Low-Carb Land: A User-Friendly Web Tool to Evaluate Travel and CO2 Impacts
Clients:
Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington State Department of Commerce, Thurston Regional Planning Council

Climate change concerns have renewed interest in “Smart Growth” – land use that emphasizes more compact, mixed-use development. Low-Carb Land gives users the ability to sensitivity test how land use shifts affect on-road travel and resulting CO2 emissions. The tool enables planners to develop high-level, policy-relevant insights that can inform decision makers and the general public about the travel and greenhouse gas (GHG) implications of various growth alternatives.
Low-Carb Land is especially useful for small- to medium-sized agencies that lack the financial resources or technical expertise to
Low-Carb Land is especially useful for small- to medium-sized agencies that lack the financial resources or technical expertise to
- Evaluate travel impacts from compact, mixed use development
- Assess how travel changes affect CO2 emissions
- Compare the relative merits of various land use proposals
- Improve communication of land use outcomes to the general public
- Understand the GHG implications of employment and housing development options