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p) Auto Availability - SOCF reported that in 1960 there were 12 , 933 vehicles registered in Orange County with a ratio of 3 . 32 persons per vehicle . By 1990 , there were 65 , 900 vehicles with a ratio of 1 . 57 persons per vehicle . q) Modal Choice - SOCF reported that U . S . Census data for 1980 showed that approximately 60 % of the County ' s working population drove to work alone, 23 % carpooled and the other 17 % used public transit, walked, motorcycled, or bicycled . But by 1990 , 72 % of the working population drove alone and only 14 % carpooled . r) Vehicle Miles Traveled - SOCF also reported that the total number of vehicle miles - - traveled (VMT) on Orange County roads increased by 80 % from 1 , 727 , 000 in 1987 to 3 , 114 , 000 in 1997 . When SOCF accounted for population growth during the period, the actual percent increase in average daily VMT was estimated to be 43 % . In 1997 , per capita VMT averaged 28 miles per person per day compared to 20 miles per person per day in 1987 . The importance of mobile sources in the County was demonstrated in the Air Quality summary that was prepared by the SOCF ( available on the Internet at www . co . orange . nc . us/shaping/profileI /airqual . htm) . Data from the NC Division of Air Quality, source data from 1990 , 1994 , and 1995 , and EPA mobile source models were used to estimate and break down sources of emissions of nitrogen oxides in Orange County. The SOCF results are reproduced in Figures 2 - 1 and 2 .2 . They demonstrate that on-road mobile sources are the most significant source of emissions of nitrogen oxides in the County. This is significant because NO ,, is an ozone precursor . Relative to stationary sources , mobile sources are likely to continue to be much more important when addressing air quality concerns in the County. The data suggest that the County can have the greatest impact on air quality by addressing transportation issues in the County and Triangle Region , 2 . 5 Regional Air Quality It is well recognized that air pollution does not recognize government boundaries . Pollutants such as S02 , particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides may travel great distances from the sources . Ground level ozone formation may result from nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated from upwind mobile or stationary sources . It is , therefore, essential that air quality be addressed at a regional level . Even if ozone levels in Orange County were to remain below the primary national ambient air quality standards , pollutants generated in the County may contribute to ozone formation in adjacent counties . It is imperative that Orange County citizens and government address air quality issues that affect the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill MSA and rest of the state . 9