In the area of transportation, respondents ranked their satisfaction with the overall quality (performance and reliability) at 5.9, with affordability scoring a slightly more favorable 6.5.  In a vote of confidence for improving mobility, LA County taxpayers passed Measure M in 2016 that will fuel vast improvements to transportation infrastructure for decades to come.Metro keeps LA moving

In the utility sector, only 48% of respondents feel their regular water bill is affordable, but they remain 'very satisfied' with the reliability of their water utility (8.0). Electric utility reliability fared less favorably at 6.4 due to seasonal power outages, with the majority of respondents indicating they experienced at least one power outage in their residence or neighborhood in the past 12 months.  At the same time, only 39% of respondents feel their regular electricity bill is affordable.  These outcomes demonstrate the challenges of balancing the costs associated with ensuring infrastructure reliability with efforts to remain a leader in creating renewable energy and a sustainable water system.

Respondents are split on the issue of paying higher taxes to fund infrastructure improvements, with 35% in disagreement and 41% in agreement — which ranked just above the global average (37% in agreement). It’s important to note that since 2016, LA County voters have approved multiple new tax measures for transportation, water, parks, and homelessness – so this sentiment may indicate voter fatigue for new taxes.

Also related to funding, 64% of LA respondents agree that the private sector should have a greater role in infrastructure development.  In parallel, city leaders are pursuing more public-private partnerships throughout the region. Examples include two substantial capital improvement projects at Los Angeles International Airport, the redevelopment of multiple civic facilities, and joint development of underutilized public land near transit stations.

These findings align with the direction LA leaders are heading. In energy, the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power's (LADWP) power mix includes 50% from carbon-free energy sources, with 30% generated by renewable energy. As LA continues to pursue a renewable energy agenda, advancements in power reliability and storage will be critical. LADWP has a number of innovative projects intended to increase its renewable energy portfolio, coupled with a goal to considerably increase its total of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations to 10,000 across the city. 

In transportation infrastructure, an automated people mover is beginning construction at Los Angeles International Airport, which will feed directly to Metro’s expanding rail network and create a valuable mass transit connection to one of the world’s busiest airports.