From carlos.pardo at gtz.de Fri Aug 1 04:36:38 2008 From: carlos.pardo at gtz.de (Pardo Carlosfelipe GTZ CO) Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:36:38 -0500 Subject: [sustran] [Fwd: International Seminar-cum-Workshop on "BRT Systems in India and Abroad" from 24th to 26th September, 2008 at Visakhapatnam, India] Message-ID: <48921446.6090001@gtz.de> For Indian and Asian interested professionals, info below. -------- Original Message -------- Subject: International Seminar-cum-Workshop on "BRT Systems in India and Abroad" from 24th to 26th September, 2008 at Visakhapatnam, India Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:34:05 -0400 From: To: , , , , , CC: , , , , , , , , , , , , Dear all, The Indo-German Institute of Advanced Technology and Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering in collaboration with the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation have organized an International Seminar?cum-Workshop on "BRT Systems in India and Abroad" from 24^th to 26^th September, 2008 at Visakhapatnam, India. Administrator James Simpson of the Federal Transit Administration is scheduled to speak on the first day of the seminar (September 24). Information about Seminar/Workshop is available at the following website addresses: _www.gvpcoeedu.org/brts.html_ ; _www.igiat.com/brts.html_ ; and _www.vskpbrts.com_ You may wish to consider giving the event wide exposure through your website(s), emails or other means. Thanks Venkat Pindiprolu Team Leader, Service Innovation Team (TRI-12) Office of Mobility Innovation Federal Transit Administration 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E., East Bldg., E43-452 Washington, DC 20590 Tel: 202 366-8061 Fax: 202 366-3765 E-Mail:// _venkat.pindiprolu@dot.gov_ Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH; Sitz der Gesellschaft/Registered Office Eschborn/Taunus, Germany; Registergericht/Registered at Amtsgericht Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Eintragungs-Nr./Registration no. HRB 12394; Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrates/Chairman of the Supervisory Board: Erich Stather, State Secretary; Geschaeftsfuehrer/Managing Directors: Dr. Bernd Eisenblaetter, Wolfgang Schmitt From carlosfpardo at gmail.com Fri Aug 1 05:57:42 2008 From: carlosfpardo at gmail.com (Carlosfelipe Pardo) Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:57:42 -0500 Subject: [sustran] Re: Public bicycle planning, priorities, strategies In-Reply-To: <002501c8ee35$b2f18830$18d49890$@britton@ecoplan.org> References: <002501c8ee35$b2f18830$18d49890$@britton@ecoplan.org> Message-ID: <48922746.2030101@gmail.com> (answering a pretty old post) Hi, We've been having a similar discussion in Bogot? last week in an event. There are various groups who intend to develop a public bicycle project, but they have very little idea of what this entails. This goes to the extent that they want to replicate exactly what has been done in Barcelona, with no attention to either contextual differences (Bogot? is pretty different from Barcelona!!) or to the environment in which these public bicycles would start operations. They have no concern for other urban transport- related issues such as the ones Eric has mentioned below, and they think that a public bike system is extremely simple (I have gone to the extreme of telling them that it's another public transport system and should be planned just as carefully). I am also a bit afraid that people may continue the fashion-like trend of applying public bike schemes without taking into account the complete issue. As Stephen notes, it may distract people of the big picture. *But*... on the other hand, it may be used as a tool to make them aware of the real problems of urban transport which go way past an interesting trend such as Velib. I think a similar issue happens with some BRT systems when being implemented (planning is only done for the BRT and no attention is given to the city's urban transport as a whole). Best regards, Carlos. Eric Britton wrote: > This is an important point Stephen, and let me see if I can reassure a bit. > > > With a couple of dozen public bike projects already rolling on the street in > quite a range of different cities, configurations and cycling environments, > and with literally hundreds of cities and consultants raking through all > this with a view to developing sound plans for their own projects, one point > concerning policy and practice is soaring above all the rest. > > > And that is that if any city or group tries to put on the street a public > bike project with broad public access without first ensuring at least > minimum conditions for safe cycling, this is not only a gross error but also > in fact a criminal act. Why? Well, because cyclists who are all of a sudden > launched into a ?car-war? environment are going to be injured and killed in > numbers way above the historic statistical mean. > > > > 1. The supporting infrastructure must be there ? and it must match with > the travel patterns of city cyclists > > 2. This infrastructure must be carefully maintained to a high standard > > 3. It must be properly signed and marked (street paint, etc.) > > 4. The streets on which the cyclists transit must be adequately > protected by the police > > 5. Effective educational campaigns must be launched, both for cyclists > and for motorists > > 6. (And I believe personally that those people who make these decisions > should use the system only a daily basis themselves ? thus ensuring the > tightest possible feedback loops if and when any troubles or anomalies > surface) > > > > That I can safely offer is the state of the art as of 25 July 2008, and > anyone who launches a project without ensuring these preparations is not > only behind the curve, but dangerously behind the curve. > > > > The second part of this informal answer to your concern, is that a very > significant impact of public bike projects got right, is that they bring > more cyclists out on the street, which gives you both (a) strength in > numbers and (b) a proportionately higher profile for cycling which in turn > gets both media and policy attention. This is a very positive synergy and if > you look at the leading city bike projects you can see it at work. > > > > You last point: about how to make this work in ?poor countries? is something > on which we a number of others are currently working. Stay tuned. > > > > Eric Britton > > > > > > > > From: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com > [mailto:NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Stephen Plowden > Sent: Friday, 25 July 2008 07:09 > To: No Reply; NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [NewMobilityCafe] Public bicycle strategies for troubled > communities > > > > Much as I admire the Velib and other similar initiatives, I am concerned > that the emphasis on public bikes may distract attention from the more > important issue of how to ensure safe and agreeable conditions for people to > use their own bikes, wich most people even in poor countries can afford. > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com > > To: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com > > Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2008 6:00 PM > > Subject: [NewMobilityCafe] Digest Number 1155 > > > > The > MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzEwODg3ODkEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA3MjA1OTU0BHNlYwNoZHIEc2xrA2hwaARz > dGltZQMxMjE2OTE4ODU0> New Mobility Idea Factory > > > Messages In This Digest (1 Message) > > > 1a. > > Public bicycle <> strategies for troubled communities From: > Andrew_Curran@translink.bc.ca] > > View > 4BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzEwODg3ODkEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA3MjA1OTU0BHNlYwNkbXNnBHN > sawNhdHBjBHN0aW1lAzEyMTY5MTg4NTU-?xm=1&m=p&tidx=1> All Topics | Create > TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzEwODg3ODkEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA3MjA1OTU0BHNlYwNkbXNnBHNsawN > udHBjBHN0aW1lAzEyMTY5MTg4NTU-> New Topic > > > Message > > > 1a. > > > Public > ya3RoBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzEwODg3ODkEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA3MjA1OTU0BG1zZ0lkAzI > 4OTkEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIxNjkxODg1NQ--> bicycle strategies > for troubled communities > > > Posted by: "Andrew_Curran@translink.bc.ca]" Andrew_Curran@translink.bc.ca] > fekbritton > > > > Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:52 pm (PDT) > > > Curran, Andrew [mailto:Andrew_Curran@translink.bc.ca > ] > Sent: Wednesday, 23 July 2008 19:04 > > In speaking with some colleagues from Mexico City who are considering a > Public Bicycle System, one of the main challenges is that credit card use is > not widespread and the majority of the population does not have any readily > available collateral to offer up as a guarantee that they will return the > bicycle. This challenge is the same for many cities in the Global South and > for poorer parts of wealthy cities. If a PBS is implemented in cities where > only a wealthy minority has access to the bicycles they will be the target > of serious resentment, vandalism and theft. > > Perhaps some kind of Grameen Bank-style model might work? > > The Grameen Bank provides micro-loans to poor women with no conventional > collateral. The women organize into homogeneous 5-person "self-help" groups > (to facilitate group solidarity). These primary groups of 5 are then > federated into local centres which are affiliated with the central Grameen > Bank. One woman in the group at a time is granted a small loan to undertake > a quick income generating activity of her choosing. The next woman in the > group is only eligible for a subsequent loan once the first woman repays her > loan. The Bank achieves close to a 99% repayment rate (far better than > conventional banks). The entire system works based on credit discipline > through collective borrower responsibility and peer pressure. > > More info: > > http://www.grameen-info.org/ > > http://www.grameen-info.org/grameen/gtrust/replication.html > > In a Grameen-style Public Bicycle System, users could organize into groups > of 5-10 and if one user fails to return a bicycle - their entire group is > responsible? Either the entire group would need to chip in and pay the lost > bike charge or the entire group would lose their bicycle privileges? It's > not as clean or as obviously work-able as the Bank model but perhaps there > is a seed of something here? Is there some way to set up a sustainable PBS > where bicycles are returned based on collective borrower responsibility and > peer pressure (as opposed to un-collectable fines or the heavy hand of the > law)? > > Any other ideas to address this challenge? > > Cheers, > > Andrew > > _____ > > From: WorldCityBike@yahoogroups.com > [mailto:WorldCityBike@yahoogroups.com > ] > On Behalf Of Eric Britton > Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 1:45 AM > To: worldcitybike@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [WorldCityBike] Public bicycle strategies for troubled communities > > Dear friends, > > Here is an idea I would like to see if we can perhaps develop together, and > suggest that we do this in the new mobility caf? ? i.e., you post to > NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com . > > Okay, We have pretty well established over the last several years of real > world hands-on experience that public bikes can do some pretty interesting > things . . . in certain kinds of cities. The basic conditions of success > include the usual: topography, climate, land use, quality of supporting > infrastructure, street safety, etc., etc. All of that we have gone into > amply here. > > But one thorn in the side of this great new mobility idea is: how if at all > do you make it work in communities that suffer from certain kinds of social > and economic dysfunctionality? For example areas with very high youth > unemployment and the social behavior that does along with it. > > The trick with the public bike is that they are out on the street and we can > be sure that if there is any residual anger within the community, they are > going to suffer. Even in calmer cities, vandalism and theft are always very > much there are requiring the fullest attention of the city and their public > bike partner. > > Until now the pattern response that I keep running into when we speak with > people from the Global South mega-cites for example (but not only them) the > public bike idea does not get too far before it gets tossed out the window > for a lot of ?practical reasons?. > > Hmm. > > Your thoughts on this? > > Eric Britton > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > -------------------------------------------------------- > IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via YAHOOGROUPS. > > Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to the real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. > > ================================================================ > SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries (the 'Global South'). From sudhir at cai-asia.org Fri Aug 1 12:51:57 2008 From: sudhir at cai-asia.org (Sudhir) Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2008 11:51:57 +0800 Subject: [sustran] Sustainable Urban Mobility in Asia (SUMA) News Digest : Vol. 5 Issue 12 Message-ID: Sustainable Urban Mobility in Asia (SUMA) News Digest Vol. 5 Issue 12 1 August 2008 SUMA News Digest is a free weekly e-mail publication that features news, information, and events related to sustainable urban transportation in Asia. *** VISIT THE SUMA PAGES: http://www.cleanairnet.org/suma *** *SUMA PARTNERS ON THE MOVE! * *GTZ-SUTP: **GTZ delivers 2-day and 6-day training courses on Mass Transit in Indore (India)*** *GTZ SUTP has delivered training courses on Mass Transit in Indore (India) from June 26 to July 1, as part of the SUMA* project. The training courses were held in cooperation with WRI-Embarq and ITDP, and * *main trainers were Dar?o Hidalgo (WRI), Shreya Gadepalli (ITDP), Carlosfelipe Pardo (GTZ). Read More* * http://www.sutp.