Recent ucop items

U.S. Q1 2026 EV MARKET BRIEF

Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

U.S. Q1 2026 EV MARKET BRIEF

Report from the 2026 UCLA Arrowhead Symposium: New Mobility, Automated Vehicles and Cities

Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Automated vehicles are no longer a “coming soon” technology; they are an operational reality reshaping the physical and digital real estate of our cities. The question is no longer if the technology will work, but how we will govern the complex ecosystem it inhabits. The 2026 UCLA Arrowhead Symposium on New Mobility, Automated Vehicles, and Cities shifted the focus beyond technological hype and market speculation to the urgent work of public stewardship.

Accelerating Transportation Innovation in California

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Mobility 10x Summit convened more than 200 leaders from state agencies, regional governments, academia, and industry to accelerate California’s transition toward a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable transportation system. As the capstone event of the Resilient and Innovative Mobility Initiative (RIMI)—a four‐year UC ITS research effort launched in 2021—the summit synthesized extensive research and practitioner insights across ten priority transportation topics, ranging from public transit to automation and carbon-neutraltransportation to equity, safety, and resilience.Across the opening and closing plenary discussions and nine breakout sessions, participants examined the structural challenges facing California’s transportation system: declining gas tax revenues, climate‐driven infrastructure damage, uneven public transit ridership recovery, inequitable access to mobility options, and rapid technological change. These challenges are converging at a moment when California...

Driving the Market for Plug-in Vehicles: Understanding Reoccurring Incentives

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Driving the Market for Plug-in Vehicles: Understanding Reoccurring Incentives

In Search of Less Parking: How Curb Management Is Failing Future Mobility

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In Search of Less Parking: How Curb Management Is Failing Future Mobility

Cross-Linguistic Variation and Efficiency

Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This book argues that major patterns of variation across languages are structured by general principles of efficiency in language use and communication. Evidence for these comes from languages permitting structural choices from which selections are made in performance, e.g. between competing word orders and between relative clauses with a resumptive pronoun versus a gap. The preferences and patterns of performance within languages are reflected in the fixed conventions and variation patterns across grammars, leading to a ‘‘Performance–Grammar Correspondence Hypothesis.’’ The general theory that is laid out in Hawkins’s Efficiency and Complexity in Grammars (OUP) is extended and updated. New areas of grammar and of performance are discussed, new research findings are incorporated that test Hawkins’s earlier predictions, and new advances in the contributing fields of language processing, linguistic theory, historical linguistics, and typology are addressed. This efficiency approach...

A France–Kenya Compact for Green Industrialization: Co-Investing in Two Transitions

Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A France–Kenya Compact for Green Industrialization: Co-Investing in Two Transitions

The Long-term Impacts of the Pandemic on Ridehailing Use Could Have Negative Environmental Impacts

Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Ridehailing services (such as those offered by Uber and Lyft) can contribute to increases in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by attracting demand from more sustainable modes, encouraging additional travel, and driving while not serving passengers . Pooled ridehailing services (i.e., ridehailing services that offer discounted fares in exchange for the potential to be matched with other customers traveling to similar destinations) have been identified as a means of addressing the negative impacts of ridehailing services. However, the impact of pooled ridehailing is heavily influenced by the uptake of these services. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic substantially influenced travel mode preferences, resulting in an increased preference for individual modes (e.g., private vehicles and active modes) and a reduced preference for shared modes (e.g., public transit and ridehailing)3 . Given the disruptive impacts of the pandemic on travel mode preferences, and the negative impacts of ridehailing...

Tax parking, not housing

Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This discussion paper argues that cities should discourage off-street parking by levying a tax — a parking impact fee — on new development. Parking generates environmental and social costs or externalities, and developers, left to their own devices, will provide too many spaces from a societal perspective. A parking impact fee can account for these externalities and provide incentives for developers to reduce the oversupply of parking. One practical way to implement such a fee is to repurpose the transportation impact fees that cities already levy on new development. Rather than the current practice of charging a fee for each housing unit or square foot, which discourages housing and commercial development, cities should charge for each new parking space — discouraging parking instead.

