[sustran] VTPI News - Autumn 2006
Todd Alexander Litman
litman at vtpi.org
Wed Dec 20 23:12:51 JST 2006
-----------
VTPI NEWS
-----------
Victoria Transport Policy Institute
"Efficiency - Equity - Clarity"
-------------------------------------
Autumn 2006 Vol. 9, No. 4
-----------------------------------
The Victoria Transport Policy Institute is an independent research
organization dedicated to developing innovative solutions to
transportation problems. The VTPI website (http://www.vtpi.org ) has
many resources addressing a wide range of transport planning and
policy issues. VTPI also provides consulting services.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ONLINE TDM ENCYCLOPEDIA
========================
The VTPI "Online TDM Encyclopedia"
(<http://www.vtpi.org/tdm>http://www.vtpi.org/tdm ) is a
comprehensive information resource to help identify and evaluate
innovative management solutions to transport problems, available for
free on our website. We continually update and expand the Encyclopedia.
As always, we appreciate feedback. Please let us know if you have
suggestions for improving the Encyclopedia or our other resources.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEW DOCUMENTS
==============
The following are newly released VTPI publications.
"Mobility As A Positional Good: Implications for Transport Policy and
Planning,"
(<http://www.vtpi.org/prestige.pdf>http://www.vtpi.org/prestige.pdf ).
'Positional' (also called 'prestige') goods confer status of their
consumers. However, this increased status is offset by reduced status
to others, resulting in no net benefit to society overall. As wealth
increases so does the portion of consumption motivated by positional
value. Many mobility-related goods and services have positional
value, including vehicle ownership and use, and exotic holidays. This
paper investigates how positional value affects transportation
decisions, explores the resulting economic impacts, and discusses
implications for transport policy and planning.
"Community Cohesion As A Transport Planning Objective,"
(http://www.vtpi.org/cohesion.pdf )
This paper, to be presented at the 2007 TRB Annual Meeting,
investigates the concept of 'community cohesion' (the quantity and
quality of positive interactions among people in a community),
describes the value it provides to society, discusses how it is
affected by transport planning decisions, and describes strategies to
help increase community cohesion.
"Review of U.S. and European Regional Modeling Studies of Policies
Intended to Reduce Motorized Travel, Fuel Use, and Emissions,"
(<http://www.vtpi.org/johnston.pdf>http://www.vtpi.org/johnston.pdf
), by Professor Robert A. Johnston.
This paper reviews the experience to date in dozens of metropolitan
regions and advanced industrial economies as they have used scenario
planning to evaluate an array of strategies available to help states
and regions satisfy this new federal legal requirement.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATED DOCUMENTS
==============
We are in the process of updating our report, "Transportation Cost
And Benefit Analysis" (http://www.vtpi.org/tca ), including chapters
on Vehicle Costs, Congestion, Travel Time, Parking, Accidents, Air
Pollution and Noise.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PUBLISHED ELSEWHERE
Below are recently published reports and articles.
"The GPI Transportation Accounts: Sustainable Transportation for Nova
Scotia - Measuring Sustainable Development, Application Of The
Genuine Progress Index To Nova Scotia," GPI Atlantic
(http://www.gpiatlantic.org ), by Aviva Savelson, Ronald Colman, Todd
Litman, Sally Walker, and Ryan Parmenter.
This comprehensive (560-page) report assesses the sustainability of
the transportation system using 20 key indicators and numerous
sub-indicators, and examines 15 different cost categories to assess
the true cost of passenger road transport in Nova Scotia. The study
also provides recommendations for making transportation more
efficient, affordable and sustainable. Below are some media reports:
"Transportation Costs Too High in NS," CBC
(<http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2006/11/29/transportation-gpi.html>http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2006/11/29/transportation-gpi.html
), 29 Nov. 2006.
"It's Expensive to Get Around: Transportation Single Largest Cost
Faced by Nova Scotians, report says," ChronicalHerald
(<http://www.herald.ns.ca/Business/544156.html>http://www.herald.ns.ca/Business/544156.html
), 30 Nov. 2006.
"Changing Travel Demand: Implications for Transport Planning," ITE
Journal (<http://www.ite.org/>www.ite.org), September 2006, pp.
