There is no doubt that the Los Angeles metropolitan area has one of the most traffic-congested areas in the United States. Anyone who has visited Los Angeles knows that a five-mile drive can easily turn into a 45-minute ordeal. America's second-largest metropolitan area has the most congestion overall, the second-largest number of hours spent in traffic per resident, and the seventh-longest commute (Forbes). Without a doubt, this is a problem, and over the years, the Los Angeles Planning Division has incorporated a variety of techniques to address the problem. However, traffic and congestion persist. It appears that much of the problem stems from Los Angeles' automobile addiction. Los Angeles “is slightly denser than Seattle (which has just over 7,000 people per square mile)…yet a third of Seattle residents bike, walk, or take public transportation to work, more than double that of Los Angeles. Angeles (15.5%)” (Planetizen). Why aren't more Los Angeles residents biking, walking, or taking public transportation, you ask? Could it be that the urban area was designed to be more car dependent? Most Los Angeles planners want to see fewer cars on the streets and more alternative transportation methods. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay However, a recent report by Baruch Feigenbaum suggests that the solution to the congestion is to build a series of new roads and tunnels for the area. In any case, both sides agree that something needs to be done to improve the deadlock. This brings me to my research question: What techniques or methods will reduce car dependency and increase alternative modes of transportation in Los Angeles? Using the best methods from other similar metropolitan areas, I will see what worked and what didn't, and what legal measures were taken to ensure success. I know for sure that expropriation will be a controversial aspect of my research, which is of great interest to me. Overall, the city of Los Angeles has over four million residents, who hate the traffic and congestion of their beautiful city. If decreasing car dependence can improve traffic flow and reduce the chances of road rage, I will consider it a success.