How does per-capita traffic impact relate to land-use planning decisions?

• A. Denser, mixed-use development around transit tends to reduce per-capita VMT
• B. Denser development increases VMT due to induced demand
• C. VMT is independent of land-use decisions
• D. Only tolling affects VMT

Answer: (A)

The test is about how land-use patterns shape travel behavior. When development is dense and mixed-use, especially near transit, people have closer access to homes, jobs, shops, and services. That proximity makes walking or biking viable for many trips and provides a convenient transit option, so a larger share of trips can be made without a car. As a result, vehicle miles traveled per person tends to drop, even as the population grows. This is why dense, transit-oriented, mixed-use planning is effective for reducing per-capita VMT.

VMT isn’t fixed or independent of land use; it responds to how accessible destinations are and how well transit serves them. Tolling can influence driving, but it isn’t the only factor, and well-designed density and mix around transit often produce a meaningful reduction in per-capita driving.