Meeting_Body
AD HOC SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
JUNE 14, 2017
Subject/Action
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
SUBJECT: STATUS UPDATE ON 2017 SUSTAINABILITY ANNUAL
REPORT AND PERFORMANCE METRICS
RECEIVE AND FILE status update on 2017 Sustainability Annual Report and Performance Metrics.
Issue
ISSUE
In February 2017, a consultant team was selected, and subsequently work has begun for the third Countywide Sustainability Annual Report. This effort includes the development of updated performance metrics pursuant to prior Committee direction.
This board report is an update on the process to develop the next Sustainability Annual Report and performance metrics. Universal policy themes for the new sustainability metrics will be reviewed at this stage to inform work going forward.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The basis for the Sustainability Annual Report and performance metrics is the Board-adopted Countywide Sustainability Planning Policy (CSPP). The CSPP directs the creation of a Sustainability Annual Report and provides the framework for the performance metrics. Staff would like to prompt discussion by the Committee on policy themes for the metrics.
At this time, a consultant team is on board. The process for the Annual Report and metrics development includes the following elements:
• Best practices research and literature review for a national perspective on sustainability performance metrics
• Facilitated roundtable discussions with regional stakeholders and agency staff with expertise in sustainability
• Interviews and research to identify case study projects that exemplify innovative techniques in the region
• Metrics selection and analysis
• Design and possible web development of online tool to view metrics over time
• Framework to aid decision making around target setting
• Final report that includes case studies and performance metrics
The CSPP includes a preliminary list of sustainability performance metrics. In 2015, the initial performance metrics were:
• Vehicle miles traveled
• Total person trips for carpool and active transportation
• Number of jobs within a half-mile radius of stations
• Population within a half-mile radius of stations
• Pedestrians and cyclists killed or injured in car crashes
• Daily total CO2 emissions for LA County
• Daily total vehicle delay for LA County
• Average trip lengths for auto trips
• Average trip lengths for total trips
• Metro transit ridership total annual boarding
In response to direction from the Committee to augment the performance metrics (July 15, 2015), below are overarching policy themes to address topics such as equity, job access, technology, vehicle ownership, activity centers, bicycle and pedestrian safety, emerging technologies and shared mobility, environmental justice and income in Los Angeles County. The following universal policy themes are suggested here to respond to the Committee’s direction.
The policy themes include:
• Mobility and Accessibility
o General Mobility, Demand, and Capacity
o Mobility by Mode (including first/last mile)
o Accessibility (including jobs, housing, education, and essential services)
o Innovation and Emerging Technologies
o Reliability
• Environment, Health, and Safety
o Safety by Mode
o Active Transportation
o Water, Energy, and Ecosystems
o Air Pollution, Urban Heat, and Health
o Resilience (including climate change and natural hazards)
• Community, Economy, and Equity
o Accessibility by demographics, geography, etc.
o Affordability
o Livability
One major consideration will be the integration of these performance metrics and other related elements from this annual report into the developing Long Range Transportation Plan. As that comprehensive effort is in process, it will be critical to incorporate sustainability as one of several areas that cross cut many facets of the plan. Initial recommendations on how to approach that will be suggested to refine the Committee’s direction on performance metrics going forward.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Subsequent to discussion on this item and based on the Committee’s feedback, staff will continue developing the metrics for the next Committee meeting (anticipated September 2017). We also anticipate circulating a list of potential case studies this summer for review. Staff will report back to the Committee as needed with updates regarding the ongoing effort. By the end of calendar year 2017, Staff anticipates a final set of sustainability performance metrics and case studies per Committee feedback.
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Katie Lemmon, Manager, Transportation Planning, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 922-7441
Jacob Lieb, Senior Manager, Transportation Planning, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 922-4132
Diego Cardoso, EO, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 922-3076
Cal Hollis, SEO, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 922-7319
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Therese W. McMillan, Chief Planning Officer, (213) 922-7077
