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UVM researchers present county vehicle‑use dashboard to TAC
Summary
University of Vermont researchers demonstrated a dashboard using DMV registration and inspection records to measure vehicle miles traveled, fuel consumption and emissions trends in Chittenden County; presenters noted limitations in EV and out‑of‑county trip tracking and said 2023 data will be added soon.
Clare Nelson of the University of Vermont Transportation Research Center demonstrated a Transportation Sustainability Assessment dashboard to the TAC on Oct. 1 that tracks household vehicle use, energy consumption and emissions trends in Chittenden County using Department of Motor Vehicles registration and inspection data.
Nelson navigated dashboard tabs and graphics and explained how the team uses odometer readings from inspection records and vehicle identification numbers to infer fuel economy. She said the tool can detect trends—such as lower vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in denser areas—but cautioned the data set does not include every vehicle in the county because not all vehicles are inspected or registered and the dashboard does not identify where miles were driven (it attributes use to vehicles registered in Chittenden County).
Committee members asked about tracking electric vehicles and commuting into the county. Nelson said the kilograms of tailpipe CO2 metric does not include EVs but the dashboard contains a separate electricity data set and EV‑related information. She also said the dashboard will be updated annually and that 2023 data should be added in the next couple of months. Members were given a link to explore the dashboard: https://ccrpctranspstats.uvm.edu/.
Staff noted the dashboard has been used to support local climate planning, including work for South Burlington’s Climate Action Plan. Committee members asked clarifying questions about methods and correlations between land use and VMT; Nelson emphasized observed correlations but noted uncertainty about causality.