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1201&Itemid=132&lang=uk * *ADB: **Asia on the Move: Energy Efficient and Inclusive Transport*** *The Forum is organized by ADB and co-sponsored by the global Transport Knowledge Partnership. The Resource Speakers would be renowned experts* from governments, financial institutions, civil society, academia, and international organizations. Visit the link to know more about the workshop *http://www.adb.org/Documents/Events/2008/ADB-Transport-Forum-2008/* *NEWSREPORTS* *South Korea promoting bicycle use* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72912.html *Philippines: Higher Transport Fares Demanded* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72907.html *Bangladesh: **Mindset Change A Must For Woman-Friendly Bus Journey: Study** * http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72913.html *India:Tata Motors To Roll out Electric Cars:* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72921.html *India : From Busway to BRT* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72904.html *Why readers aren't overjoyed at travelling by bus in Viet Nam* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72914.html *Malaysia : Gas for Buses* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72908.html *Sri Lanka seeks to improve Public Transport to cut fuel costs and fuel.* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72930.html *Chinese cities overhaul transport systems for Olympics* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72931.html *China: **Urban Thinker: GZ BRT Should be Integrated with Metro* *http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72890.html* *Combodia : **Road deaths soar in first four months of 2008*** http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72932.html ** * * ** *INTERESTING FINDS/SEMINARS * *Freight Transport in a Carbon Constrained Economy: *National Transport Commission and Rare Consulting Global concerns about the potential impact of climate change on human civilisation have given rise to an international policy debate about ways to deliver significant and sustained reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, no country has a detailed strategy or plan for cutting freight transport emissions over the longer term. The aim of this discussion paper is to start to plan ways in whichemissions from freight transport can be cut over the longer term. Indeed, there are many measures that can be taken now to start reducing emissions. Many of these measures are productivity reforms which have the double benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing the cost of transport. This report contains a set of proposals for comment that will start focusing actions on ways to reduce freight transport emissions over the longer term. Read more? http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72916.html *Fuel Quality seminar ? **Japan Automobile Research Institute* JARI China Roundtable 2008 focused how local government introduced vehicle emission regulation of national plan at local level. In order to reduce emission from vehicles, improvement of vehicle fuel quality is considered as a prerequisite. Improvement of fuel quality is effective for not only new vehicle but also vehicle in-use. It is important to introduce appropriate fuel quality with emission regulation level in advance or in the same timing of introduction of vehicle emission regulation. Contact: khirota@jari.or.jp for more details http://www.jari.or.jp/en/rt_en/rt0806_en.html *2007- WORKSHOP ON **TRANSPORT, HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT, AND EQUITY IN INDIAN CITIES*** The workshop which was funded by the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, the Canadian International Development Agency, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, and was held December 17-19, 2007, brought together 60-70 persons, including academic researchers, senior government decision makers, and private sector, industry, and NGO representatives, from India, Canada, and other countries. Five graduate students from Canada, and more from India, participated. Access the presentations at http://www.mcgill.ca/urbanplanning/research/projects/indiancities/ MOUD: INDIA ? STUDY IN TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION STRATEGIES IN URBAN AREAS IN INDIA The final report has been uploaded in the internet and it contains a wide spectrum of issues pertaining to urban transport in Indian Cities. http://urbanindia.nic.in/moud/programme/ut/main.htm FOOD FOR THOUGHT ? *In South Korea, women constitute 38% of Total Vehicle Registrations *( http://www.monstersandcritics.com/lifestyle/life/news/article_1389304.php/Women_driving_car_sales_in_South_Korea ) ** ? *In India, there is One Road Accident Death every 5 minutes *( http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/One_fatal_accident_every_five_minutes_on_Indian_roads/articleshow/3138719.cms )** - *With 50% increase in fuel price, modal change from car to bus or subway is expected at minimum 3.9% to maximum 8.5% (*www.international transportforum.org/Topics/Workshops/WS2LeeSlides.ppt )** - *If 100% public transit user subsidy is implemented, 18% of current private vehicle user will switch over to public transport (* www.internationaltransportforum.org/Topics/Workshops/WS2LeeSlides.ppt )** *CALL FOR RESEARCH PAPERS* We in CAI-Asia are looking for good analytical/research papers on Sustainable Transport and Air Pollution. If you would like your paper to be linked/ published in the CAI website, please let us know? * * * * *MARK YOUR CALENDARS * ADB: Asia on the Move: Energy Efficient and Inclusive Transport, September-9-12/2008 http://www.adb.org/Documents/Events/2008/ADB-Transport-Forum-2008/ "BRT Systems in India and Abroad" from 24 to 26 September, 2008 at Visakhapatnam, India. http://www.gvpcoeedu.org/brts.html Fourteenth International Conference on Urban Transport and the Environment in the 21st Century, 1 - 3 September 2008, Malta, http://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2008/urban08/ PODCAR City Sustainable Transport Conference, 14-16 September 2008, Ithaca, New York, http://www.podcar.org/ithacaconference/ UITP 2nd Sustainable Development Conference Making tomorrow today 22-24 October 2008, Milan, Italy http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72425.html Better Air Quality (BAQ) Workshop 2008 12-14 November 2008 Bangkok, Thailand http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72312.html See more SUT events http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/propertyvalue-27089.html See CAI-Asia's events calendar http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/propertyvalue-13577.html * * * CONTRIBUTE * * * To contribute articles, news items, or event announcements for the next issue, send an email with the complete details and URL source to suma-news-owner@googlegroups.com with subject "FOR SUMA NEWS". mailto: suma-news-owner@googlegroups.com?subject=FOR_SUMA_NEWS< suma-news-owner@googlegroups.com?subject=FOR_SUMA_NEWS>. Past issues from March and April 2008 are found at http://groups.google.com/group/suma-news * * * ABOUT SUMA * * * The Sustainable Urban Mobility in Asia (SUMA) program of the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities ( www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia), Asian Development Bank ( www.adb.org), EMBARQ-the World Resources Institute Center for Sustainable Transport ( http://embarq.wri.org ), GTZ Sustainable Urban Transport Project ( www.sutp.org), Interface for Cycling Expertise ( www.cycling.nl), Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (www.itdp.org), and United Nations Center for Regional Development (www.uncrd.or.jp/est) is made possible through the generous support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency ( www.sida.se). SUMA works with Asian countries and cities to strengthen then formulation and implementation of sustainable urban transportation policies, specifically in (i) Improving urban air quality by adopting AQM planning in sustainable transport policies and promoting public transportation, (ii) Improving road safety by encouraging non-motorized transport and public transport, and (iii) Reducing transport's contribution to climate change by adopting a co-benefits approach with urban air quality management. -- Sudhir Gota Transport Specialist CAI-Asia Center Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City Metro Manila, Philippines 1605 Tel: +63-2-395-2843 Fax: +63-2-395-2846 http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia Skype : sudhirgota From eric.britton at ecoplan.org Fri Aug 1 15:50:06 2008 From: eric.britton at ecoplan.org (Eric Britton) Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2008 08:50:06 +0200 Subject: [sustran] "Sustainable transport reform in cities - Knowledge Building and International Collaboration in a situation of high emergency" Message-ID: <00b001c8f3a2$fe3aff70$fab0fe50$@britton@ecoplan.org> Dear Friends, Susan Zielinski, in the framework of a recent brainstorming conference organized by the SMART program (Sustainable Mobility & Accessibility Research & Transformation - http://um-smart.org/resources/conference/overview.html) of the University of Michigan, asked me to report to the group on my experience and thoughts on the issue of "New Mobility - Knowledge Building and International Collaboration in a situation of high emergency". Hmm. Well, I took as my starting place a look through our various programs and communications over the years and came up with the following first-cut list of groups and website that we consult frequently in our own work. (You can access the full presentation in a largish PPT file freely available to you at http://www.ecoplan.org/library/newmob-networks.pdf ) A couple of points about this listing: (a) It is missing some important sources, which perhaps you can bring them to our attention. And of course (b) it reflects our particular angle on sustainable transport reform in cities: heavy emphasis on the on-going climate catastrophe and the need for immediate, far-reaching remedial measure and reforms. And if the energy and resource issues are right up there at the top of our concerns, along with those of the huge inefficiencies of our transportation arrangements in most cities, there is also our constant preoccupation with social equity as one of the vital underpinnings of all programs and initiatives that we now need to launch without further hesitation. (If it ain't just, it won't be sustainable). Anyway, here is the list concerning which I would be most pleased to have your comments and suggestions. These I will shortly make available to our various networks and collaborators so that we can all get back to work with even more energy and determination on these issues. It helps greatly that we are not alone. Eric Britton 1. New Mobility Agenda 2. C40 - Large Cities Climate Leadership Group 3. Clean Air Initiative (CAI) 4. Climate Alliance of European Cities 5. Clinton Climate Initiative 6. ELTIS - European Local Transport Information Service 7. T&E - European Federation for Transport & Environment 8. Global Alliance for EcoMobility 9. global Transport Knowledge Partnership 10. Embarq - Center for Sustainable Transport 11. iNSnet Foundation 12. International Transport Forum 13. Institute for Transportation &Development Policy 14. Livable Streets Network 15. Sustainable Cities Net 16. Sustainable Urban Transport Project 17. Victoria Transport Policy Institute 18. World Business Council for Sustainable Development 19. World Carshare Consortium 20. World City Bike Collaborative From adhiraj.joglekar at googlemail.com Fri Aug 1 19:30:29 2008 From: adhiraj.joglekar at googlemail.com (Dr Adhiraj Joglekar) Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2008 11:30:29 +0100 Subject: [sustran] Re: Traffic and Transportation Policies and Strategies in Urban Message-ID: Sudhir, Interesting stuff but very unreal results. I make an example of Pune - if those figures were true, Pune has one of the best public transports in the country - the reality is that Pune has probably one of the most useless public transport systems? How accurate are these figures when compared with ground realities? Look at Pune - the reality is that public transport is pathetic and the figures suggest that Pune has the best transport facilities - accessibility 3.15, % trips accessible in 15 minutes 54.3. And they seem to manage this with a supply index of 16.43? The graph below the table from where these figures come from (page 12-13) also suggests Pune to fare better than Chennai, Mumbai and other cities with better reputation, just based on this, I am unable to accept the study and its overall validity. Results are always flawed when lot of proxy outcomes are used - this study is an example of that. Also figures without confidence intervals are useless (most transporty journal articles report these). Further, access and accessibility are two different things. *This study uses the latter* as a measure not the former. *Access*. The capacity to enter and exit a transport system. Effectively it means how soon will one get a bus? *Accessibility*. The measure of the capacity of a location to be reached by, or to reach different locations. *In this study this measure is used and defined as*- its how quick one gets to a bus stop. Given that Pune has relatively short but disproportionately high number of routes getting to a bus stop within 15 minutes gives a brilliant score. But in reality the average frequency of a bus in Pune across all routes is - one bus per 57 minutes!! If PMT were to follow these figures, one conclusion they may draw is that Pune needs more buses - well! We know that does not help in any way based on the situation in Bangalore which has 5k buses but still an unsatisfactory public transport. As Fritz Perls put it 'the whole is more than the sum of its parts'. Without a wider perspective on things, conclusions based on small peice meal stats can be very misleading. Adhiraj On 7/28/08, sustran-discuss-request@list.jca.apc.org < sustran-discuss-request@list.jca.apc.org> wrote: > > Send Sustran-discuss mailing list submissions to > sustran-discuss@list.jca.apc.