Preliminary Evidence that Combination Oral Contraceptive Use in Young Adult Women Is Associated with the Endocrine Stress Response to High-Dose Alcohol

Fri, 8 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Preliminary Evidence that Combination Oral Contraceptive Use in Young Adult Women Is Associated with the Endocrine Stress Response to High-Dose Alcohol

If You Build It, They May Not Come: Willingness to Participate in Managed EV Charging

Thu, 7 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

If You Build It, They May Not Come: Willingness to Participate in Managed EV Charging

Electrificación de Vehículos Comerciales Ligeros: Perspectivas de la Industria y Oportunidades en México

Thu, 7 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Este reporte presenta los resultados de una encuesta colaborativa de la industria y una iniciativa de investigación aplicada sobre la electrificación de flotas de vehículos comerciales ligeros (LCV, por sus siglas en inglés) en México. Realizado por el Global South Center for Clean Transportation (GSC) de UC Davis, el estudio recopiló respuestas de más de 80 empresas en todo el país, con mayor representación de Ciudad de México (CDMX), Estado de México, Guanajuato y Nuevo León.

Los resultados revelan un panorama empresarial en el que muchas operaciones ya presentan condiciones favorables para la electrificación de flotas, aunque persisten barreras financieras y de infraestructura.

Are Consumers Myopic? Evidence from New and Used Car Purchases

Wed, 6 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Are Consumers Myopic? Evidence from New and Used Car Purchases

Profiting from Regulation: An Event Study of the European Carbon Market

Wed, 6 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Profiting from Regulation: An Event Study of the European Carbon Market

Affordable Carsharing in Urban Contexts: Lessons from Richmond’s Pilot Program

Tue, 5 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In the US, access to a personal vehicle is often essential for getting to work, school, healthcare services, shopping, and other daily needs. To expand mobility options and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, several states have launched publicly supported electric vehicle (EV) carsharing pilot programs. These programs aim to provide affordable, low-carbon transportation options to households that cannot afford to own a vehicle. Míocar, a nonprofit carsharing service, has implemented successful pilots in rural and suburban communities in California’s San Joaquin Valley. In 2022, it expanded its service to the urban environment of Richmond, California by coordinating with the City of Richmond to implement a total of six carshare hubs, three of which are still operational as of 2025. Our research team studied the Richmond pilot service using member surveys, vehicle use data, and interviews with Míocar staff to understand how well the model translated to a denser urban setting and what...

How Amenities Can Improve the Business Case for Fast Charging Infrastructure

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Public direct current (DC) fast charging infrastructure is expanding across California and remains supported by public funding. Many charging stations face challenges becoming financially sustainable, and some are located in areas that lack the amenities drivers want while they wait for their vehicles to charge. As California continues to invest in charging infrastructure to support electric vehicle (EV) adoption, understanding what drivers do while at fast chargers, and whether they visit and spend money in nearby businesses, can help inform decisions about infrastructure deployment and could improve the business case for DCFC. To better understand EV drivers’ activities at DC fast chargers, we surveyed 3,350 EV drivers in California. The survey examined what drivers do while charging, what they spend money on during charging sessions and how much, which amenities they prefer to have nearby, and how they describe their overall charging experience.

Multi-dimensional Prioritization Tool for Capital Improvement of Hillside Streets in Los Angeles

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This report presents a comprehensive framework for prioritizing capital investment in urban road infrastructure, with a focus on resilience, safety, and equity. The framework addresses the growing challenges of aging road networks, increased traffic demand, and the risks posed by natural hazards such as landslides and wildfires. Using a multi-dimensional tool, the report evaluates road segments in Los Angeles hillside regions based on their importance within the transportation network, physical condition, and hazard exposure. Additionally, it incorporates demographics to ensure that infrastructure investments prioritize underserved communities. The results are further enhanced through a probabilistic framework designed to assess landslide risks in earthquake-prone regions. By combining structural importance with demographic data and hyperlocal assessments, cities can make more informed and equitable infrastructure investment decisions. Recommendations include prioritizing investments...

