[sustran] Media Notice: New Studies Evaluate Rail Transit Benefits and Criticisms

[Todd Alexander Litman]

MEDIA NOTICE
For Immediate Release
26 October 2004


New studies by the Victoria Transport Policy Institute evaluate rail 
transit benefits and criticisms.

“Rail Transit In America: Comprehensive Evaluation of Benefits” evaluates 
rail transit benefits based on a comprehensive analysis of transportation 
system performance in 130 U.S. cities. It finds that cities with large, 
well-established rail systems have:
·       Lower per-capita traffic congestion costs.
·       Lower per-capita traffic fatalities.
·       Lower per capita consumer transportation expenditures.
·       Higher per capita transit ridership.
·       Higher transit commute mode split.
·       Lower transit operating costs per passenger-mile.
·       Higher transit service cost recovery.


This study found that residents in cities with large, well-established rail 
transit systems experience about half the per capita traffic congestion 
delay as people who live in comparable size cities that lack rail. This 
occurs because residents of rail transit cities drive fewer annual miles 
and have an effective alternative when traveling on the most congested 
corridors. Cities with large rail systems have about a third lower per 
capita traffic fatality rates, resulting in an estimated 250 avoided deaths 
annually in the U.S. Residents of these cities save approximately $450 
annually per capita in transportation costs compared with consumers living 
in cities that lack rail systems.

The study concludes that rail transit service costs are repaid several 
times over by reduced congestion, road and parking facility costs, reduced 
traffic accident costs, and consumer cost savings.

“Rail Transit In America” is available at http://www.vtpi.org/railben.pdf
The executive summary is available at http://www.vtpi.org/railbensum.pdf



“Evaluating Rail Transit Criticism” examines claims that rail transit is 
ineffective at improving transportation system performance, that rail 
transit investments are not cost effective, and that transit is an outdated 
form of transportation. It finds that critics often misrepresent issues and 
use biased and inaccurate analysis.

“Evaluating Rail Transit Criticism” is available at 
http://www.vtpi.org/railcrit.pdf



“Evaluating Public Transit Benefits and Costs: Best Practices Guidebook” 
describes how to accurately evaluate the full impacts (benefits and costs) 
of a particular transit service or improvement. It identifies various 
categories of impacts and how to measure them. It discusses how to avoid 
common errors made in transit evaluation.

“Evaluating Public Transit Benefits and Costs” is available at 
http://www.vtpi.org/tranben.pdf


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According to study author Todd Litman, “Our research indicates that quality 
public transit provides significant benefits, including congestion 
reduction, road and parking facility cost savings, consumer cost savings, 
reduced traffic accidents and basic mobility for non-drivers. It can 
increase economic productivity, community livability, and property values. 
Quality transit service is expensive to build, but the costs tend to be 
more than offset by incremental economic benefits.”

“When critics conclude that rail transit is ineffective and wasteful, the 
failure is often in their analysis. Either from ignorance or intention, 
critics fail to use best practices when evaluating transit,” says Litman.


*       *       *

For information contact: Todd Litman
Victoria Transport Policy Institute
Email: litman at vtpi.org
Phone: 250-360-1560
Fax: 250-360-1560
Website: www.vtpi.org


*       *       *       *       *       *       *
The Victoria Transport Policy Institute is an independent research 
organization dedicated to developing innovative transportation analysis and 
problem solving. The VTPI website (www.vtpi.org) has many resources 
addressing a wide range of transport planning and policy issues.



PLEASE FORWARD TO ANYBODY INTERESTED IN THESE ISSUES




Sincerely,
Todd Litman, Director
Victoria Transport Policy Institute
"Efficiency - Equity - Clarity"
1250 Rudlin Street
Victoria, BC, V8V 3R7, Canada
Phone & Fax: 250-360-1560
Email: litman at vtpi.org
Website: http://www.vtpi.org