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > sustran-discuss-request@list.jca.apc.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > sustran-discuss-owner@list.jca.apc.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than > "Re: Contents of Sustran-discuss digest..." > > > ######################################################################## > Sustran-discuss Mailing List Digest > > IMPORTANT NOTE: When replying please do not include the whole digest in > your reply - just include the relevant part of the specific message that you > are responding to. Many thanks. > > About this mailing list see: > http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss > ######################################################################## > > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Final report on Traffic and Transportation ( India) (Sudhir) > 2. [NewMobilityCafe] City rickshaws fight ban in India (Sudhir) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sun, 27 Jul 2008 17:36:23 +0800 > From: Sudhir > Subject: [sustran] Final report on Traffic and Transportation ( India) > To: sustran-discuss@list.jca.apc.org > Message-ID: > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > Dear All, > > Final report on "Traffic and Transportation Policies and Strategies in > Urban > Areas in India" 2008 " has been recently uploaded in Internet . > > http://urbanindia.nic.in/moud/programme/ut/main.htm > > Researchers may find this resource very useful (to know more about India- > Urban Transportation Scenario - it has comprehensive database..) > > we in CAI Asia are actively looking at the report and probably we can > discuss this during the course of next week... > > Sudhir Gota > Transport Specialist > CAI-Asia Center > Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower, > ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City > Metro Manila, Philippines 1605 > Tel: +63-2-395-2843 > Fax: +63-2-395-2846 > http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia > Skype : sudhirgota > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Sun, 27 Jul 2008 10:21:59 +0800 > From: "Sudhir" > Subject: [sustran] [NewMobilityCafe] City rickshaws fight ban in India > To: , > > Message-ID: > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > Dear All, > > Well over the past week we have seen some interesting mails about cycling > in > sustran-new mobility ... > > this news may affect sustran members > > http://in.news.yahoo.com/32/20080727/1053/tnl-city-rickshaws-fight-ban.html > > Push Cycle Rickshaws out of streets and then cycles and then pedestrians > just because they cause congestion.. ..? > > its true "Common sense ain't common" > > regards > Sudhir Gota > Transport Specialist > CAI-Asia Center > Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower, > ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City > Metro Manila, Philippines 1605 > Tel: +63-2-395-2843 > Fax: +63-2-395-2846 > http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia > Skype : sudhirgota > > > ------------------------------ > > ================================================================ > SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, > equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries > (the 'Global South'). > > End of Sustran-discuss Digest, Vol 59, Issue 17 > *********************************************** > From eric.britton at ecoplan.org Sat Aug 2 18:17:22 2008 From: eric.britton at ecoplan.org (Eric Britton) Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 11:17:22 +0200 Subject: [sustran] We can't save the planet, unless we also save our communities Message-ID: <000301c8f480$94f16b60$bed44220$@britton@ecoplan.org> This is not normally the place to take your valuable time with poached materials from the press that many of you may run across anyway. However today, these two articles from the same journal (www.iht.com) are important because of the way in which they frame our shared interests. Namely that we can't save the planet unless we also save our communities. Let's you and me keep working at it, eh? Eric Britton Paul Krugman: Can the planet be saved? By Paul Krugman Friday, August 1, 2008 PRINCETON, New Jersey: Recently the Web site The Politico asked Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, why she was blocking attempts to tack offshore drilling amendments onto appropriations bills. "I'm trying to save the planet; I'm trying to save the planet," she replied. I'm glad to hear it. But I'm still worried about the planet's prospects. True, Pelosi's remark was a happy reminder that environmental policy is no longer in the hands of crazy people. Remember, less than two years ago Senator James Inhofe - a conspiracy theorist who insists that global warming is a "gigantic hoax" perpetrated by the scientific community - was the chairman of the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee. Beyond that, Pelosi's response shows that she understands the deeper issues behind the current energy debate. Most criticism of John McCain's decision to follow the Bush administration's lead and embrace offshore drilling as the answer to high gas prices has focused on the accusation that it's junk economics - which it is. A McCain campaign ad says that gas prices are high right now because "some in Washington are still saying no to drilling in America." That's just plain dishonest: the U.S. government's own Energy Information Administration says that removing restrictions on offshore drilling wouldn't lead to any additional domestic oil production until 2017, and that even at its peak the extra production would have an "insignificant" impact on oil prices. What's even more important than McCain's bad economics, however, is what his reversal on this issue - he was against offshore drilling before he was for it - says about his priorities. Back when he was cultivating a maverick image, McCain portrayed himself as more environmentally aware than the rest of his party. He even cosponsored a bill calling for a cap-and-trade system to limit greenhouse-gas emissions (although his remarks on several recent occasions suggest that he doesn't understand his own proposal). But the lure of a bit of political gain, it turns out, was all it took to transform him back into a standard drill-and-burn Republican. And the planet can't afford that kind of cynicism. In themselves, limits on offshore drilling are only a modest-sized issue. But the skirmish over drilling is the opening stage of a much bigger fight over environmental policy. What's at stake in that fight, above all, is the question of whether we Americans will take action against climate change before it's utterly too late. It's true that scientists don't know exactly how much world temperatures will rise if we persist with business as usual. But that uncertainty is actually what makes action so urgent. While there's a chance that we'll act against global warming only to find that the danger was overstated, there's also a chance that we'll fail to act only to find that the results of inaction were catastrophic. Which risk would you rather run? Martin Weitzman, a Harvard economist who has been driving much of the recent high-level debate, offers some sobering numbers. Surveying a wide range of climate models, he argues that, overall, they suggest about a 5 percent chance that world temperatures will eventually rise by more than 10 degrees Celsius (that is, world temperatures will rise by 18 degrees Fahrenheit). As Weitzman points out, that's enough to "effectively destroy planet Earth as we know it." It's sheer irresponsibility not to do whatever we can to eliminate that threat. Now for the bad news: Sheer irresponsibility may be a winning political strategy. McCain's claim that opponents of offshore drilling are responsible for high gas prices is ridiculous - and to their credit, major news organizations have pointed this out. Yet McCain's gambit seems nonetheless to be working: Public support for ending restrictions on drilling has risen sharply, with roughly half of voters saying that increased offshore drilling would reduce gas prices within a year. Hence my concern: If a completely bogus claim that environmental protection is raising energy prices can get this much political traction, what are the chances of getting serious action against global warming? After all, a cap-and-trade system would in effect be a tax on carbon (though McCain apparently doesn't know that), and really would raise energy prices. The only way we're going to get action, I'd suggest, is if those who stand in the way of action come to be perceived as not just wrong but immoral. Incidentally, that's why I was disappointed with Barack Obama's response to McCain's energy posturing - that it was "the same old politics." Obama was dismissive when he should have been outraged. So as I said, I'm very glad to know that Nancy Pelosi is trying to save the planet. I just wish I had more confidence that she's going to succeed. Breaking a town from the center By Bill McKibben and Sue Halpern Friday, August 1, 2008 RIPTON, Vermont: Robert Frost wrote once that "good fences make good neighbors." We love Frost - we live on land he once owned in this small Green Mountain town - but that's the poet being cynical. What really makes for good neighbors, as the 562 residents have learned over the years, is a post office like the one this town has enjoyed since the 1800s. Tucked into a tiny corner of the general store, the post office is our town commons, a place where neighbor has no choice but to rub shoulders with neighbor. But suddenly, out of nowhere, a sign went up a few weeks ago saying that the U.S. Postal Service was closing our post office. If we wanted our mail, the sign said, we'd have to drive to the next town, which is at the bottom of a winding gorge, on a road that is only marginally passable. It's a 10-mile round trip, for some, and 18 miles for others, which is not an inconsiderable distance in these days of $4 a gallon gas. And talk about carbon footprint. But these are merely the obvious, measurable costs. As soon as the closure sign went up on the post office door, people began to mobilize. And they weren't just the usual suspects - the ones who serve on the town board or run the recycling program. They were fifth-generation Vermonters, they were carpenters, they were teachers, retirees and gardeners - they were a representative sampling of us all. Some said they'd hang around the store in case the postal service made good on its threat to remove the bank of mail boxes, the old kind, with a glass window and a combination lock. (After two days, the Postal Service backed down.) Scores of calls were made - to the postmaster general, to various regional USPS offices, to customer service. (We would have sent letters, but there was no place to buy stamps in town.) Scores more calls were made to the Vermont congressional delegation. A meeting was called, and 124 residents crowded into town hall to voice their concern. The media came, drawn less by what was happening to our mail than what was happening in our town - our passion, commitment and solidarity. How quaint! These days, the average American has half as many close friends as his predecessor half a century ago, and shares meals with neighbors and family half as often. But in our little town, there are community suppers, a monthly coffee house, family soccer games, a farmers' market. As Vermont Senators Patrick