Investigating Unmet and Difficult Travel in Underserved Communities in California

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Residents of disadvantaged, low-income, rural, and tribal communities—collectively referred to as underserved communities—often face transportation barriers resulting from decades of car-oriented planning. This has left lower-cost modes such as public transit, walking, and cycling unsafe or unavailable, resulting in widespread travel difficulties and unmet mobility needs that are challenging to measure. To understand how people are navigating these challenges, we surveyed 2,892 residents from underserved communities in California. Centering the experiences of people often underrepresented in travel behavior surveys, this study provides insights into the main factors linked to difficult or unmet travel, how people adapt to these challenges, and the barriers they face. Our findings provide evidence to inform the design of equitable transportation solutions that can improve mobility and access for California’s Priority Populations—groups that are State priorities for investments...

Migration: The Biology of Life on the Move (Second Edition)

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Migration is a dramatic behaviour distinct from other movements. It is an important component of life histories of biodiverse organisms including terrestrial and marine vertebrates, insects, many invertebrates, and the propagules of some plants. This sequel discusses migration across a wide range of groups and species drawing comparisons to illuminate migratory life cycles and their evolution. It takes an integrative approach to migration as a physiological and behavioural phenomenon with important ecological consequences. Part I defines migration in relation to other movements, provides examples, and includes an updated chapter on recent results from newly developed electronic tracking and other methods. Part II surveys proximate mechanisms including physiology, morphology, constraints, the use of winds and currents, and new discoveries regarding the ability to orient and navigate. Part III on the evolution of migratory life histories is the longest section of the book. It...

Electroacupuncture improves cognitive function and neuropsychiatric symptoms in breast cancer survivors: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

BACKGROUND: We conducted a randomized, double-blinded pilot trial to compare the impact of two electroacupuncture (EA) regimens on co-occurring neuropsychiatric symptoms among breast cancer survivors (BCS). METHODS: BCS who self-reported cognitive impairment, fatigue, insomnia, or psychological distress were randomized (1:1) to receive ten weekly EA to target either neuropsychiatric-specific (nEA) or non-neuropsychiatric-specific (sEA) acupoints. Primary endpoints were the within-group pre-post effect sizes (Glass's Δ) in symptom severities, adjusted for multiple comparisons (p-adjusted). Outcomes were assessed using neurocognitive tests (CANTAB®), PROs (FACT-Cog, MFSI-SF, EORTC QLQ-C30), plasma biomarkers, and neuroimaging. Responders were defined by reliable change index (for objective cognition) or MCID (for PROs). RESULTS: Thirty-five were recruited, with 30 (86%) completing all sessions. The mean (±SD) age was 58.2 (±12.2) years, and 86% reported co-occurring symptoms. Following...

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and cannabinoids in secondhand cannabis smoke

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The legalization of cannabis is exposing more people to secondhand smoke (SHS) generated during cannabis use. Given the serious health effects caused by tobacco SHS, there is a need to assess the potential health effects of exposure to cannabis SHS. As a step toward this, we measured the concentrations of cannabinoids, nicotine and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in air samples collected in public places where cannabis was being consumed. These were compared with concentrations in exhaled aerosols from cannabis smoking and vaping, and in tobacco SHS. Tetrahydrocannabinol concentrations were 22 to 255 µg/m3 in field samples, below the threshold for psychoactive effects. Nicotine concentrations in field samples did not exceed 1 µg/m3. The total PAH concentrations in field samples were from 3.2 to 80.5 ng/m3, depending on location type. By contrast, PAH levels averaged 72 ng/m3 in tobacco SHS and 220 ng/m3 in the more concentrated, exhaled cannabis aerosols. A total of 22...

