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. 1 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION of GOVERNMENTS www.scag.ca.gov Current Policy Initiatives and Future Research Needs Huasha LiuDirector, Land Use and Environmental Planning November 4, 2010

3. 2) Regional Challenges

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

5. 4) Future Potential Research Initiatives

6. 5) Funding Opportunities

8. LargestMetropolitanPlanningOrganization SCAG REGION 190 cities 19 million residents 7.2 million jobs Southern California Association of Governments

9. 17th largest economyin the world Shares 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 Review Land Use Planning -Regional Housing Needs Assessment -SB 375: Sustainable Communities Strategy -Compass Blueprint Transportation Planning -Regional Transportation Plan -Federal Transportation Improvement Program -Goods Movement

11. We do not have the authority to: Regulate Tax Implement

12. We do have the authority to: Plan Program Study/Research Monitor Coordinate

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

22. 11 2) Regional Challenges

23. Regional Challenges Economy/Jobs Traffic Congestion Aging Population & Economic Impacts Air Quality Energy and Resources Urban Sprawl Public Health Housing Affordability Shrinking Federal & State Funding Anticipated growth of 4 million people and 2.4 million jobs to the region by 2035 Like adding two cities the size of Chicago between 2000 & 2035

24. Huge Shift in the Age of Population in SCAG Region 2010 0-20 yrs 65+ yrs 21-64 yrs 5.9 million 31% 2.0 million 11% 11.2 million 59% 2035 0-20 yrs 21-64 yrs 65+ yrs 6.6 million 29% 12.6 million 55% 3.8 million 17% Percentages do not add to 100% due to rounding Source: SCAG, Local Input/General Plan Growth Forecast, March 2010

25. “Traditional” Households on the Wane in the U.S. Household Type 1960 2000 2005 2040 HH 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 Research Transportation System Research Metro Gold Line Corridor Study (UCLA) Port and Modal Elasticity Study Phase II (Consultant) Socio-Economic Analysis Wage and Job Dynamics (Cal Lutheran University) Model/Tool Development Envision Tomorrow scenario builder (Consultant)

28. Examples of Current Research Transportation System Research Congestion pricing analysis (Consultant) Environmental Planning Research Climate & Economic Development Project (Consultant) Model/Tool Development Activity-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 Research Socio-Economic Analysis Regional 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 Development Parcel data development, improvement, and dissemination (In-house)

30. 4) Future Potential Research Initiatives

31. Transportation Planning Related Research Travel Behavior Analysis Specifically for elderly people, minority groups, and women Regional mode choice analysis Inter-regional travel analysis Household Travel Survey (HTS) data analysis Transportation System Research Transit accessibility analysis Aviation demand forecast Seaport and airport truck demand Non-motorized travel demand analysis Transportation finance analysis Model/Tool Development Dynamic Traffic Assignment and its link to emission model Travel Demand Management impact analysis tool Heavy-duty truck model

32. Economic Analysis Subcenter identification Regional economic growth strategy Model/Tool Development Econometric forecast model Small area land use, employment, demographic database Land Use Planning Related Research

33. Environmental Planning Research Environmental Justice Air quality and emissions model Impact Analysis of Potential Land Use/Transportation Scenarios Model/Tool Development Greenhouse gas emission / Carbon calculator

34. 23 5) Funding Opportunities

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

36. California’s Strategic Growth Council The Council is a cabinet level committee that is coordinating the activities of state agencies to meet the goals of AB 32 and improve California’s Air and water quality Natural resource protection Housing affordability Infrastructure systems Public health

37. California’s Strategic Growth Council Planning Grant Program $66 million total over three grant cycles First cycle is $22 million Funding has three focus areas Local Sustainable Planning (minimum 25% of funds) Regional SB 375 Planning (minimum 25% of funds) Regional Planning Activities (minimum 10% of funds) 20% funding set aside for projects that target Economically Disadvantaged Communities (EDCs) Schedule Awards will be announced on November 10th

38. California’s Strategic Growth Council Urban Greening Grant Program $64 million over three funding cycles First cycle is $21.3 million Grant Program can fund projects or plans Project proposals can be submitted by cities, counties, or non profits Proposals for plans can be submitted by cities, counties, nonprofits, COGs, MPOs, JPAs, or special districts. Schedule Funds will be awarded November 2010

39. SCAG’s University Partnership Program Funding opportunity for regional research $250,000 will soon be available for academic research related to SCAG’s policy objectives Establishes a committee of regional academics Helps SCAG receive academic input on projects Identifies mutual interests for development of possible joint projects Timeframe Grant program will be initiated in early 2011

40. US Department of Energy’s (DOE)Clean Cities Program The Clean Cities Program helps local organizations establish government-industry partnerships to reduce petroleum consumption Facilitates information exchange and technology transfer Provides tools to local coalitions Alternative Fuels and Vehicles Data Center: http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/

41. California Energy Commission Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Program (AB 118) $100 Million Annual Budget The program will support projects that meet any of the following criteria: Produce alternative and renewable low-carbon fuels in California Decrease, on a full fuel cycle basis, the overall impact and carbon footprint of alternative and renewable fuels and increase sustainability Expand fuel infrastructure, fueling stations, and equipment Improve light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicle technologies Retrofit medium- and heavy-duty on-road and non-road vehicle fleets Expand infrastructure connected with existing fleets, public transit, and transportation corridors Establish workforce training programs, conduct public education and promotion, and create technology centers

42. Eligible recipients include: Public agencies Private businesses Public-private partnerships Vehicle and technology consortia Workforce training partnerships and collaboratives Fleet owners Consumers Recreational boaters Academic institutions Schedule Proposals are due November 30th, 2010 California Energy Commission (Con’t)

43. Additional Grant Resources Websites: bpn.gov (Central Contractor Registration) CFDA.gov (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance) fedpubseminars.com (Federal Publications Seminar) Fdncenter.org (Foundation Finder) Grants.gov Gsa.gov (General Services Administration) Recovery.gov USAspending.gov Whitehouse.gov (Office of Management and Budget- OMB) Professional Training & Organizations: Federal Publications Seminar (fedpubseminars.com) Grant Writing USA (GrantwritingUSA.com) Management Concepts (managementconcepts.com) Grants Professional Organization (www.grantprofessionals.org) National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) (www.ncura.edu) National Grants Management Association (NGMA) (www.ngma.org) Society of Research Administrators (SRA) (www.srainternational.org)

44. 6) How to Conduct Research with SCAG

45. How to Conduct Research with SCAG SCAG procedure: Register as a vendor (http://www.scag.ca.gov/business/index.htm) Review RFPs and submit proposal

46. www.scag.ca.gov For more information please contact Huasha Liu Director, Land Use and Environmental Planning liu@scag.ca.gov