
3.14	Promote the provision of shared-parking facilities in appropriate centers and districts. (P3, P20)
3.15	Enhance bicycle access to neighborhood districts, community centers, and appropriate locations in regional centers and mixed-use boulevards. (P2, P3, P17)
3.16	Promote implementation of the Land Use/Transportation Policy as adopted by City Council and endorsed by the LACMTA Board (attached as Appendix F) which encourages economic development in proximity to transit centers. (P1, P3, P8, P9, P10, P14)
Objective 4
Preserve the existing character of lower density residential areas and maintain pedestrian-oriented environments where appropriate.
Policies
4.1	Seek to eliminate or minimize the intrusion of traffic generated by new regional or local development into residential neighborhoods while preserving an adequate collector street system. (P2, P12, P18)
4.2	Incorporate traffic management measures to control traffic speeds and volumes on local and collector streets within low density residential neighborhoods to assure safe and orderly traffic flow. Traffic management measures for such local streets may include partial closures and/or traffic diverters. (P12, P18)
4.3	Seek to provide access patterns and circulation improvements that preserve the existing character of neighborhood retail areas. (P1, P12)
4.4	Identify pedestrian priority street segments (through amendments to the Community Plans) in which pedestrian circulation takes precedence over vehicle circulation, and implementguidelines to develop, protect, and foster the pedestrian-oriented nature of these areas. (P1, P3, P6, P14, P21, P37)
4.5	Consider traffic impacts on pedestrian-priority street segments and find mitigation measures which do not restrict pedestrian circulation in these areas. (P2, P3)
4.6	Consider the cultural aspects as well as the safety functions of existing street lighting when determining whether to refurbish or replace existing street lighting equipment. (P6)
4.7	Utilize the "Guide to Decisions on Public Rights-of Way" included as Attachment B of the Land Use/ Transportation Policy (attached as Appendix F) in analyzing any proposed street widening which could result in narrowing of sidewalks. (P28, P29, P30)
Objective 5
Provide for the efficient movement of goods and for adequate access to intermodal facilities.
Policies
5.1	Actively support and seek continued funding for projects such as the Alameda Corridor, in cooperation with other local jurisdictions and the regional agencies in Southern California. (P15, P19, P40)
5.2	Work collaboratively with other public agencies to develop a modern intermodal freight facility at the northern terminus of the Alameda Corridor. (P44)
5.3	Actively support transportation projects which serve industrially designated districts. (P15, P19, P40)
5.4	Establish master plans, including ground access plans, to guide future development of Los Angeles International Airport, Van Nuys Airport, Palmdale Regional Airport, and Ontario International Airport, taking into account impacts on surrounding communities. (P4, P5, P33)
5.5	Support expansion of capacity at all major regional airports in order to accommodate anticipated freight volumes, taking into account impacts on surrounding communities. (P5, P48)
5.6	Actively support the continued growth of the Port of Los Angeles, consistent with adopted plans and taking into account impacts on surrounding communities. (P4, P33)
5.7	Continue to expand the role of Union Station as the major regional hub for Amtrak, Metrolink, Metrorail , and high-speed rail service. (P1, P3, P16)
5.8	Encourage the development and siting of pipelines only within suitable utility corridors or public rights-of-way in such a manner as to least disrupt sensitive environments, to protect public health, ground water quality, and to improve the safety and reliability of the system. (P45)
5.9	Improve access and mobility within established industrial areas through designation of industrial collector streets and improvement of those streets to industrial collector standards. (P1, P3)
5.10	Require off-street dock and/or loading facilities for all new non-residential buildings and for existing non-residential buildings undergoing extensive renovations and/or expansion, whenever practicable. (P3, P8, P12)
5.11	Encourage the expansion of on-street loading areas through removal of curb parking in established industrial areas where off-street loading facilities are lacking. (P20)
5.12	Coordinate goods movement improvements, especially when designating truck routes, with adjoining jurisdictions. (P44)
5.13	Support the use by delivery trucks (five tons or less) of High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes as part of the Freeway HOV system in the event that HOT lanes are implemented in Caltrans District 7. (P47)
Objective 6
Incorporate available local, state, and federal funding opportunities to provide sufficient financing for transportation improvements and programs.
Policies
6.1	Assist in developing a regional transit service financing plan that incorporates local and regional funding opportunities (including Proposition A and C funds) and that is designed to achieve adequate operating funds on an ongoing basis. (P15, P16, P48)
6.2	Promote and advocate commitments from regional agencies to obtain long term transit service funding that will provide and maintain adequate levels of transit access. (P15, P16, P48, P51)
6.3	Support full funding for the completion of key freight projects, such as the Alameda Corridor, that improve the movement of goods throughout the region and enhance the intermodal interface between truck and rail freight systems. (P15, P33, P49, P51)
6.4	Seek changes in federal, state, and regional transportation funding and project implementation policy that will better support the goals and objectives of the Citywide General Plan Framework and this Transportation Element. (P15, P46, P51)
6.5	Form strategic partnerships with other jurisdictions, regional agencies, and the private sector to eliminate impediments to the expeditious funding and implementation of major transportation projects. (P44, P49, P51)
6.6	Study possible new funding sources for feasibility and effectiveness, including: fuel taxes, vehicle miles traveled charges, or other user fees; sales taxes, bond measures, or other general public financing mechanisms; developer fees, assessment districts, or other private sector financing programs; Citywide infrastructure fee; and public-private partnerships. (P49, P50, P52)
6.7	Work collaboratively with other public agencies and the private sector to advocate more state and federal transportation funding which provides greater local flexibility in allocation of funds, such as ISTEA and its reauthorization(s). (P51)
6.8	Work with regional agencies to reduce the cost of bus operations and to increase operating revenues. (P16)
6.9	Implement procedures to achieve fair-share participation of the private sector in financing transportation improvements. (P2, P3, P24, P25)
6.10	Encourage participation of small business enterprises in implementing new transportation projects. (P2, P27)
6.11	Actively seek opportunities for joint development projects which integrate land use and transportation facilities. (P24, P25)
6.12	Seek the cooperation of all City departments and other agencies to develop innovative transportation solutions. (P38, P40, P42)
6.13	Achieve a more streamlined regulatory process through cooperative efforts of all City departments. (P28, P35, P36)
Objective 7
Provide an ongoing evaluation of transportation programs to determine whether the goals and objectives of the Citywide General Plan Framework and this element are being met, or if these goals and objectives should be modified to reflect changing circumstances.