How Did Travel Change after COVID-19? Insights from Northern California Megaregion

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly changed how people live, work, and travel. These changes influenced travel habits, public transit use, and transportation funding across regions. However, these effects were not the same everywhere; some areas faced major, lasting disruptions, while others experienced smaller impacts and recovered faster. Recognizing these differences is crucial for transportation agencies and policymakers as they prepare for future uncertainties and limited resources. In a large and diverse region like the Northern California Megaregion, with about 13 million people, understanding how and why travel patterns shifted among different communities can help improve long-term planning and system resilience.

Decarbonizing Heavy-Duty Transportation Modes with Electricity, Biofuels, and Hydrogen

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Heavy-duty transportation modes including trucks, buses, and seaport and airport equipment are relatively hard to decarbonize because of their demanding performance requirements and other factors. The California Scoping Plan for Achieving Carbon Neutrality calls for carbon-neutral transportation across all modes by 2045, with different sectors reaching 100% zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales by earlier dates, depending on the type of vehicle (see EO N-79-20). For public transit buses, the state’s Innovative Clean Transit rule requires both large and small transit agencies to cease purchasing combustion engine buses in 2029 in favor of zero-emission (ZE) technologies, with a phased approach that has already commenced. However, for trucks, achieving the transition to ZEVs is more problematic as the state’s Advanced Clean Fleets rule is only applicable to government fleets at present, and the Clean Truck Partnership memorandum of understanding with truck manufacturers is effectively...

New Car Dealers and Retail Innovation in California's Plug-in Vehicle Market

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

New Car Dealers and Retail Innovation in California's Plug-in Vehicle Market

The Effect of Monetary Incentives on Sales of Advanced Clean Cars in the United States: Summary of the Evidence

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Effect of Monetary Incentives on Sales of Advanced Clean Cars in the United States: Summary of the Evidence

Exploring the Effects of Federal Incentives on Consumers' Plug-In Electric Vehicle Purchase Decisions

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Exploring the Effects of Federal Incentives on Consumers' Plug-In Electric Vehicle Purchase Decisions

Driving the Market for Plug-in Vehicles: Understanding Financial Purchase Incentives

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Driving the Market for Plug-in Vehicles: Understanding Financial Purchase Incentives

Incentives to Promote Plug-In Electric Vehicle Adoption: An Introductory Guide

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Incentives to Promote Plug-In Electric Vehicle Adoption: An Introductory Guide

Driving the Market for Plug-in Vehicles: Developing Charging Infrastructure for Consumers

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Driving the Market for Plug-in Vehicles: Developing Charging Infrastructure for Consumers

Evaluating the Impact of High Occupancy Vehicle Lane Access on Plug-in Vehicle in California

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Evaluating the Impact of High Occupancy Vehicle Lane Access on Plug-in Vehicle in California

Improved Energy Feedback to Drivers Can Dramatically Reduce On-road Fuel Consumption

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Improved Energy Feedback to Drivers Can Dramatically Reduce On-road Fuel Consumption

Driving the Market for Plug-in Vehicles: Increasing Consumer Awareness and Knowledge

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Driving the Market for Plug-in Vehicles: Increasing Consumer Awareness and Knowledge

From Data to Decisions: A Road Prioritization Framework for Resilience, Risk, and Fairness

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Ensuring the resilience of urban road networks is essential for public safety and economic stability, especially in cities like Los Angeles that face frequent natural hazards, such as earthquakes, wildfires, and flooding. When making capital investments in such environments, it is equally important to consider fairness in both the decision-making process and its outcomes.In this research study, we developed a data-driven framework and implemented it using a web-based software tool to identify priority road segments for investment. To do this, we rated individual roads on several key attributes, including the importance of the road in the network, level of physical deterioration, and hazard risks such as steep slopes or flood-prone areas. We complemented publicly available data on roads and their attributes with fine-grained “hyperlocal” geospatial information from sensors. Finally, we considered equity by applying socioeconomic indicators of roadway users, which prioritizes roadway...

