Driving Change in San Bernardino: SBCTA Launches First-of-its-Kind VMT Mitigation Bank
January 2026
For decades, California assessed transportation impacts based on "Level of Service" (LOS), a metric that prioritized traffic flow and often led to road widening. With the implementation of Senate Bill 743 (SB 743), the state fundamentally shifted its focus to Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), aligning transportation planning with climate goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
To help the region adapt to this rigorous new regulatory landscape, the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) has selected HNTB Corporation and Carma Technology Corporation to design and operate the GoMoneyMiles VMT Mitigation Bank Pilot.
The Challenge: Compliance in a Post-SB 743 World
Under the new California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, land developers and transportation agencies must calculate the VMT their projects generate and implement mitigation strategies. However, mitigating VMT on-site is often technically difficult or cost-prohibitive, potentially stalling vital housing and infrastructure development.
The Solution: A "Cap-and-Trade" Market for Traffic
SBCTA’s VMT Mitigation Bank offers an innovative solution: a regional marketplace where verifiable VMT reductions are "banked" as credits. Operating similarly to a carbon offset market, this system allows developers to purchase credits to offset their project's environmental impact, while simultaneously rewarding the public for sustainable travel behavior.
How It Works: "Drive Less. Earn More."
For Commuters (Credit Generators) Commuters in San Bernardino County participate via the GoCarma smartphone app.
Automatic Verification: Using GPS and motion sensors, the app automatically detects when a user shifts from driving alone during their commute to/from work. Amy form of sustainable travel qualifies, such as carpooling, taking public transit, biking, walking, or teleworking.
Real Rewards: Commuters earn financial incentives—delivered as Visa e-gift cards—for every verified VMT-mitigating trip.
Privacy First: The system aggregates data to protect user privacy, ensuring individual trip details are never shared with employers or third parties.
For Developers (Credit Purchasers) Through a secure web portal, developers and agencies can browse available VMT credits.
Compliance: The system provides a "defensible path to CEQA transportation mitigation," creating an audit-ready trail of VMT reductions.
Transparency: An automated credit ledger tracks the generation, purchase, and retirement of credits, ensuring they are "real, additional, and enforceable".
A Model for the Future
This pilot represents the first operational VMT Bank of its kind in California. By monetizing the reduction of driving, SBCTA is not only facilitating regulatory compliance for developers but also directly investing in the community. The pilot is funded by a $2 million Federal Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) grant and is scheduled for a full public launch in May 2026.
Through this partnership, SBCTA, HNTB, and Carma are establishing a scalable framework that balances economic development with California’s ambitious climate resilience goals.