Policies
7.1	Monitor progress toward the Citywide General Plan Framework and Transportation Element goals and objectives and determine whether they should be revised by maintaining biannual statistics on the following: Accessibility; Vehicle miles traveled/vehicle hours traveled; Transit mode split and ridership; Congestion Management Program (CMP) network levels of service; and Congested Corridor arterial street levels of service. (P31, P32)
7.2	Monitor the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) annually to determine whether the City's investment strategy is moving toward attainment of Citywide Framework and Transportation Element goals and objectives, and revise the CIP as appropriate. (P15, P32, P53)
7.3	Assure the fair and equitable treatment of people of all races, cultures, incomes and education levels with respect to the development and implementation of citywide transportation policies and programs, including affirmative efforts to inform and involve environmental groups, especially environmental justice groups, in the planning and monitoring process through notification and two-way communication. (P1, P15, P16, P32, P46)
7.4	Monitor the investment strategies of regional agencies such as the LACMTA to determine whether they are moving toward attainment of Citywide Framework and Transportation Element goals and objectives, and seek revisions as appropriate. (P16, P38, P46, P53)
7.5	Work with LACMTA to amend the County Congestion Management Program (CMP) to incorporate vehicle miles traveled and vehicle hours traveled as measurable standards for CMP effectiveness in addition to the current level-of-service standard. (P38, P46)
GOAL B			top
A street system maintained in a good to excellent condition adequate to facilitate the movement of those reliant on the system.
Objective 8
Operate a pavement management system designed to provide, on a continuing basis, the status of the maintenance needs of the City's street and bikeway systems.
Policies
8.1	Identify streets requiring remedial repair and determine the maintenance techniques required to return those streets to a good to excellent condition and to prolong their useful life. (P12, P13)
Objective 9
Ensure that adequate maintenance of the street system is provided to facilitate the movement of current and future traffic volumes, as well as emergency services.
Policies
9.1	Properly manage and improve the City's capability to provide the most effective, efficient, and economical street maintenance and repair. (P22, P23)
9.2	Monitor the condition of street lighting equipment and actively seek funding for the construction of new safety lighting where appropriate. (P6, P35)
GOAL C			top
An integrated system of pedestrian priority street segments, bikeways, and scenic highways which strengthens the City's image while also providing access to employment opportunities, essential services, and open space.
Objective 10
Make the street system accessible, safe, and convenient for bicycle, pedestrian, and school child travel.
Policies
10.1	Implement the updated and revised 1996 City Bicycle Plan, (Chapter IX of this Element). (P1, P2, P3, P17)
10.2	Continue completion of the Highways and Freeways system utilizing the cross sections presented in Chapter VI* of this element, which provide for wider sidewalks / parkways along arterial streets, and link implementation of streetscape guidelines to street widening projects. (P10, P15)
10.3	Identify pedestrian priority street segments in Community Plans and implement guidelines to develop, protect, and foster the pedestrian oriented nature of these areas. (cf. Policy 4.3) (P1, P6, P14, P21, P35)
10.4	Expedite the implementation of the streetscape guidelines and standards set forth in this Transportation Element (Chapter VI-C* .) for pedestrian priority and transit priority streets as funding allows. (P14, P29, P30, P37)
10.5	Ensure that sidewalks along all designated major and secondary highways are maintained at a minimum ten (10)-foot width pending full dedication and improvement of these streets to the standards set forth in this Element. (P29, P30)
10.6	Consider school child safety as a priority over vehicular movement on all streets regardless of highway classifications. (P13, P30)
Objective 11
Preserve and enhance access to scenic resources and regional open space.
Policies
11.1	Designate scenic highways and scenic byways which merit special consideration for protection and enhancement of scenic resources. (Map)
11.2	Provide for protection and enhancement of views of scenic resources along or visible from designated scenic highways through implementation of guidelines set forth in this Transportation Element (Chapter VI.D) (P29, P30, P37)
11.3	Consider aesthetics and scenic preservation in the design and maintenance of designated scenic highways and of those scenic byways designated in Community Plans. (P6, P29, P30, P37, P40)
11.4	Establish Scenic Corridor Plans, where appropriate, which set forth corridor boundaries and development controls in harmony with each corridor's specific scenic character. (P7)

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