SCAG is the largest metropolitan planning organization in the US, serving over 190 cities in Southern California. It coordinates regional transportation and land use planning to address challenges of continued population growth. SCAG has conducted research on topics like transportation modeling, economic analysis, and environmental planning. Future research priorities include travel behavior, transit accessibility, and tool development. SCAG also provides information on funding opportunities through agencies like HUD, California's Strategic Growth Council, and the Department of Energy. Researchers can conduct projects with SCAG by registering as a vendor and responding to requests for proposals.

1. 1SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION of GOVERNMENTSwww.scag.ca.govCurrent Policy Initiatives and Future Research NeedsHuasha LiuDirector, Land Use and Environmental PlanningNovember 4, 2010

2. 2Topics1) SCAG Organization and Region Overview

3. 2) Regional Challenges

4. 3) Completed, Current, and Ongoing Research Activities

5. 4) Future Potential Research Initiatives

6. 5) Funding Opportunities

7. 6) How to Conduct Research with SCAG31) SCAG Organization and Region Overview

8. LargestMetropolitanPlanningOrganizationSCAG REGION190 cities19 million residents7.2 million jobsSouthern CaliforniaAssociation of Governments

9. 17th largest economyin the worldShares the characteristics of many nations

10. What is SCAG’s role in the Region?Federal and State Government Mandates to Develop Regional Plans:Environmental Planning -RTP Program EIR-Air Quality Planning Program-Intergovernmental ReviewLand Use Planning -Regional Housing Needs Assessment-SB 375: Sustainable Communities Strategy-Compass BlueprintTransportation Planning -Regional Transportation Plan -Federal Transportation Improvement Program -Goods Movement

11. We do not have the authority to:RegulateTaxImplement

12. We do have the authority to:PlanProgramStudy/ResearchMonitorCoordinate

13. Highlight of Services to Local JurisdictionsSCAG GIS Services

14. Software training and data assistance for cities and counties to support local planning

15. Compass Blueprint Program

16. 84 Demonstration Projects Completed

17. $7.4 million awarded since 2005

18. $5 million will be awarded per year from this year forward

19. Green Cities Recognition Awards

20. New incentive program promoting GHG reduction

21. $2 million per year in cash awards from this year forwardRequires Close Collaboration with Partner Agencies in the RegionSCAGFEDERAL STATEHighway (FHWA)Transit (FTA)Aviation (FAA)Railroad (FRA)Environment (EPA)Housing (HUD)Transportation(DOT/CTC/BT&H)Air Quality (CARB)Councils of Government(CALCOG)Housing (BT&H)LOCAL COMMUNITYSubregionsGeneral PublicPlanning Orgs.Transportation Orgs.Transportation CommissionsAir Quality Management Districts

22. 112) Regional Challenges

23. Regional ChallengesEconomy/Jobs Traffic CongestionAging Population & Economic ImpactsAir QualityEnergy and ResourcesUrban SprawlPublic HealthHousing AffordabilityShrinking Federal & State FundingAnticipated growth of 4 million people and 2.4 million jobs to the region by 2035Like adding two cities the size of Chicago between 2000 & 2035

24. Huge Shift in the Age of Population in SCAG Region20100-20 yrs65+ yrs21-64 yrs 5.9 million 31%2.0 million 11%11.2 million59%20350-20 yrs21-64 yrs65+ yrs6.6 million 29%12.6 million 55%3.8 million 17%Percentages do not add to 100% due to roundingSource: SCAG, Local Input/General Plan Growth Forecast, March 2010

25. “Traditional” Households on the Wane in the U.S.Household Type 1960 2000 2005 2040HH with Children 48% 33% 32% 27%HH without Children 52% 67% 68% 73%Single-Person HH 13% 26% 31% 34%Source: Dr. Arthur C. Nelson, Presidential Professor & Director of Metropolitan Research, University of Utah.

26. 3) Completed, Current, and Ongoing Research Activities

27. Examples of Completed ResearchTransportation System ResearchMetro Gold Line Corridor Study (UCLA)Port and Modal Elasticity Study Phase II (Consultant)Socio-Economic AnalysisWage and Job Dynamics (Cal Lutheran University)Model/Tool DevelopmentEnvision Tomorrow scenario builder (Consultant)

28. Examples of Current ResearchTransportation System ResearchCongestion pricing analysis (Consultant)Environmental Planning ResearchClimate & Economic Development Project (Consultant)Model/Tool DevelopmentActivity-based transportation model (UCSB/ASU/UT)Land use model (UC Davis, University of Calgary)Sustainability tool (Consultant)California Land Opportunity Tracking System (UCLA)

29. Ongoing ResearchSocio-Economic AnalysisRegional demographic trends (In-house)Aging/ethnic diversity (In-house)City level population projections (In-house)Spatial distribution of population and employment (In-house)County level population and employment balance (In-house)Model/Tool DevelopmentParcel data development, improvement, and dissemination (In-house)

30. 4) Future Potential Research Initiatives

31. Transportation Planning Related ResearchTravel Behavior AnalysisSpecifically for elderly people, minority groups, and womenRegional mode choice analysisInter-regional travel analysisHousehold Travel Survey (HTS) data analysisTransportation System ResearchTransit accessibility analysisAviation demand forecastSeaport and airport truck demandNon-motorized travel demand analysisTransportation finance analysisModel/Tool DevelopmentDynamic Traffic Assignment and its link to emission modelTravel Demand Management impact analysis tool Heavy-duty truck model

32. Economic Analysis Subcenter identificationRegional economic growth strategy Model/Tool DevelopmentEconometric forecast modelSmall area land use, employment, demographic databaseLand Use Planning Related Research

33. Environmental Planning ResearchEnvironmental JusticeAir quality and emissions modelImpact Analysis of Potential Land Use/Transportation ScenariosModel/Tool DevelopmentGreenhouse gas emission / Carbon calculator

34. 235) Funding Opportunities

35. HUD Sustainable Communities Planning Grant ProgramSupports multi-jurisdictional regional efforts that integrate housing, economic development, transportation, resource planning, and sustainability$100 million available through competitive application processGrant was awarded in October 2010California was allocated $5.5 million or 5.5% of the total available fundsCalifornia’s population represents 12% of the national total