SMCLC SEEKS TO PURSUE CALTRANS GRANT FOR NEW TRAFFIC COUNT SYSTEM

SMCLC is pursuing an opportunity to seek Caltrans funds to replace the city's obsolete traffic estimation system. Next year, Caltrans will be giving $3,000,000 to cities like ours via the "Community Transportation Grant" program. SMCLC is in preliminary discussions with the City of Santa Monica to apply jointly for one of these grants in the fall of 2006.

Although an "upgraded traffic estimation methodology" sounds unexciting and technical, an improved and more accurate traffic methodology is one of the keys to a saner and more thoughtful land-use policy for downtown and other congested areas. At present, the city is unable to accurately measure current traffic levels and the increased traffic generated by each new development project. Without accurate information, elected officials, planning commissioners, residents and voters cannot make informed decisions. Recent advances in technology offer Santa Monica exciting new possibilities, and the opportunity to bring this new technology to our city with Caltrans funds seems too good to pass up!

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