Leahy and Bernard Sanders and Representative Peter Welch wrote to the postmaster general, Jack Potter, "The town of Ripton is a small, close-knit community. The Ripton General Store and the post office are a center and a primary gathering place for residents." The fact is, as almost everyone who packed town hall pointed out, the reason we're so close-knit is because of the post office - and because, especially, it's in the one retail business in town. This is how towns get broken, someone pointed out at the meeting: Send people away from the center and it cannot hold; make them drive to the bottom of the mountain to get their mail, and they'll shop there, too. Soon enough the ancient red building, which stocks the bread and milk and eggs that lets us stay close to home on a snowy day, will become history, too. Not long after the congressional delegation wrote to Postmaster Potter, we all received letters of apology from the regional headquarters. Sorry, it said, for shutting down your post office without giving you proper notice. As to whether anyone was sorry for shutting to begin with, or what plans they had for the future, it didn't say. So the people in town kept asking, kept sending e-mails, did more research. We learned, for instance, how the postal service strategic plan calls for more "streamlined" operations and how we weren't the only rural community fighting to hold on to this vital public service. And then, suddenly, the mail came back to Ripton. Though it's too early to say it's for good - we still don't have a postmaster, and the window is open just a few hours a day, staffed by townspeople - it was a defining moment for our community: Getting our mail was sweet, but having our post office was even sweeter. Bill McKibben and Sue Halpern are writers. McKibben's most recent book is "The Bill McKibben Reader," and Halpern's is "Can't Remember What I Forgot." From eric.britton at ecoplan.org Sat Aug 2 18:17:22 2008 From: eric.britton at ecoplan.org (Eric Britton) Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 11:17:22 +0200 Subject: [sustran] [NewMobilityCafe] We can't save the planet, unless we also save our communities Message-ID: <000301c8f480$94f16b60$bed44220$@britton@ecoplan.org> This is not normally the place to take your valuable time with poached materials from the press that many of you may run across anyway. However today, these two articles from the same journal (www.iht.com) are important because of the way in which they frame our shared interests. Namely that we can't save the planet unless we also save our communities. Let's you and me keep working at it, eh? Eric Britton Paul Krugman: Can the planet be saved? By Paul Krugman Friday, August 1, 2008 PRINCETON, New Jersey: Recently the Web site The Politico asked Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, why she was blocking attempts to tack offshore drilling amendments onto appropriations bills. "I'm trying to save the planet; I'm trying to save the planet," she replied. I'm glad to hear it. But I'm still worried about the planet's prospects. True, Pelosi's remark was a happy reminder that environmental policy is no longer in the hands of crazy people. Remember, less than two years ago Senator James Inhofe - a conspiracy theorist who insists that global warming is a "gigantic hoax" perpetrated by the scientific community - was the chairman of the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee. Beyond that, Pelosi's response shows that she understands the deeper issues behind the current energy debate. Most criticism of John McCain's decision to follow the Bush administration's lead and embrace offshore drilling as the answer to high gas prices has focused on the accusation that it's junk economics - which it is. A McCain campaign ad says that gas prices are high right now because "some in Washington are still saying no to drilling in America." That's just plain dishonest: the U.S. government's own Energy Information Administration says that removing restrictions on offshore drilling wouldn't lead to any additional domestic oil production until 2017, and that even at its peak the extra production would have an "insignificant" impact on oil prices. What's even more important than McCain's bad economics, however, is what his reversal on this issue - he was against offshore drilling before he was for it - says about his priorities. Back when he was cultivating a maverick image, McCain portrayed himself as more environmentally aware than the rest of his party. He even cosponsored a bill calling for a cap-and-trade system to limit greenhouse-gas emissions (although his remarks on several recent occasions suggest that he doesn't understand his own proposal). But the lure of a bit of political gain, it turns out, was all it took to transform him back into a standard drill-and-burn Republican. And the planet can't afford that kind of cynicism. In themselves, limits on offshore drilling are only a modest-sized issue. But the skirmish over drilling is the opening stage of a much bigger fight over environmental policy. What's at stake in that fight, above all, is the question of whether we Americans will take action against climate change before it's utterly too late. It's true that scientists don't know exactly how much world temperatures will rise if we persist with business as usual. But that uncertainty is actually what makes action so urgent. While there's a chance that we'll act against global warming only to find that the danger was overstated, there's also a chance that we'll fail to act only to find that the results of inaction were catastrophic. Which risk would you rather run? Martin Weitzman, a Harvard economist who has been driving much of the recent high-level debate, offers some sobering numbers. Surveying a wide range of climate models, he argues that, overall, they suggest about a 5 percent chance that world temperatures will eventually rise by more than 10 degrees Celsius (that is, world temperatures will rise by 18 degrees Fahrenheit). As Weitzman points out, that's enough to "effectively destroy planet Earth as we know it." It's sheer irresponsibility not to do whatever we can to eliminate that threat. Now for the bad news: Sheer irresponsibility may be a winning political strategy. McCain's claim that opponents of offshore drilling are responsible for high gas prices is ridiculous - and to their credit, major news organizations have pointed this out. Yet McCain's gambit seems nonetheless to be working: Public support for ending restrictions on drilling has risen sharply, with roughly half of voters saying that increased offshore drilling would reduce gas prices within a year. Hence my concern: If a completely bogus claim that environmental protection is raising energy prices can get this much political traction, what are the chances of getting serious action against global warming? After all, a cap-and-trade system would in effect be a tax on carbon (though McCain apparently doesn't know that), and really would raise energy prices. The only way we're going to get action, I'd suggest, is if those who stand in the way of action come to be perceived as not just wrong but immoral. Incidentally, that's why I was disappointed with Barack Obama's response to McCain's energy posturing - that it was "the same old politics." Obama was dismissive when he should have been outraged. So as I said, I'm very glad to know that Nancy Pelosi is trying to save the planet. I just wish I had more confidence that she's going to succeed. Breaking a town from the center By Bill McKibben and Sue Halpern Friday, August 1, 2008 RIPTON, Vermont: Robert Frost wrote once that "good fences make good neighbors." We love Frost - we live on land he once owned in this small Green Mountain town - but that's the poet being cynical. What really makes for good neighbors, as the 562 residents have learned over the years, is a post office like the one this town has enjoyed since the 1800s. Tucked into a tiny corner of the general store, the post office is our town commons, a place where neighbor has no choice but to rub shoulders with neighbor. But suddenly, out of nowhere, a sign went up a few weeks ago saying that the U.S. Postal Service was closing our post office. If we wanted our mail, the sign said, we'd have to drive to the next town, which is at the bottom of a winding gorge, on a road that is only marginally passable. It's a 10-mile round trip, for some, and 18 miles for others, which is not an inconsiderable distance in these days of $4 a gallon gas. And talk about carbon footprint. But these are merely the obvious, measurable costs. As soon as the closure sign went up on the post office door, people began to mobilize. And they weren't just the usual suspects - the ones who serve on the town board or run the recycling program. They were fifth-generation Vermonters, they were carpenters, they were teachers, retirees and gardeners - they were a representative sampling of us all. Some said they'd hang around the store in case the postal service made good on its threat to remove the bank of mail boxes, the old kind, with a glass window and a combination lock. (After two days, the Postal Service backed down.) Scores of calls were made - to the postmaster general, to various regional USPS offices, to customer service. (We would have sent letters, but there was no place to buy stamps in town.) Scores more calls were made to the Vermont congressional delegation. A meeting was called, and 124 residents crowded into town hall to voice their concern. The media came, drawn less by what was happening to our mail than what was happening in our town - our passion, commitment and solidarity. How quaint! These days, the average American has half as many close friends as his predecessor half a century ago, and shares meals with neighbors and family half as often. But in our little town, there are community suppers, a monthly coffee house, family soccer games, a farmers' market. As Vermont Senators Patrick Leahy and Bernard Sanders and Representative Peter Welch wrote to the postmaster general, Jack Potter, "The town of Ripton is a small, close-knit community. The Ripton General Store and the post office are a center and a primary gathering place for residents." The fact is, as almost everyone who packed town hall pointed out, the reason we're so close-knit is because of the post office - and because, especially, it's in the one retail business in town. This is how towns get broken, someone pointed out at the meeting: Send people away from the center and it cannot hold; make them drive to the bottom of the mountain to get their mail, and they'll shop there, too. Soon enough the ancient red building, which stocks the bread and milk and eggs that lets us stay close to home on a snowy day, will become history, too. Not long after the congressional delegation wrote to Postmaster Potter, we all received letters of apology from the regional headquarters. Sorry, it said, for shutting down your post office without giving you proper notice. As to whether anyone was sorry for shutting to begin with, or what plans they had for the future, it didn't say. So the people in town kept asking, kept sending e-mails, did more research. We learned, for instance, how the postal service strategic plan calls for more "streamlined" operations and how we weren't the only rural community fighting to hold on to this vital public service. And then, suddenly, the mail came back to Ripton. Though it's too early to say it's for good - we still don't have a postmaster, and the window is open just a few hours a day, staffed by townspeople - it was a defining moment for our community: Getting our mail was sweet, but having our post office was even sweeter. Bill McKibben and Sue Halpern are writers. McKibben's most recent book is "The Bill McKibben Reader," and Halpern's is "Can't Remember What I Forgot." From litman at vtpi.org Wed Aug 6 04:17:50 2008 From: litman at vtpi.org (Todd Alexander Litman) Date: Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:17:50 -0700 Subject: [sustran] VTPI Newsletter, Summer 2008 Message-ID: <6.2.3.4.2.20080805121739.08160c58@mail.islandnet.com> ----------- VTPI NEWS ----------- Victoria Transport Policy Institute "Efficiency - Equity - Clarity" ------------------------------------- Summer 2008 Vol. 11, No. 3 ----------------------------------- 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NEW DOCUMENTS ============== "Carbon Taxes: Tax What You Burn, Not What You Earn" (http://www.vtpi.org/carbontax.pdf ) Carbon taxes are based on fossil fuel carbon content, and therefore tax carbon dioxide emissions. In July 2008 British Columbia introduced the first carbon tax in North America. This paper evaluates this tax. BC?s new tax reflects key carbon tax principles: it is broad, gradual, predictable, and structured to assist low-income people. It begins small and increases gradually, allowing consumers and businesses to respond with increased energy efficiency. Revenues are returned to residents and businesses in ways that protect the lowest income households. Like most new taxes, the carbon tax has been criticized, but much of this criticism is technically incorrect or exaggerated. Consumers have many possible ways to conserve energy and therefore reduce their tax burden. Since lower-income households tend to consume less than average amounts of fuel and receive targeted rebates, most low-income households will benefit overall. This tax supports economic development by encouraging energy conservation which keeps money circulating within the regional economy. British Columbia?s carbon tax shows true leadership. If other jurisdictions follow, its impacts and benefits will be huge. "Pay-As-You-Drive Insurance: Recommendations for Implementation" (http://www.vtpi.org/payd_rec.pdf ) This paper provides guidance for implementing Pay-As-You-Drive (PAYD) vehicle insurance. It describes PAYD pricing options, discusses PAYD benefits and costs, describes regulatory reforms, evaluates various objections to PAYD, and provides specific recommendations for PAYD implementation. It was prepared for a recent PAYD workshop by the California Department of Insurance. ONLINE TDM ENCYCLOPEDIA ========================== We recently updated our "Online TDM Encyclopedia" (http://www.vtpi.org/tdm ), a comprehensive source of information about innovative management solutions to transport problems. We revised and expanded many chapters, and added these new ones: 'Multi-Modal Level-Of-Service Indicators' (http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm129.htm ). Describes Level-of-Service (LOS) rating systems suitable for evaluating the quality of various transport modes from a user's perspective. This helps make transport planning more neutral and responsive, and is particularly important for TDM planning. 