Dynamic Chemistry and Toxicity of E‑Cigarette Aerosols and Their Product Waste

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The rapid rise of e-cigarette (vape) use over the past decade has raised significant public health and environmental concerns. While marketed as safer alternatives to combustible cigarettes, e-cigarettes generate complex aerosols that expose both users and nonusers to potentially harmful compounds. Vaping produces aerosols containing active ingredients (such as nicotine or cannabinoids), flavoring agents, metals, carbonyls, reactive oxygen species, and ultrafine particles that can deposit throughout the respiratory tract. Beyond direct inhalation, nonusers are also subject to secondhand and thirdhand exposure through inhalation of exhaled aerosols and contact with surface-deposited residues. These aerosols undergo dynamic physicochemical transformations, including gas-particle partitioning, oxidation, and aging processes, that may enhance their toxicity by increasing the abundance of reactive and oxygenated species. Emerging evidence suggests that passive exposure may pose disproportionate...

Interplay of Metals and Organics in E‑Cigarette Aerosols Enhances the Production of Reactive Oxygen Species within Ultrafine Particles: Implications for Passive Vaping Exposures

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Recent work has shown that the atmospheric aging of vaping emissions in indoor environments produces organic hydroperoxides via the ozonolysis of terpene flavoring chemicals. These peroxide species decompose to form radicals upon aqueous dissolution. While the mechanism responsible for producing these radicals has yet to be fully elucidated, one prevailing hypothesis to support this phenomenon is Fenton-like reactions between redox-active metals and peroxides. Vaping emits various redox-active metals, which may play an important role in mediating these types of aqueous reactions. Here, we observed that the production of radicals resulting from the aqueous decomposition of aged e-cigarette aerosols was found to be highly dependent on the presence of redox-active metals, indicating the reliance of Fenton-like reactions on mediating the formation of radicals. Additionally, we observed that peroxides and metals are enriched within the ultrafine particles (UFPs) of aged vaping emissions,...

Sustainable Agriculture Engagement And Adoption On The Central Coast

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The following report chronicles the professional project completed in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Sciences and Management at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. This professional project spanned fifteen months and was conducted with the support of the Sustainable Land Initiative under the supervision of Professor Nicholas Babin. Two educational workshops resulted from the endeavor, thus contributing to the Central Coast’s agriculture community through increased knowledge access and professional networks. Additionally, a two-year road map was developed for future Sustainable Land Initiative events. This plan was intended to be used as a reference point as the organization continues to develop and uplift regenerative farming practices within the region. This report provides the context of the development of the workshops through a literature review, whereas the future outreach plan was informed by survey results...

Navigating Complex Dynamics: Power, Structures, Institutions, And Access In California Climate-Smart Agriculture Programs

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The United States agriculture sector needs to adapt to and mitigate its contributions to climate change, especially with adverse impacts such as intense and frequent drought, flooding, wildfire, and extreme heat that affect crop yields, livestock health, farm infrastructure, and farmer incomes. Recently, federal and state governments have introduced new ‘climate-smart agriculture’ (CSA) policies and programs to help farmers mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from farming operations. However, farmers face persistent barriers to accessing government resources, which necessitates an understanding of power dynamics among CSA program actors and existing institutions and structures in the agricultural sector. I used the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) CSA incentive programs to investigate these dynamics. I examined how farmer access to CSA programs and the broader program goal of GHG mitigation are enabled or constrained by program actors involved in program...

Wine Environmental Portfolio Under Different Price Scenarios

Thu, 9 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Between 1995 and 2014, California wine production increased by 79%. While the industry has made significant efforts to improve environmental performance, existing data on water consumption and $CO_2$ emissions often rely on studies from foreign regions, which may not accurately reflect California's specific production schemes. Because environmental profiles vary widely based on life-cycle factors, this study utilizes Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) to assess the impact of red wine produced on the Central Coast of California under various production scenarios.The cradle-to-gate analysis examined variables including bottle weight reduction, transportation distances, and varying ratios of machine versus hand-harvesting. Results revealed that the bottling process contributes the most significant environmental impacts, accounting for 82.6% of total global warming potential (GWP) and 65.4% of eutrophication potential. Furthermore, transportation and bottle weight are critical factors, contributing...

