Reduces pollution and helps meet ambitious state-wide climate change goals. With growing population and travel demand, the state cannot meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals without shifting more trips from automobiles
and airplanes onto cleaner trains, siting destinations closer together to reduce distances, and reducing the need for motorized travel to satisfy short local trips. The rail system is estimated to prevent 3 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually and result in 4 billion fewer vehicle miles traveled on California highways in 2040.