'Public Bike Systems' (http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm126.htm ). Automated bicycle rental systems designed to provide efficient mobility for short, utilitarian urban trips. 'Transit Station Improvements' (http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm127.htm ). Describes ways to improve public transit stop and station waiting conditions. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PUBLISHED ELSEWHERE =================== 'Developing Indicators For Comprehensive And Sustainable Transport Planning,' published in "Transportation Research Record 2017," Transportation Research Board (www.trb.org), 2007, pp. 10-15. 'Valuing Transit Service Quality Improvements,' published in the "Journal of Public Transportation," Vol. 11, No. 2, Spring 2008, pp. 43-64; at www.nctr.usf.edu/jpt/pdf/JPT11-2Litman.pdf . A corrected version of Table 3 is available as Table 11 in the report "Valuing Transit Service Quality Improvements" (http://www.vtpi.org/traveltime.pdf ). "Please Tax My Carbon" (http://www.planetizen.com/node/33959 ), Planetizen Blog. "Cheap energy policies and resulting high rates of energy consumption now impose increasing economic, social and environmental harms. People who are energy rich are becoming poor in other ways: high energy consumption impoverishes consumers, transfers wealth from North America to foreign energy producers, and exacerbates problems such as traffic congestion and accidents, and creates environmental risks such as climate change. To avoid these problems, North America needs innovative solutions that increase the economy?s overall energy efficiency, that is, which extract more productivity and consumer welfare per joule of energy consumed. Such solutions do exist" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UPCOMING EVENTS ============== Town Makers Discovery Tour of the Great Pacific Northwest, August 28 - 31, Seattle WA and Vancouver B.C. (http://www.vtpi.org/temp/pbt2008.pdf ). This high intensity learning experience will be a showcase tour of the best new streets, blocks, parks, cottage housing, pocket neighborhoods, affordable housing, LEED neighborhoods, village housing, waterfronts and downtowns. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IN THE NEWS ============== "New Analysis: LEED Standards Need Reform To Reflect Environmental Costs Of Driving" (http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/kbenfield/new_analysis_leed_standards_ne.html ) by Kaid Benfield, Director of the Smart Growth Program, National Resources Defense Council. This Blog discusses the importance of incorporating transportation and parking management into LEED standards, based on our research (http://www.vtpi.org/leed_rec.pdf ). 'Bridge Expansion Plans Ignore Effects of Growth' (http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1214029515244280.xml&coll=7) Jul 04 2008 -- The Oregonian Plans to build a new bridge over the Columbia River in Portland ignored projections that said the newer, bigger bridge would contribute to outward expansion of development from the metropolitan core. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BEEN THERE, DONE THAT ========================== "Connected Bus" (http://www.cisco.com/web/about/ac79/ps/cud/tcb.html ) is an program by the Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group and San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) to use innovative technologies to improve the convenience, comfort and attractiveness of public transit bus services, including real time bus arrival information, interactive user information at stops and on vehicles, improved safety and security, and on-board WiFi service. The Victoria Transport Policy Institute is providing analysis support to the program. "Creating a Quality Transportation Experience," Keynote Speech, Yellowstone Business Partnership Annual Conference, May 2008, (http://www.yellowstonebusiness.org/datafiles/YBP_Summer08_ProofE.pdf ) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CURRENT ISSUE ? CALIFORNIA EMISSION REDUCTIONS ================================================= The California Air Resources Board is accepting comments on their Draft AB 32 Scoping Plan (http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/scopingplan/scopingplan.htm ) at http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/scopingplan/spcomment.htm . A recent Brookings Institution study, "The Impact of Pay-As-You-Drive Auto Insurance in California" (www.brookings.edu/papers/2008/07_payd_california_bordoffnoel.aspx ) indicates that PAYD insurance pricing in California would provide large benefits: * An 8% reduction in light-duty vehicle travel. * Social benefits estimated to total $10.8 billion based on current driving levels, increasing to $21.1 billion in 2020. * State government savings totaling $54 million annually based on 2006 data, increasing to $60 million annually in 2020. * 7% to 9% of the total CO2 reductions needed to meet California?s emissions targets for 2020. * Nearly two-thirds (64%) of California households would have lower premiums under PAYD, with savings for that group averaging $276 per vehicle-year. * Particularly large benefits for low-income drivers. Every household income group making less than $47,500 (in 2001) saves on average. Even in higher income groups most households benefit overall. * For every ethnicity, a majority of households would save money. * Because geography is a key risk-factor, a roughly equal proportion of rural (62.4 percent) and urban (64.2 percent) California households save money with PAYD. The California Draft Scoping Plan significantly underestimates PAYD benefits. Below are our recommendations for improving the analysis: 1. The Draft Plan assumes only a minor portion of insurance premiums would become distance-based. CORRECTION: Evaluate benefits assuming all vehicle insurance premiums and registration fees are converted to PAYD pricing, and the price structure meets minimum standards defined in "Pay-As-You-Drive Pricing: Recommendations for Implementation" (www.vtpi.org/payd_rec.pdf ). 2. The Draft Plan co-benefits. CORRECTION: Take into account all significant co-benefits, including crash reductions, congestion reductions, road and parking facility cost savings, consumer savings and affordability, and reduced sprawl, in addition to energy conservation and emission reductions. 3. The Draft Plan assumes that PAYD would be implemented using electronic instrumentation that tracks when and where a vehicle is driving, which adds costs and raised privacy concerns. CORRECTION: Include "basic PAYD", which uses simple odometer audits or self-reporting, which minimizes costs and avoids privacy risks. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ USEFUL RESOURCES ================= Real Insurance now offers Pay-As-You-Drive (http://www.payasyoudrive.com.au ) vehicle insurance in Australia. Under their system, motorists report their odometer reading at the beginning of the policy term and purchase a certain number of miles. Odometer readings are verified if there is a claim, giving motorists an incentive to be accurate (false odometer readings void coverage). Research by professors David Grabowski and Michael Morrisey indicates that higher fuel prices significantly reduce traffic fatality rates: their analysis indicates that each 10% fuel price increase reduces total traffic deaths 2.3%, with a 6% decline for drivers aged 15 to 17, and a 3.2% decline for ages 18 to 21 according to analysis. See "As Gas Prices Go Up, Auto Deaths Drop," (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080711/ap_on_he_me/auto_deaths_gas_prices ); and '10 Things You Can Like About $4 Gas,' in "Time Magazine" (www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1819594_1819592_1819582,00.htm ). These findings are consistent with other research on the safety benefits of mileage reductions, summarized in our report, "Safe Travels: Evaluating Mobility Management Traffic Safety Impacts" (http://www.vtpi.org/safetrav.pdf ). Joe Cortright (2008), "Driven to the Brink: How the Gas Price Spike Popped the Housing Bubble and Devalued the Suburbs," CEOs for Cities (www.ceosforcities.org); at www.ceosforcities.org/newsroom/pr/files/Driven%20to%20the%20Brink%20FINAL.pdf . This report shows the economic benefits to households and communities that result from more accessible, multi-modal community development. It supports the concept of "Location Efficient Development" (http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm22.htm ). Jeff Rubin and Benjamin Tal (2008), "Heading for the Exit Lane" and "Getting Off the Road: Adjusting to $7 per Gallon Gas in America," published in StrategEcon, CIBC World Markets Newsletter (http://research.cibcwm.com/economic_public/download/sjun08.pdf ). This paper summarizes research indicating that high fuel prices are likely to continue into the future. John Pucher (2008), Cycling For Everyone Report, (http://policy.rutgers.edu/faculty/pucher/Cycling%20for%20Everyone%20VANCOUVER%2024%20June%202008.pdf ). Also see the "Cycling For Everyone" video: http://www.sfu.ca/city/city_pgm_video020.htm ) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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@vtpi.org Phone & Fax 250-360-1560 1250 Rudlin Street, Victoria, BC, V8V 3R7, CANADA ?Efficiency - Equity - Clarity? From paulbarter at nus.edu.sg Wed Aug 6 17:47:10 2008 From: paulbarter at nus.edu.sg (Paul Barter) Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2008 16:47:10 +0800 Subject: [sustran] The City Fix Blog - well worth a read Message-ID: I have nothing to do with the City Fix Blog, in case you think this message is going to sound like an advertisement. But I think it should be a "must read" for anyone interested in urban transport policy in developing countries (the same focus as sustran-discuss in other words). Even though it has been going since Jan 2007, I only found out about it a few months ago. Check it out at http://thecityfix.com/. It is a group blog with varied writers and was created by the folks at EMBARQ. Some notable recent items there include: * Why Is TransMilenio Still So Special? * Towards a Better BRT Taxonomy * The Amazing Egg Laying Wool Milk Sow * A Look Inside Beijing's Subway * From Busway to BRT Does anyone else have any suggestions for "must read" resources that are right on target for sustran-discuss? Paul Paul A. Barter | Assistant Professor | LKY School of Public Policy National University of Singapore | 469C Bukit Timah Road | Singapore 259772 | Tel: +65-6516 3324 | Fax: +65-6778 1020 | paulbarter@nus.edu.sg | http://www.spp.nus.edu.sg/Faculty_Paul_Barter.aspx Policy issues in urban transport: http://reinventingtransport.blogspot.com/ From carlosfpardo at gmail.com Wed Aug 6 20:11:49 2008 From: carlosfpardo at gmail.com (Carlosfelipe Pardo) Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2008 06:11:49 -0500 Subject: [sustran] Re: The City Fix Blog - well worth a read In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <7272a1b30808060411w14dba5f6va86ab524b1e034b@mail.gmail.com> I agree that Thecityfix is worth reading. I would also suggest: - Paul's blog in the link http://reinventingtransport.blogspot.com/ - Sustainable Transport Magazine (annually, via www.itdp.org) Any other suggestions are most welcome. Best regards, Carlos. 