27-33; based on "The Future Isn't What It Used To Be"
(http://www.vtpi.org/future.pdf ).
"Parking Management Best Practices," Planning, Vol. 72, No. 9
(<http://www.planning.org/>www.planning.org), October 2006, pp.
40-45; based on "Parking Management Strategies"
(http://www.vtpi.org/park_man.pdf ).
"Pegging the Optimal Parking Supply: Conventional Planning Theory
Overstates Requirements," Canadian Property Management
(http://www.mediaedge.ca/publications/cpm.htm ), Vol. 21, No. 7, Nov.
2006, pp. 47-49.
"Issues in Sustainable Transportation," International Journal of
Global Environmental Issues
(<http://www.inderscience.com/>www.inderscience.com), Vol. 6, No. 4,
2006, pp. 331-347, with David Burwell; available at
http://www.vtpi.org/sus_iss.pdf .
"A Report On The Estimation Of Unit Values Of Land Occupied By
Transportation Infrastructures In Canada," Transport Canada
(<http://www.tc.gc.ca/pol/en/aca/fci/transmodal/menu.htm>http://www.tc.gc.ca/pol/en/aca/fci/transmodal/menu.htm),
2006, with Clarence Woudsma and Glen Weisbrod. This report provides
unit cost values (by square meter) of land occupied by the
different transportation infrastructure in Canada in the framework
of the Full-Cost Investigation of Transportation project. It is part
of a major transportation cost study sponsored by Transport Canada.
Nolberto Munier (editor), "Handbook on Urban Sustainability,"
Springer
(http://www.springer.com/west/home/social+sciences?SGWID=4-40384-22-173675147-0
), 2006. This book, written by worldwide specialists, is a guide to
establishing a city on a sustainable path. It addresses sustainable
urban planning issues by breaking the city down to its main
components. It takes the reader from grass-roots level to completion
of an urban sustainability plan, with comprehensive knowledge of
urban sustainability issues, and provides detailed case studies. Todd
Litman wrote a chapter on 'Urban Transportation Management.'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BEEN THERE/DONE THAT
=====================
VTPI presented papers at the following events:
"Future of Urban Transportation" Eno Forum, December 6-7. The Eno
Foundation (http://www.enotrans.com ) invited numerous experts to
discuss future urban transport problems and policy options. Forum
papers are posted at
http://www.enotrans.com/Policy%20Forums/PolicyForums.htm . Todd
Litman's paper, "Energy and Environment: Implications For Urban
Transportation Policy And Planning" is also available at
http://www.vtpi.org/energy_env.pdf .
RailVolution, Chicago, Nov. 4-8, including presentations on rail
transit benefits, parking management and energy trends, available at
http://www.railvolution.com/2006conferencepapers.html .
New Zealand Walking Conference, 3 - 4 Nov, Christchurch, New Zealand
(http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/walking_2006.htm ). Presentations
and papers are available on their website.
CIVITAS Forum, Burgos (Spain) from 25 to 27 September 2006.
Attended by over 300 representatives from local and regional
authorities, officials from four Directorate Generals of the European
Commission and representatives from the Intelligent Energy Europe
Agency. Presentations and the conference report are available on the
CIVITAS website
<http://www.civitas-initiative.eu/download_center.phtml?lan=en>http://www.civitas-initiative.eu/download_center.phtml?lan=en
.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPCOMING EVENTS
================
VTPI will present papers at these upcoming events:
Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting (www.trb.org )
TITLE: "Economic Development Impacts of Transportation Demand
Management" (07-2719)
SESSION 259; Transportation and Economic Development; Monday, January
22, 2007; 9:30am-12:00pm; Hilton, International Center
TITLE: "Are Rail Transit Investments Worthwhile?" - A Discussion
Paper (07-2811)
SESSION 285; Assessing the Impact of Gas Prices on Transit Ridership
and Enhancing Regional Transit Planning; Monday, January 22, 2007;
10:15am-12:00pm; Hilton, Hemisphere
TITLE: "Community Cohesion as a Transportation Planning Objective" (P07-0550)
SESSION 341; Community Impact Assessment: Current Practices, Tools,
and Case Studies; Monday, January 22, 2007; 2:30pm- 5:00pm; Hilton,
International Center
TITLE: "Developing Indicators for Comprehensive and Sustainable
Transport Planning" (07-2706)
SESSION 458; Environment and Energy; Tuesday, January 23,
2007; 9:30am-12:00pm; Hilton, International Center
TITLE: "Evaluating Parking Management Benefits" (07-1581)
SESSION 553; New International Research in Transportation Demand and
Parking Management; Tuesday, January 23, 2007; 2:30pm- 5:00pm;
Hilton, International Center
"National Conference on Disaster Planning for the Carless Society"
(http://www.carlessevacuation.org ), to be held in New Orleans, Feb.
