STUDY OF LINK BETWEEN ENERGY SECURITY AND INCREASES IN VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED.

SEC. 1827. STUDY OF LINK BETWEEN ENERGY SECURITY AND INCREASES IN VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED. (a) In General.—The Secretary shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences under which the Academy shall conduct a study to assess the implications on energy use and efficiency of land development patterns in the United States. (b) Scope.—The study shall consider— (1) the correlation, if any, between land development patterns and increases in vehicle miles traveled; (2) whether petroleum use in the transportation sector can be reduced through changes in the design of development patterns; (3) the potential benefits of— (A) information and education programs for State and local officials (including planning officials) on the potential for energy savings through planning, design, development, and infrastructure decisions; (B) incorporation of location efficiency models in transportation infrastructure planning and investments; and (C) transportation policies and strategies to help transportation planners manage the demand for the number and length of vehicle trips, including trips that increase the viability of other means of travel; and (4) such other considerations relating to the study topic as the National Academy of Sciences finds appropriate. (c) Report.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the National Academy of Sciences shall submit to the Secretary and Congress a report on the study conducted under this section.