Overcoming Barriers to Transit-Oriented Development: Considering State, Regional, and Local Roles

Thu, 9 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This report considers motivations, obstacles, and policies and programs adopted at the state, regional, and local levels in California to support transit-oriented development (TOD). Regulatory policies adopted by the state in recent years to induce TOD are discussed, as well as state-led and regionally-managed funding programs. Findings are presented from two on-line surveys of local planning directors, and 51 interviews with regional and local planners. The findings point to multiple obstacles to achieving TOD, including market factors, resident opposition, and lack of sufficient funding for implementation, such as for necessary infrastructure to support new development. The most commonly adopted local policies to support TOD include streamlining of environmental review requirements, mixed-use zoning and upzoning (permitting higher densities), improving bike and pedestrian facilities, development of Specific Plans for neighborhoods, and mechanisms to ease accessory dwelling units...

From Field to Pellets: Life-Cycle Environmental Performance of Aroma Hops and Opportunities for Impact Reduction

Thu, 9 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The hop industry is culturally and economically significant in the United States due to its central role in beer production, yet its environmental impacts remain understudied. To address this gap, this study conducts a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) of aroma hop production, beginning with seedling propagation via tissue culture and ending with packaged hop pellets ready for shipment. Results show that producing 1 kg of aroma hop pellets generates 5.19 kg CO₂-equivalent (kgCO₂e) of potential global warming impact (GWP) and eutrophication (EP) of 15.61 g N-equivalent (gNeq). Farm cultivation represents the largest contributor, accounting for nearly 60% of GWP and over 63% of EP. Scenario analysis indicates that shifting irrigation methods can reduce EP by 17–34% and GWP by 11–20% relative to the baseline. Air drying of hops can further reduce GWP by 24%, while complete reliance on solar energy decreases EP and GWP by 13% and 5%, respectively. The substantial contribution...

Enantioselective Alkylation of Fused Bicyclic Pyridines Enabled by Chiral Lithium Amides as Traceless Auxiliaries

Thu, 9 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Pyridines and nitrogen containing heterocycles comprise a large portion of pharmaceutical compounds and have many practical applications. Herein, we describe a straightforward, enantioselective method for direct alkylation of fused bicyclic pyridines, using chiral lithium amides as traceless auxiliaries. This method is tolerant of a variety of activated electrophiles which can allow for further functionalization.

Sustaining Sustainable Farming: An Evaluation of the Reasoned Action and Comprehensive Action Determination Frameworks for Persistence

Thu, 9 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This paper investigates the persistence of agricultural practices funded by the California Department of Food and Agriculture's Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (CDFA OEFI). The central inquiry revolves around determining the most effective behavior model for analyzing persistence, comparing the Reasoned Action Approach (RAA), Comprehensive Action Determination Model (CADM), and CADM augmented with structural variables. The study's methodology integrates literature review, analysis of OEFI-funded practices, and statistical modeling to assess persistence levels. Contrary to existing literature, our findings reveal significantly higher levels of persistence than anticipated. Moreover, through model comparison, CADM augmented with political economic variables emerges as the superior model for analyzing and predicting persistence in agricultural practices funded by CDFA OEFI. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of behavioral determinants in sustainable agricultural...

San Luis Obispo’s Commitment To Agricultural Land Conservation

Thu, 9 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This is a case study of City Farm SLO.

Autonomous Trucking Combined with Appropriate Policy Could Increase Job Quality, Road Safety, and Commerce

Wed, 8 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

California is considering whether to lift a decade-long ban on heavy-duty autonomous vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds. This decision comes at a time when the state’s goods-movement system faces mounting pressure to improve safety, address labor shortages, remain competitive, and meet climate and economic goals. To better understand these challenges, our team synthesized existing academic research and conducted interviews with 18 experts across industry, labor, and government. A key takeaway from this analysis is that humans will play enduring roles in both traditional and emerging occupations in trucking. Policy choices can influence whether autonomous trucking brings about higher-quality jobs, more efficient commerce, and safer systems as opposed to fragmented industry oversight and job loss without retraining or re-employment.

