How Tahoe Measures Transportation
TRPA uses data-driven decision making and performance-based planning to assess our transportation system and identify projects and programs that will achieve regional goals.
Transit Ridership
A well-functioning public transit system is one of the primary tools for changing travel mode share in the Lake Tahoe Region to be less dependent on automobile travel. Transit ridership is regularly monitored in the Lake Tahoe Region because it allows transportation planners the ability to assess how and to what extent public transportation systems are being utilized and enables prioritization for the allocation of transportation resources.
This indicator measures the total annual transit ridership for the two most utilized public transportation systems serving Tahoe communities. The first is the Tahoe Area Regional Transit (TART) system, which primarily serves North Lake Tahoe communities, and connects North Lake Tahoe users with the Truckee Train and Intermodal Depot. The second is BlueGo, which primarily serves Tahoe South Shore communities, and connects South Shore residents with Carson City and the Carson Valley in Douglas County. Transit Ridership is defined as the number of user trips of the transit system, including paid and complimentary trips, whether they are on a fixed route or demand-response.
This charts shows the number of transit rider miles per year.
What is Tahoe Doing to Improve Transportation
Recent federal transportation legislation (MAP-21 & FAST Act) has introduced new requirements for metropolitan planning organizations to use performance-based planning as part of regional transportation planning. TRPA has carried out performance-based planning at the regional scale for many years through the Region's threshold evaluation and transportation monitoring reports.
Miles of Pedestrian and Bicycle Routes Improved or Constructed
Pedestrian and bicycle routes and paths provide options for increased personal mobility and decreased dependence on automobiles, both for everyday travel needs as well as recreational use. This reduces air and water pollution, increases community health and cultivates additional economic activity.
This indicator measures the miles of bicycle paths, sidewalks and other transit routes improved or constructed in the Lake Tahoe Region each year. This indicator provides a single data point that captures the total miles of pedestrian and bicycle routes that are improved and constructed in the entire Lake Tahoe Region annually.
Constructed: Bicycle and pedestrian routes are constructed when a new route is built on a previously unoccupied site.
Improved: Bicycle and pedestrian routes are considered improved when an action is taken to enhance an existing route for the benefit of public transit.
Environmental Improvement Program
Learn More/Get Involved
For more information, visit the Tahoe Metropolitan Planning Organization at www.tmpo.org.