1950
Total registered vehicles in California exceeds 4.5 million and vehicle miles traveled is 44.5 billion.

More than 100 electric transit systems are replaced with buses in 45 U.S. cities including Los Angeles.

Kern County population was 228,309 people.

1952
Dr. Haagen-Smit discovers the nature and cause of photochemical smog. He determines that nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons in the presence of ultraviolet radiation from the sun forms smog.

1953
Los Angeles County starts "Smoke School Program" for black smoke, beginning the standardization of "Visible Emission Program " nationwide.

1954
The American Association of State Highway Officials published "A Policy on Geometric Design of Rural Highways.

Fifty-four percent of freight shipped by train in the United States

1955
Port Authority of New York published heliport location and design standards.

Air Quality Control Act passed. Required Surgeon General to conduct research to abate air pollution.

The Bay Area APCD is established.

Los Angeles County Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Laboratory begins within the Los Angeles APCD.

Bureau of Air Sanitation is formed within the state Department of Public Health.

1956
Federal Aid Highway Act passed. Created the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways.

First analytical technique for travel forecasting published, "A General Theory of Traffic Movement," by Alan M. Voorhees.

The city of Bakersfield assumed temporary operation and maintenance of the bus system with an option to purchase.

1957
Bakersfield residents approved a charter amendment creating the Bakersfield Transit Authority and authorized the sale of bond in the amount of $395,000 to purchase the Bakersfield Transit Company.

City of McFarland incorporated.

1958
Community of California City established.

First U. S. satellite, Explorer 1, launched at Cape Canaveral, Florida.

1959
National Airport Plan adopted.

California enacts legislation requiring the state Department of Public Health to establish air quality standards and necessary controls for motor vehicle emissions.

1960
In California, total registered vehicles approaches 8 million and vehicle miles traveled is 71 billion.

In California, the Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Board is established. Primary function is to test and certify devices for installation on cars for sale in California.

Federal Motor Vehicle Act passed. Requires federal research to address pollution from motor vehicles.

City of Arvin incorporated.

Kern County population was 291,984 people.

America launches first weather satellite.

1961
Housing Act passed. Provided first federal assistance for mass transit.

1962
Federal Aid Highway Act passed. Created federal mandate for urban transportation planning in U.S. for communities with 50,000 population or greater.

Traffic congestion criteria developed.

John Glenn, Jr. becomes first American to orbit earth.

1963
First Highway Planning Manual published.

PCV requirements go into effect on domestic passenger vehicles for sale in California.

First Federal Clean Act enacted. Empowers the Secretary of the Heath, Education and Welfare to define air quality criteria based on scientific studies. Provides grants to state and local air pollution control agencies.

The Auto Club works with the California Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Board to test emissions on 1000 vehicles.

Streetcar operation ceases in Los Angeles, when the last streetcar pulls into Vernon yards.

1964
Urban Mass Transportation Act passed. Authorized for the first time, up to two-thirds capital grants for mass transit facilities. Defined mass transportation to specifically exclude charter services. Federal assistance could not be used for charter services.

Ninety percent of people in the U.S. travel by private automobile.

City of Ridgecrest incorporated.

Congress adopts the Civil Rights Act.

1965
High Speed Ground Transportation Act passed. Created a research and a demonstration program in high speed ground transportation (included Maglev).

Federal Clean Air Act of 1963 is amended by the Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Control Act. Direct
regulation of air pollution by the federal government is provided for, and the Department of Health, Education and Welfare is directed to establish auto emission standards.

In Bakersfield the operation and control of the transit system was transferred to the city of Bakersfield. The city was considering terminating the system. The Greater Bakersfield Metropolitan Transit Committee was formed to determine how to preserve the system. It was decided that a special district should be formed to take over control and operation of the transit system.

The City of California City incorporated.

Congress adopts the Voting Rights Act.

1966
National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act passed. Established the National Highway Safety Agency in the Department of Commerce. It was designed to coordinate state highway safety programs.

Department of Transportation Act created the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration and Federal Railroad Administration created.

Auto tailpipe emission standards for hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide are adopted by the California Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Board. They are the first in the nation.

California Highway Patrol begins random roadside inspection of vehicle smog control devices.

1967
National Highway Safety Agency established in the Department of Commerce.

Legislation creating the California Air Resources Board is signed into law by Governor Reagan.

Federal Air Quality Act is passed. Establishes framework for defining "air quality control regions" based on meteorological and topographical factors of air pollution. Allows California to set and enforce its own emission standard for new vehicle.

The Automotive Research Center opens to administer testing of vehicle emissions and study air pollution control.

1968
Urban Mass Transit Administration established.

Federal Aid Highway Act established the Traffic Operations Program to Improve Capacity and Safety (TOPICS).

Dr. Haagen-Smit appointed Chairman of the California Air Resources Board by Governor Reagan. First meeting held in Sacramento.

1969
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) passed. Created a national policy to prevent or eliminate damage to the environment.

First state ambient air quality standards are adopted by California for total suspended particulates, photochemical oxidants, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide.

1970
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration established.

Environmental Quality Improvement Act passed. It created the Office of Environmental Quality to assist federal agencies in evaluating programs and promote research on the environment.

Urban Mass Transportation Assistance Act for the first time provided long-term commitment of federal funds to transit operators.

Federal Aid Highway Act established the federal aid urban highway system.

Federal Clean Air Act Amendments passed. Serve as principal source of statutory authority for controlling air pollution. Also establishes basic U.S. program for controlling air pollution.

Total registered vehicles exceed 12 million in California and vehicle miles traveled is 110 billion.

Kern Council of Governments created.

Kern County population was 330,234 people.

1971
Passenger Rail service in the San Joaquin Valley ended. Amtrak established.

California Air Resources Board adopts first automobile nitrogen oxide standard in the nation.

Federal Environmental Protection Agency creates National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulates, photochemical oxidants, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide.

1972
Bay Area Rapid Transit system dedicated as the first "high tech" system.

Urban Mass Transportation Administration issued the External Operating Manual.

In Bakersfield, voters within the proposed transit district approved formation by a 2 to 1 vote.

1973
Federal Aid Highway Act passed. Increased the flexibility on the use of highway funds for urban mass transportation.

Endangered Species Act passed. Enacted to prevent any animal or plant from becoming extinct in the U.S.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) embargoed oil shipments to the U.S.

Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act established an official government allocation plan for gasoline and home heating fuel.

Rehabilitation Act provided that no person should be discriminated against due to a handicap in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

In Bakersfield, Mr. Ivo Keyser was hired as General Manager of the newly formed transit district. The name of the District was changed to the Golden Empire Transit District from the Greater Metropolitan Transit District.

The El Monte Busway, the first carpool lane opens in Southern California along Interstate 10. First available for buses and later opened to carpools with three or more people. The 3M company begins the first vanpool.

1974
National Mass Transportation Assistance Act passed. Authorized for the first time the use of federal funds for transit operating assistance.

Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act established a national 55 mile per hour speed limit to reduce gasoline consumption. Also established National Rideshare Demonstration program.

Amtrak passenger service in the San Joaquin Valley began with a single round trip per day between Oakland and Bakersfield.

The nation's first carpooling agency, the Commuter Computer is formed in Los Angeles. Later renamed Southern California Rideshare.