California’s SB 375 Falls Short in Streamlining Transit-Oriented Development, But this Could be Fixed

Mon, 6 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In California and many other states, new development projects must undergo an environmental impact analysis as part of the approval process. In California, this happens through the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

While CEQA is designed to ensure thoughtful consideration of environmental effects, it can also invite litigation that can delay or derail projects, even for projects that may benefit the environment, such as transit-oriented development (TOD). TOD aims to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and its associated impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), by locating housing, jobs, and amenities near high-frequency public transit. But when environmental review requirements delay or discourage TOD, the result can be to push development to less accessible areas, leading to more driving, more emissions, and fewer housing options—

undermining the very goals CEQA was meant to protect.

Customer-Oriented Open Data Can Help Make Transit More Accessible to Seniors and People with Disabilities

Mon, 6 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Ensuring equitable access to transportation services is critical for supporting the mobility needs of seniors and people with disabilities. In Contra Costa County, California, these populations face significant challenges in finding and using reliable and accessible transit—on demand microtransit services such as paratransit, and other multi-passenger/pooled shuttles or vans—due to the lack of a centralized up-to-date, customer-oriented informational system. These problems are compounded by the difficulties of arranging travel to multiple locations or scheduling trips with different mobility service providers (including paratransit agencies, community-based transit programs, and volunteer drivers programs).

Genetic variations and their interaction with thirdhand smoke exposure on anxiety and memory in Collaborative Cross mice

Mon, 6 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Thirdhand smoke (THS) is linked to adverse health effects, but the effect of genetic variations on behavioral outcomes is poorly understood. To investigate this, we assessed anxiety- and memory-related behaviors in 820 mice from 21 strains of the genetically diverse Collaborative Cross (CC) mouse that were exposed to THS from 4 through 10 weeks of age. Anxiety was evaluated with a light/dark box assay with a previously established risk score system. Females were generally more sensitive: THS reduced anxiety risk in strains CC013, CC019, and CC051, but increased risk in CC036 and CC061, while males showed no significant effects. Memory was tested using passive avoidance: impairments were observed in both sexes in CC016 and CC019, with sex-dependent effects in CC002 and CC051. A genome-wide association study identified 2,347 SNPs associated with anxiety and 1,568 SNPs with memory, with 32 and 85 SNPs, respectively, interacting with THS exposure. Enrichment analyses revealed distinct...

Co-Location of Light-Duty and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure to Promote a Resilient, Cost-Effective Fueling Network in California

Mon, 6 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines whether co-locating stations for light-duty zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) with stations for heavy-duty ZEVs would increase network coverage and improve resiliency to help California achieve its targets for widespread ZEV adoption. The study separately models of siting light-and heavy-duty at the same locations vs. separate locations for (i) electric charging stations and (ii) hydrogen refueling stations. The results indicate electric charging stations in California are being used at only 13% of total capacity. Building out and optimizing the locations of light-duty electric vehicle stations will results in greater demand met and resiliency than will co-locating these at heavy-duty charging stations. On the other hand, co-location of hydrogen refueling stations for light duty vehicles at sites for heavy-duty vehicle stations may increase demand met, network resiliency, and adoption rates of light-and heavy-duty fuel cell electric vehicles. These adoption rates...

Transportation Network Companies Could Be a Cost Effective Alternative to Microtransit in Low-Density Communities

Mon, 6 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Many suburban and rural communities struggle to provide affordable, efficient public transit. Some have replaced underused fixed-route, fixed-schedule public transit with on-demand, door-to-door microtransit services. In some cases, microtransit has provided better service, though it’s only economical when most trips serve multiple riders. In low-demand areas, limited ride consolidation drives costs sharply upward– often exceeding $50 per rider trip. Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), like Uber and Lyft, could help fill this gap. They already provide door-to-door service with extensive driver networks and low overhead. Yet most public-private pilot programs using TNCs to supplement or replace traditional transit have failed to last beyond their initial funding periods.

Customer-Oriented Open Data for Accessible Transit: A Case Study in Contra Costa County