(a)
State law establishing requirements for development of a county-wide congestion management program (AB 1791) mandates the inclusion of a trip reduction and travel demand element ordinance.
(b)
Proposition 111 was approved in June 1990 which caused AB 1791 to become effective and made available financial support through receipts of gas tax subventions.
(c)
Measure M was approved by Orange County voters in November 1990 which requires adoption of an ordinance which reduces single-occupancy vehicle trips and also makes available additional sales tax revenues to help alleviate existing and future traffic congestion.
(d)
Other transportation demand management (TDM) program requirements have been adopted for the region including rule 2202 and appendix IV-B Transportation Control Measures of the air quality management plan (AQMP).
(e)
Generally, increased traffic congestion contributes to significant deterioration in air quality; increases the inefficient use of energy resources; and adversely impacts public and private sector economics due to reduced productivity of the work force.
(f)
Various efforts underway, including the congestion management program (CMP), recognize and encourage the use of transportation demand management (TDM) strategies to increase mobility and improve the general efficiency of the transportation system by enhancing vehicle flow and shifting demand on existing transportation facilities.
(g)
Implementation of TDM strategies at the local government level would provide significant public benefits by improving air qualities; enhancing the effectiveness of the existing transportation system; and reducing energy requirements.
(h)
Coordinated TDM efforts among all local jurisdiction in the county can contribute to air quality improvements; energy conservation, and decreases in the levels of noise and traffic congestion.
(i)
New development projects should be required to provide facilities to encourage transportation alternatives such as ridesharing, transit and bicycling.
(Ord. No. 864, § 1, 4-22-91; Ord. No. 1027, 7-8-02)