Indicator
Average Daily Winter Traffic Volume, Presidents' Weekend
2019 Evaluation
View in Threshold Dashboard

This indicator measures traffic volumes during the winter months as a proxy for carbon monoxide concentration levels. Carbon monoxide is a public health concern because elevated concentrations affect human and animal health by reducing the supply of oxygen to body tissues. Several factors can influence traffic volumes measured on Presidents’ Day weekend, including weather, economy, and availability of alternative modes of transportation. Current programs and policies such as transit-oriented development and increasing transit service look to reduce traffic volumes. Winter traffic volume is monitored by CalTrans on Highway 50 near Heavenly Village.

Average Daily Winter Traffic Volume, Presidents' Weekend.jpg
Status

Average daily winter traffic volume measured between 4 p.m. and midnight (vehicles/day) on Presidents’ Day Weekend at U.S. Highway 50 and Park Avenue, South Lake Tahoe, California.

Caltrans and TRPA

2019 Evaluation
See how thresholds are evaluated
Status
Considerably Better Than Target
Trend
Little or No Change
Confidence
High
Applicable Standard
AQ2: Reduce traffic volumes on the U.S. 50 Corridor by 7 percent during the winter from the 1981 base year between 4:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight, provided that those traffic volumes shall be amended as necessary to meet the respective state standards.
Key Points
  • Presidents' weekend winter traffic volumes at Highway 50 and Park Avenue have decreased significantly since 1981, and the standard has been in attainment since 1996.
  • Traffic volumes in 2020 were 43% lower than in 1981 and less than half of peak volumes observed in 1987.
  • Since the Heavenly Gondola opened in 2000, Presidents' weekend winter traffic volumes have average just over 16,000 (relative to the threshold standard of 24,000).
Evaluation Map
Description

The location of the winter traffic volume monitor on Highway 50 near Heavenly Village.

About the Threshold
This indicator measures traffic volumes during the winter months and provides a proxy measure of carbon monoxide concentration levels according to TRPA Resolution 82-11.
Several factors can influence traffic volumes measured on Presidents’ Day weekend, including weather, economy, and availability of alternative modes of transportation. In winter 2001/2002, Heavenly Resort improved its free skier shuttle services and installed a Gondola near the site where traffic volumes are measured. It is presumed that the continuing availability of these alternative modes of transportation and the Gondola project have helped reduce traffic volumes to a level below the TRPA threshold standard.
Delivering and Measuring Success

Local and Regional Plans

  • Main Street Management Plan

    This plan was adopted as mitigation for US 50 South Shore Community Revitalization Project. The partnership is seeking funding to implement the plan and its trip reduction measures.

Monitoring Programs

Rationale Details
In the most recent year where data is available, 2018, there was a count of 14,284 vehicles, which is 59% of the 24,000 vehicle threshold standard. Therefore, the status is considerably better than target.
Traffic counts have decreased significantly since the standard was adopted. The standard has remained in attainment since 1996, and volumes in the 2018 were similar to the volumes observed since the opening of the Heavenly gondola.
Confidence Details
High. Counts are taken using the best available science.
High. Counts have been taken in the same manner year after year and there is a statistically significant trend.
High.
Additional Figures and Resources

No photos available.

No documents available.