Population Density, Suburbs and the Environment

[phk]

A study of California (registration required, but free).  I've only browsed it but the introduction states:

http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12747.html

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In other words, the environmental benefits of checking pro-suburb subsidies are real, but they are smaller than many people think.

On p.59, you'll see that a forty percent increase in population density decreases vehicle miles traveled by less than five percent.

 pp.131-132 offer a summary of the study's conclusions and quantitative estimates.

[Jacobtm]

A study about California doesn't say a whole lot about other states, especially cause when you talk about "urban areas" in California, LA has the lion's share of influence.

For instance, NY's mass transport is much more effective than LA's, so increasing population density where there's access to NY's subway would probably reduce miles driven by much more. I'm not sure that people who're from LA or thereabouts realize exactly how many people in NYC don't drive, don't have a need to drive, and don't care to drive. The subway in most cases is much more convenient than a car, for many many reasons.