8 & 9, 2007. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita revealed how vulnerable
carless residents are in emergency situations. Evacuation plans in
most major cities across America fail to adequately take into account
the needs of the elderly, disabled, and transit dependent
populations. The goal of this conference is to bring together
government officials, professionals, and experts to discuss how we
can better prepare for those that are in most need. This conference
will seek to better integrate the fields of transportation planning,
emergency management, and health care.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
USEFUL RESOURCES
=================
CNT (2006), "Paved Over: Surface Parking Lots or Opportunities for
Tax-Generating, Sustainable Development?"
(http://www.cnt.org/repository/PavedOver-Final.pdf ), Center for
Neighborhood Technology. This study evaluates the potential economic
and social benefits of converting surface parking lots around rail
transit stations into mixed-use, pedestrian friendly,
transit-oriented developments, including affordable housing. Provides
case studies of nine suburban communities with rail transit service.
Queensland Transport Pedestrian Home Page
(http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/pedestrian ) contains various
pedestrian planning and evaluation tools, including a Pedestrian
Safety and Accessibility Audit Kit, pedestrian behaviour observation
sheet, a walking audit checklist and a pedestrian questionnaire.
"WalkIt: The Walking Resources Database" (http://www.walkit.info )
provides extensive resources for pedestrian planning.
Rod Eddington (2006), "The Case For Action: Sir Rod Eddington's
Advice to Government- Transport's Role in Sustaining the UK's
Productivity and Competitiveness,"
(<http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/independent_reviews/eddington_transport_study/eddington_index.cfm>http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/independent_reviews/eddington_transport_study/eddington_index.cfm
).
Desmon Brown (2006), "Urban Public Bus Transportation In Developing
Countries: A Roadmap For Successful Planning,"
(<http://www.desmonbrown.com/>http://www.desmonbrown.com ). This
easy-to-read book provides practical guidance to planners and
advocates for improving public bus transportation services,
particularly in developing countries.
SUTP-Asia (http://www.sutp.org ) recently upgraded their website. It
is a partnership between the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), the
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the
Pacific (UN-ESCAP) and CITYNET, which aims to help developing cities
to achieve their sustainable transport goals, though the
dissemination of information about international experience and
targeted work with particular cities.
The New Mobility Agenda: The Politics of Transportation: New Thinking
& World-wide Collaborative Problem-Solving
(http://www.ecoplan.org/wtpp/wt_index.htm ) is a collaborative
international program to develop new solutions to transport problems.
It includes numerous tools for improving transport sustainability.
Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Sustainability Program
Website
(<http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/SUS/>http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/SUS ) is
now operational. This site contains information about sustainability
and the sustainability program development process.
"Urban Transportation: A Question of Health," Agence de la Sante et
des Services Sociaux de Montreal
(<http://www.santepub-mtl.qc.ca/Publication/rapportannuel/2006/annualreport2006.pdf>http://www.santepub-mtl.qc.ca/Publication/rapportannuel/2006/annualreport2006.pdf
)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please let us know if you have comments or questions about any
information in this newsletter, or if you would like to be removed
from our email list. And please pass this newsletter on to others who
may find it useful.
Sincerely,
Todd Alexander Litman
Victoria Transport Policy Institute (www.vtpi.org)
litman at vtpi.org
Phone & Fax 250-360-1560
1250 Rudlin Street, Victoria, BC, V8V 3R7, CANADA
"Efficiency - Equity - Clarity"
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20061220/67c10092/attachment.html
More information about the Sustran-discuss
mailing list