Caltrans SB743 Expert Panel on Induced Travel and VMT
Serving as an expert advisor on induced travel assessment, technical certainty, and policy messaging in the context of SB743 implementation.
- Role
- Expert panel member and technical advisor
- Clients
- Caltrans · California Air Resources Board (CARB) · Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR)
UrbanLabs participated in Caltrans’ SB743 expert panel work focused on induced travel and vehicle miles traveled assessment for transportation projects on the State Highway System.
The scope materials describe work on expert panel calls, a convening with interagency participation, recommendations on assessment approaches across project and lane types, and follow-up support tied to final recommendations and supporting materials.
This is important UrbanLabs work because it sits at the junction of technical methods, policy judgment, and public consequences. It is not just about selecting an analytical approach; it is about helping agencies use evidence responsibly when making decisions that shape urban systems for years to come.
Why it matters
This work reflects UrbanLabs' belief that analysis should inform policy without pretending to substitute for it. Methods matter, but so do transparency, judgment, and the ability to explain technical tradeoffs in ways policymakers can actually use.