2008/8/6 Paul Barter > I have nothing to do with the City Fix Blog, in case you think this > message is going to sound like an advertisement. > > But I think it should be a "must read" for anyone interested in urban > transport policy in developing countries (the same focus as > sustran-discuss in other words). Even though it has been going since Jan > 2007, I only found out about it a few months ago. > > Check it out at http://thecityfix.com/. It is a group blog with varied > writers and was created by the folks at EMBARQ. > > Some notable recent items there include: > * Why Is TransMilenio Still So Special? > > * Towards a Better BRT Taxonomy > > * The Amazing Egg Laying Wool Milk Sow > > * A Look Inside Beijing's Subway > > * From Busway to BRT > > Does anyone else have any suggestions for "must read" resources that are > right on target for sustran-discuss? > > Paul > > Paul A. Barter | Assistant Professor | LKY School of Public Policy > National University of Singapore | 469C Bukit Timah Road | Singapore > 259772 | > Tel: +65-6516 3324 | Fax: +65-6778 1020 | paulbarter@nus.edu.sg | > http://www.spp.nus.edu.sg/Faculty_Paul_Barter.aspx > > Policy issues in urban transport: > http://reinventingtransport.blogspot.com/ > > > > -------------------------------------------------------- > IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via > YAHOOGROUPS. > > Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to > join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The > yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to the > real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you > can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. > > ================================================================ > SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, > equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries > (the 'Global South'). > From eric.britton at ecoplan.org Wed Aug 6 20:35:12 2008 From: eric.britton at ecoplan.org (Eric Britton) Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2008 13:35:12 +0200 Subject: [sustran] Does anyone else have any suggestions for "must read" resources that are right on target for Sustran-discuss? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <000a01c8f7b8$bee43890$3caca9b0$@britton@ecoplan.org> Excellent and timely question Paul. Indeed we have been asking ourselves the same for some time. So . . . . we have been working on it for the last month under our New Mobility Partnerships program, and if you click to http://www.knowledge.newmobility.org you will see our present take. (Give it a bit of time to load since the PowerPoint presentation is pretty hefty.). I have cut out the 'contents' and placed them at the end of this note, in case you are not able to access the full (big and slow, sorry!) site Big as it is - and I am trying very hard to keep it clean of programs and site that do not fit our (a) very practical, (b) low carbon/environmentally kind, (c) resource economical, (d) space efficient, (e) near term, (f) present technology, (g) relatively low-cost, (h) social equity, and of course (i) international policy and practice orientation - there are still some great sources out there that we still need to put our fingers on. My hope is, above all, that you will find some use in this - and every bit as much that all of you will come back with your additions, suggestions and critical remarks. I intend to keep working on this and you will always have the latest version at your service at http://www.knowledge.newmobility.org. Thanks for your help in this. Eric Britton On Behalf Of Paul Barter Sent: Wednesday, 6 August 2008 10:47 To: sustran-discuss@list.jca.apc.org Subject: [Sustran] The City Fix Blog - well worth a read I have nothing to do with the City Fix Blog, in case you think this message is going to sound like an advertisement. But I think it should be a "must read" for anyone interested in urban transport policy in developing countries (the same focus as sustran-discuss in other words). Even though it has been going since Jan 2007, I only found out about it a few months ago. Check it out at http://thecityfix.com/. It is a group blog with varied writers and was created by the folks at EMBARQ. Some notable recent items there include: * Why Is TransMilenio Still So Special? < http://thecityfix.com/why-is-transmilenio-still-so-special /> * Towards a Better BRT Taxonomy < http://thecityfix.com/towards-a-better-brt-taxonomy > * The Amazing Egg Laying Wool Milk Sow < http://thecityfix.com/the-amazing-egg-laying-wool-milk-sow > * A Look Inside Beijing's Subway < http://thecityfix.com/a-look-inside-beijings-subway * From Busway to BRT < http://thecityfix.com/from-busway-to-brt > Does anyone else have any suggestions for "must read" resources that are right on target for sustran-discuss? Paul Paul A. Barter | Assistant Professor | LKY School of Public Policy National University of Singapore | 469C Bukit Timah Road | Singapore 259772 | Tel: +65-6516 3324 | Fax: +65-6778 1020 | paulbarter@nus.edu.sg | http://www.spp.nus.edu.sg/Faculty_Paul_Barter.aspx Policy issues in urban transport: http://reinventingtransport.blogspot.com/ New Mobility Partnerships: Building a Learning Community - Http://www.knowledge.newmobility.org Contents: (Program links are clickable) 1. C40 - Large Cities Climate Leadership 2. City Fix 3. CIVITAS 4. Clean Air Initiative (CAI) 5. Climate Alliance of European Cities 6. Clinton Climate Initiative 7. Development Gateway 8. ELTIS 9. Embarq - Center for Sustainable Transport 10. European Federation for Transport & Environment 11. Global Alliance for EcoMobility 12. global Transport Knowledge Partnership 13. GTZ 14. iNSnet Foundation 15. International Transport Forum 16. Institute for Transportation & Development Policy 17. KonSULT 18. Livable Streets Network 19. New Mobility Agenda 20. New Urbanism 21. Polis 22. Sustainable Cities Net 23. Sustainable Urban Transport Project 24. The PEP - Transport, Health & Environment 25. Transport Research Knowledge Centre 26. Transumo 27. Victoria Transport Policy Institute 28. WHO - Transport and Health 29. World Business Council for Sustainable Development 30. Next steps 31. Annexes * For latest PDF file, click to http://www.ecoplan.org/library/newmob-networks.pdf * For PowerPoint: http://www.ecoplan.org/library/newmob-networks.ppt New Mobility Agenda - The Commons - 8 rue Joseph Bara, 75006 Paris, France T: +331 4326 1323 New Mobility Partnerships - 9440 Readcrest Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90210 T: +1 310 601-8468 From sksunny at gmail.com Thu Aug 7 15:18:17 2008 From: sksunny at gmail.com (Sunny) Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2008 13:18:17 +0700 Subject: [sustran] Re: The City Fix Blog - well worth a read Message-ID: <255cf00808062318j54a77251t82c4db3efd69bc16@mail.gmail.com> There is also Streets blog http://www.streetsblog.org/ with some interesting articles. cheers sunny Carlosfelipe Pardo wrote: > I agree that Thecityfix is worth reading. I would also suggest: > - Paul's blog in the link http://reinventingtransport.blogspot.com/ > - Sustainable Transport Magazine (annually, via www.itdp.org) > > Any other suggestions are most welcome. > > Best regards, > > Carlos. > > 2008/8/6 Paul Barter > > >> I have nothing to do with the City Fix Blog, in case you think this >> message is going to sound like an advertisement. >> >> But I think it should be a "must read" for anyone interested in urban >> transport policy in developing countries (the same focus as >> sustran-discuss in other words). Even though it has been going since Jan >> 2007, I only found out about it a few months ago. >> >> Check it out at http://thecityfix.com/. It is a group blog with varied >> writers and was created by the folks at EMBARQ. >> >> Some notable recent items there include: >> * Why Is TransMilenio Still So Special? >> >> * Towards a Better BRT Taxonomy >> >> * The Amazing Egg Laying Wool Milk Sow >> >> * A Look Inside Beijing's Subway >> >> * From Busway to BRT >> >> Does anyone else have any suggestions for "must read" resources that are >> right on target for sustran-discuss? >> >> Paul >> >> Paul A. Barter | Assistant Professor | LKY School of Public Policy >> National University of Singapore | 469C Bukit Timah Road | Singapore >> 259772 | >> Tel: +65-6516 3324 | Fax: +65-6778 1020 | paulbarter@nus.edu.sg | >> http://www.spp.nus.edu.sg/Faculty_Paul_Barter.aspx >> >> Policy issues in urban transport: >> http://reinventingtransport.blogspot.com/ >> >> >> >> -------------------------------------------------------- >> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >> YAHOOGROUPS. >> >> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to >> join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The >> yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to the >> real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you >> can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >> >> ================================================================ >> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries >> (the 'Global South'). >> >> > -------------------------------------------------------- > IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via YAHOOGROUPS. > > Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to the real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. > > ================================================================ > SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries (the 'Global South'). > > From eric.britton at ecoplan.org Fri Aug 8 15:44:55 2008 From: eric.britton at ecoplan.org (Eric Britton) Date: Fri, 8 Aug 2008 08:44:55 +0200 Subject: [sustran] Global Networks in Support of New Mobility Message-ID: <00c101c8f922$485f5270$d91df750$@britton@ecoplan.org> I thought this was kind of interesting. After only two days of having this new collaborative project draft on line (at http://www.knowledge.newmobility.org), here is where the first expressions of interest are coming in from. And this before we have even started any kind of information program or outreach to get it going. It must speak to a felt need. cid:image003.png@01C8F932.E5D742F0 From banmt at yahoo.com Tue Aug 12 15:04:20 2008 From: banmt at yahoo.com (AD) Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:04:20 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] E-bikes vs bikes In-Reply-To: <4632.75.30.113.185.1164409820.squirrel@calmail.berkeley.edu> Message-ID: <871489.98087.qm@web39808.mail.mud.yahoo.com> As petrol price has increased recently from 14.500 VND to 19.000 VND (around 31%) (1USD~17.000VND), more and more Vietnamese people are buying e-bikes as an alternative for their motorbikes. However, concerning the environmental effects of electricity generation (burning oil/petrol/coal for thermal power or building dams for hydropower) and of manufacturing and disposing of?batteries used in e-bikes, i wonder if it is a good trend. Any advise or comment will be highly appreciated. Best regards, AD. --- On Sat, 11/25/06, cherry@berkeley.edu wrote: From: cherry@berkeley.edu Subject: [sustran] Re: Guangzhou bans electric bicycles To: sustran-discuss@list.jca.apc.org Date: Saturday, November 25, 2006, 6:10 AM Hopefully this doesn?t post twice, I had a computer glitch. Sorry in advance if it did. Chinese policy makers in have cited safety, lead pollution, contribution to congestion and ?image? as reasons for banning ebikes in Guangzhou and trying in Beijing. Electric bikes are very good on many levels. They provide mobility that is unmatched by almost any other mode and no tailpipe emissions. They do use electricity from predominately coal power plants, but even so, the emission rates per km are lower than most other modes. The human health impacts of power plant emissions in rural areas are likely lower than tailpipe emissions in dense cities. The biggest problem with ebikes is lead from battery use. Ebike batteries are about the same size as car batteries and they go through them rather fast. A lot of lead is lost during the manufacture and recycling processes, so even 100% recycling wouldn?t fix this problem. This isn?t a problem with ebikes, it?s a problem with the lead industry and the sooner ebikes transition into Li-ion or NiMH batteries the better. The ebike industry might need some regulatory ?help? making this transition. Ebikes aren?t necessarily unsafe, they are simply vulnerable, like bicyclists. Based on some data I?ve seen, they are no more unsafe that bicycles and they are much safer than cars. The safety argument doesn?t hold a lot of water in my opinion. The problem with most of the policy that is being developed is that policy makers are not considering alternative modes once ebikes are regulated. Ebikes are unsafe, dirty, congestion causing?compared to what mode. Compare them to cars and ebikes win on most metrics. Compare them to bicycles and they don?t. Most ebikers would otherwise use bus or bicycle, so the environmental/energy impact difference is small. The big benefit of ebikes that is not considered is the high levels of mobility and accessibility that they provide to lower income residents. These impacts are not being considered. The point is that this is not a completely green or sustainable transportation mode, but with some minor improvements and compared to the future alternative modes as incomes rise- it performs really well. This is the subject of my dissertation research in which addresses the above issues. Email me or check out my website if you would like to see some working papers or preliminary results. Christopher Cherry PhD Candidate Institute of Transportation Studies University of California, Berkeley cherry@berkeley.edu www.ce.berkeley.edu/~cherry www.its.berkeley.edu/volvocenter -------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via YAHOOGROUPS. Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to the real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. ================================================================ SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries (the 'Global South'). From sudhir at cai-asia.org Tue Aug 12 15:20:52 2008 From: sudhir at cai-asia.org (Sudhir) Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:20:52 +0800 Subject: [sustran] Re: E-bikes vs bikes In-Reply-To: <871489.98087.qm@web39808.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <4632.75.30.113.185.1164409820.squirrel@calmail.berkeley.edu> <871489.98087.qm@web39808.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: Dear AD, you can possibly look into the research from Christopher Cherry from University of California-Berkeley. http://www.its.berkeley.edu/publications/UCB/2007/VWP/UCB-ITS-VWP-2007-2.pdf regards Sudhir On 12/08/2008, AD wrote: > As petrol price has increased recently from 14.500 VND to 19.000 VND > (around 31%) (1USD~17.000VND), more and more Vietnamese people are buying > e-bikes as an alternative for their motorbikes. However, concerning the > environmental effects of electricity generation (burning oil/petrol/coal for > thermal power or building dams for hydropower) and of manufacturing and > disposing of batteries used in e-bikes, i wonder if it is a good trend. Any > advise or comment will be highly appreciated. > > Best regards, > > AD. > > > --- On Sat, 11/25/06, cherry@berkeley.edu wrote: > From: cherry@berkeley.edu > Subject: [sustran] Re: Guangzhou bans electric bicycles > To: sustran-discuss@list.jca.apc.org > Date: Saturday, November 25, 2006, 6:10 AM > > Hopefully this doesn't post twice, I had a computer glitch. Sorry in > advance if it did. > > Chinese policy makers in have cited safety, lead pollution, contribution > to congestion and "image" as reasons for banning ebikes in Guangzhou and > trying in Beijing. Electric bikes are very good on many levels. They > provide mobility that is unmatched by almost any other mode and no > tailpipe emissions. They do use electricity from predominately coal power > plants, but even so, the emission rates per km are lower than most other > modes. The human health impacts of power plant emissions in rural areas > are likely lower than tailpipe emissions in dense cities. The biggest > problem with ebikes is lead from battery use. Ebike batteries are about > the same size as car batteries and they go through them rather fast. A lot > of lead is lost during the manufacture and recycling processes, so even > 100% recycling wouldn't fix this problem. This isn't a problem with > ebikes, it's a problem with the lead industry and the sooner ebikes > transition into Li-ion or NiMH batteries the better. The ebike industry > might need some regulatory "help" making this transition. > > Ebikes aren't necessarily unsafe, they are simply vulnerable, like > bicyclists. Based on some data I've seen, they are no more unsafe that > bicycles and they are much safer than cars. The safety argument doesn't > hold a lot of water in my opinion. > > The problem with most of the policy that is being developed is that policy > makers are not considering alternative modes once ebikes are regulated. > Ebikes are unsafe, dirty, congestion causing?compared to what mode. > Compare them to cars and ebikes win on most metrics. Compare them to > bicycles and they don't. Most ebikers would otherwise use bus or bicycle, > so the environmental/energy impact difference is small. The big benefit of > ebikes that is not considered is the high levels of mobility and > accessibility that they provide to lower income residents. These impacts > are not being considered. > > The point is that this is not a completely green or sustainable > transportation mode, but with some minor improvements and compared to the > future alternative modes as incomes rise- it performs really well. > > This is the subject of my dissertation research in which addresses the > above issues. Email me or check out my website if you would like to see > some working papers or preliminary results. > > Christopher Cherry > PhD Candidate > Institute of Transportation Studies > University of California, Berkeley > cherry@berkeley.edu > www.ce.berkeley.edu/~cherry > www.its.berkeley.edu/volvocenter > > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------- > IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via > YAHOOGROUPS. > > Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to > join > the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The yahoogroups > version > is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to the real > sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you can). > Apologies for the confusing arrangement. > > ================================================================ > SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, > equitable > and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries (the 'Global > South'). > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------- > IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via > YAHOOGROUPS. > > Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to > join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The > yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to the > real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you > can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. > > ================================================================ > SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, > equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries > (the 'Global South'). > -- Sudhir Gota Transport Specialist CAI-Asia Center Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City Metro Manila, Philippines 1605 Tel: +63-2-395-2843 Fax: +63-2-395-2846 http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia Skype : sudhirgota From cherry at utk.edu Thu Aug 14 05:12:57 2008 From: cherry at utk.edu (Cherry, Chris R (Christopher Cherry)) Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:12:57 -0400 Subject: [sustran] Re: E-bikes vs bikes In-Reply-To: <20080813030112.457252C2C0@mx-list.jca.ne.jp> References: <20080813030112.457252C2C0@mx-list.jca.ne.jp> Message-ID: <77747183B4FD2445A7B139CD6416CD21850721@KFSVS4.utk.tennessee.edu> E-bikes emit a less on almost all levels than motorbikes. Some recent work we've been doing in China shows that e-bikes emit 1/3 the CO2 as a motorbike. Similar improvements can be seen on almost all local pollutants with the exception of SO2, which has comparable rates, but this highly depends on local electricity generation mix. Another issue where e-bikes have an advantage is the ability for agencies to manage a few point emission sources (power plants), compared to millions of tailpipes. Finally, emissions from power plants are generally more remote and thus populations have less exposure to the pollutant than ground-level tailpipe emissions in dense urban areas. In the context of local "tailpipe" emissions electric bikes/scooters/motorbikes perform much better than gasoline motorbikes. Lead pollution on the other hand is where electric bikes do not perform so well. This is something that the Vietnam EPA is addressing by developing a lead acid battery recycling system that encourages take-back into the "formal" sector, rather than backyard recyclers. I am working with them on this along with the development of an eco-label for sustainable battery production with an NGO, OK International (www.okinternational.org). Whether the Vietnamese can succeed in managing a "clean" lead battery supply chain is uncertain but they are certainly making an effort to address it, before e-bikes flood the market. Because of Vietnam's poor recycling infrastructure, a lot of lead scrap in Vietnam is being exported (illegally) to China, but that could change as more recyclers enter the market. It could be beneficial to begin looking at new battery technology for this new market, now that Lead has gotten expensive and Li-ion is coming down in price. One still has to address the recycling problem, but Li-ion could be more manageable than Lead. There is also some work in progress looking at some market analysis, using a stated preference survey that we conducted in June. The initial results actually show quite a strong preference for e-scooters, based on performance, cost and other metrics. I will send an email to this listserve when I have a report with some solid findings. To summarize, e-scooters will improve local air quality, energy efficiency, and GHG emissions in Vietnam (perhaps also improving cost effectiveness of travel and safety at the same time). Introducing e-vehicles into the cities will increase lead pollution, simply because most current e-scooters use large lead batteries, frequently. The cost of alternative technology (Li-ion) is coming down, potentially leading to more adoption (maybe with the help of regulators). Also, Vietnam policy makers have been more pro-active than most in addressing lead problems in the past couple of years (in my opinion), so there is a higher chance that there will be a robust take-back policy like we see in the North America or Europe, and hopefully this will lead to high rates of formal recycling. Chris Cherry Assistant Professor Civil and Environmental Engineering University of Tennessee-Knoxville 223 Perkins Hall Knoxville, TN 37996-2010 phone: 865-974-7710 mobile: 865-684-8106 fax: 865-974-2669 http://web.utk.edu/~cherry -----Original Message----- From: sustran-discuss-bounces+cherry=utk.edu@list.jca.apc.org [mailto:sustran-discuss-bounces+cherry=utk.edu@list.jca.apc.org] On Behalf Of sustran-discuss-request@list.jca.apc.org Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 11:01 PM To: sustran-discuss@list.jca.apc.org Subject: Sustran-discuss Digest, Vol 60, Issue 8 Send Sustran-discuss mailing list submissions to sustran-discuss@list.jca.apc.org To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to sustran-discuss-request@list.jca.apc.org You can reach the person managing the list at sustran-discuss-owner@list.jca.apc.org When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Sustran-discuss digest..." ######################################################################## Sustran-discuss Mailing List Digest IMPORTANT NOTE: When replying please do not include the whole digest in your reply - just include the relevant part of the specific message that you are responding to. Many thanks. About this mailing list see: http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss ######################################################################## Today's Topics: 1. E-bikes vs bikes (AD) 2. Re: E-bikes vs bikes (Sudhir) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:04:20 -0700 (PDT) From: AD Subject: [sustran] E-bikes vs bikes To: Global 'South' Sustainable Transport , banmt@yahoo.com Message-ID: <871489.98087.qm@web39808.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 As petrol price has increased recently from 14.500 VND to 19.000 VND (around 31%) (1USD~17.000VND), more and more Vietnamese people are buying e-bikes as an alternative for their motorbikes. However, concerning the environmental effects of electricity generation (burning oil/petrol/coal for thermal power or building dams for hydropower) and of manufacturing and disposing of?batteries used in e-bikes, i wonder if it is a good trend. Any advise or comment will be highly appreciated. Best regards, AD. --- On Sat, 11/25/06, cherry@berkeley.edu wrote: From: cherry@berkeley.edu Subject: [sustran] Re: Guangzhou bans electric bicycles To: sustran-discuss@list.jca.apc.org Date: Saturday, November 25, 2006, 6:10 AM Hopefully this doesn?t post twice, I had a computer glitch. Sorry in advance if it did. Chinese policy makers in have cited safety, lead pollution, contribution to congestion and ?image? as reasons for banning ebikes in Guangzhou and trying in Beijing. Electric bikes are very good on many levels. They provide mobility that is unmatched by almost any other mode and no tailpipe emissions. They do use electricity from predominately coal power plants, but even so, the emission rates per km are lower than most other modes. The human health impacts of power plant emissions in rural areas are likely lower than tailpipe emissions in dense cities. The biggest problem with ebikes is lead from battery use. Ebike batteries are about the same size as car batteries and they go through them rather fast. A lot of lead is lost during the manufacture and recycling processes, so even 100% recycling wouldn?t fix this problem. This isn?t a problem with ebikes, it?s a problem with the lead industry and the sooner ebikes transition into Li-ion or NiMH batteries the better. The ebike industry might need some regulatory ?help? making this transition. Ebikes aren?t necessarily unsafe, they are simply vulnerable, like bicyclists. Based on some data I?ve seen, they are no more unsafe that bicycles and they are much safer than cars. The safety argument doesn?t hold a lot of water in my opinion. The problem with most of the policy that is being developed is that policy makers are not considering alternative modes once ebikes are regulated. Ebikes are unsafe, dirty, congestion causing?compared to what mode. Compare them to cars and ebikes win on most metrics. Compare them to bicycles and they don?t. Most ebikers would otherwise use bus or bicycle, so the environmental/energy impact difference is small. The big benefit of ebikes that is not considered is the high levels of mobility and accessibility that they provide to lower income residents. These impacts are not being considered. The point is that this is not a completely green or sustainable transportation mode, but with some minor improvements and compared to the future alternative modes as incomes rise- it performs really well. This is the subject of my dissertation research in which addresses the above issues. Email me or check out my website if you would like to see some working papers or preliminary results. Christopher Cherry PhD Candidate Institute of Transportation Studies University of California, Berkeley cherry@berkeley.edu www.ce.berkeley.edu/~cherry www.its.berkeley.edu/volvocenter -------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via YAHOOGROUPS. Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to the real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. ================================================================ SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries (the 'Global South'). ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:20:52 +0800 From: Sudhir Subject: [sustran] Re: E-bikes vs bikes To: banmt@yahoo.com Cc: Global 'South' Sustainable Transport Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252 Dear AD, you can possibly look into the research from Christopher Cherry from University of California-Berkeley. http://www.its.berkeley.edu/publications/UCB/2007/VWP/UCB-ITS-VWP-2007-2 .pdf regards Sudhir On 12/08/2008, AD wrote: > As petrol price has increased recently from 14.500 VND to 19.000 VND > (around 31%) (1USD~17.000VND), more and more Vietnamese people are buying > e-bikes as an alternative for their motorbikes. However, concerning the > environmental effects of electricity generation (burning oil/petrol/coal for > thermal power or building dams for hydropower) and of manufacturing and > disposing of batteries used in e-bikes, i wonder if it is a good trend. Any > advise or comment will be highly appreciated. > > Best regards, > > AD. > > > --- On Sat, 11/25/06, cherry@berkeley.edu wrote: > From: cherry@berkeley.edu > Subject: [sustran] Re: Guangzhou bans electric bicycles > To: sustran-discuss@list.jca.apc.org > Date: Saturday, November 25, 2006, 6:10 AM > > Hopefully this doesn't post twice, I had a computer glitch. Sorry in > advance if it did. > > Chinese policy makers in have cited safety, lead pollution, contribution > to congestion and "image" as reasons for banning ebikes in Guangzhou and > trying in Beijing. Electric bikes are very good on many levels. They > provide mobility that is unmatched by almost any other mode and no > tailpipe emissions. They do use electricity from predominately coal power > plants, but even so, the emission rates per km are lower than most other > modes. The human health impacts of power plant emissions in rural areas > are likely lower than tailpipe emissions in dense cities. The biggest > problem with ebikes is lead from battery use. Ebike batteries are about > the same size as car batteries and they go through them rather fast. A lot > of lead is lost during the manufacture and recycling processes, so even > 100% recycling wouldn't fix this problem. This isn't a problem with > ebikes, it's a problem with the lead industry and the sooner ebikes > transition into Li-ion or NiMH batteries the better. The ebike industry > might need some regulatory "help" making this transition. > > Ebikes aren't necessarily unsafe, they are simply vulnerable, like > bicyclists. Based on some data I've seen, they are no more unsafe that > bicycles and they are much safer than cars. The safety argument doesn't > hold a lot of water in my opinion. > > The problem with most of the policy that is being developed is that policy > makers are not considering alternative modes once ebikes are regulated. > Ebikes are unsafe, dirty, congestion causing?compared to what mode. > Compare them to cars and ebikes win on most metrics. Compare them to > bicycles and they don't. Most ebikers would otherwise use bus or bicycle, > so the environmental/energy impact difference is small. The big benefit of > ebikes that is not considered is the high levels of mobility and > accessibility that they provide to lower income residents. These impacts > are not being considered. > > The point is that this is not a completely green or sustainable > transportation mode, but with some minor improvements and compared to the > future alternative modes as incomes rise- it performs really well. > > This is the subject of my dissertation research in which addresses the > above issues. Email me or check out my website if you would like to see > some working papers or preliminary results. > > Christopher Cherry > PhD Candidate > Institute of Transportation Studies > University of California, Berkeley > cherry@berkeley.edu > www.ce.berkeley.edu/~cherry > www.its.berkeley.edu/volvocenter > > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------- > IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via > YAHOOGROUPS. > > Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to > join > the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The yahoogroups > version > is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to the real > sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you can). > Apologies for the confusing arrangement. > > ================================================================ > SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, > equitable > and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries (the 'Global > South'). > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------- > IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via > YAHOOGROUPS. > > Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to > join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The > yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to the > real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you > can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. > > ================================================================ > SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, > equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries > (the 'Global South'). > -- Sudhir Gota Transport Specialist CAI-Asia Center Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City Metro Manila, Philippines 1605 Tel: +63-2-395-2843 Fax: +63-2-395-2846 http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia Skype : sudhirgota ------------------------------ ================================================================ SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries (the 'Global South'). End of Sustran-discuss Digest, Vol 60, Issue 8 ********************************************** From sudhir at cai-asia.org Fri Aug 15 10:05:03 2008 From: sudhir at cai-asia.org (Sudhir) Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:05:03 +0800 Subject: [sustran] Delhi Metro article.. Message-ID: Dear All, Please have a look at this article. we should think about this..... http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=331266 *Source : Business Standard* ** *A K Bhattacharya: In defence of Delhi Metro* NEW DELHI DIARY *A K Bhattacharya / New Delhi August 13, 2008, 0:21 IST* Those who regularly use the Delhi Metro service swear by it. The first phase of the network, covering a 65-kilometre stretch that now carries about 800,000 passengers every day, was completed ahead of schedule. Its service was efficient, when it started the first leg of the network more than five years ago. It continues to be so even today. The service stands out because of the manner in which its coaches and the station areas are regularly maintained and kept clean. Most users are impressed by Delhi Metro's adherence to basic safety guidelines, punctuality of service and the use of technology for the benefit of its passengers. What's more, Delhi Metro's operational efficiency will make any manager turn green with envy. Its operating ratio (expenditure as a proportion of the total income) has seen steady improvements over the years. In 2007-08, it was down to 0.52 from 0.60-0.64 a year before. In other words, Delhi Metro's expenditure on running the service is now just about half its total income. For connoisseurs, experts and economists, though, Delhi Metro has many problems. First, there are those who question the very model of running a highly capital-intensive metro service in a city like Delhi. A metro service, they argue, is better suited to cities that have grown vertically and not to those like Delhi, which has seen circular growth. Second, there are legitimate questions about the manner in which Delhi Metro has been funded. The bulk of Delhi Metro's financing needs has been met through long-term loans from Japanese and other agencies at hugely concessional interest rates. The money it has got is virtually free. So, its real costs have been hidden and the operational efficiency that Delhi Metro boasts of will not look as dramatic if it had to budget for market rates of interest on the funds it used to build the network. Third, there is a view that Delhi Metro has hugely benefitted from the large tracts of land it got from the government. It has used that land to develop real estate and augment its income. Indeed, only 40 per cent of its total revenue is coming from traffic operations and Delhi Metro's target is to reduce it further. In other words, Delhi Metro's profit is boosted not so much by its traffic income as by what it earns from real estate (which incidentally is now more than its revenue from traffic). And finally, there is the argument that the ownership structure followed for Delhi Metro is not sustainable. With the state and the Centre owning 50 per cent each in Delhi Metro, neither of the shareholders can actually assert itself or drive the company. This, it is argued, is not a healthy structure. Each of these arguments may have some merit. Delhi Metro may not be the ideal form of public transport in the capital city. Concessional funds may have skewed the general assessment of Delhi Metro's financial performance and credit is being given where it is not due (though, public transport projects are globally subsidised through such concessional funding). Real estate development has given an advantage to Delhi Metro which no other public transport provider in the country has got so far. And finally, there may be some merit in the view that the success of Delhi Metro is largely dependent on an efficient administrator like its present managing director, E Sreedharan. But once he is gone, the system might collapse. So, Delhi Metro's ownership structure is not what should be replicated in any other city. But it is important to note that the entire debate on Delhi Metro has centred round its financial model, its ownership structure and the use of real estate to augment revenues. The fact that it is a public transport network offering service efficiently and at a reasonable tariff seems to have no place in this debate. There are few examples of an efficient public service network in this country and when one of them shines like the way Delhi Metro does, it is perhaps more appropriate to assess how that model has worked, instead of focussing on what is wrong with it. Indeed, the 50:50 ownership pattern, followed for Delhi Metro, may well be the preferred option for most other public transport systems, provided the management of such a network is given the kind of operational autonomy that E Sreedharan has got. There is no need to allow him to run metro services in other cities as subsidiaries of Delhi Metro. But surely the same ownership structure with a top management that enjoys full autonomy with clearly defined performance goals will be a better option. The Hyderabad metro project has raised hopes of a new model in which a private sector infrastructure company will implement the public transport project at no cost to the government. The irony is that the Hyderabad metro project also is dependent on real estate development as a significant source of revenue. And given what problems surface when private sector players start acquiring land for their projects (special economic zones and Posco are recent examples), the government's gains from the Hyderabad project may well remain illusory. -- Sudhir Gota Transport Specialist CAI-Asia Center Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City Metro Manila, Philippines 1605 Tel: +63-2-395-2843 Fax: +63-2-395-2846 http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia Skype : sudhirgota From eric.britton at ecoplan.org Fri Aug 15 15:14:24 2008 From: eric.britton at ecoplan.org (Eric Britton) Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:14:24 +0200 Subject: [sustran] be sure you want it by showing you are willing to pay for ALL of it Message-ID: <009901c8fe9e$4acc4cd0$e064e670$@britton@ecoplan.org> On Behalf Of Lee Schipper To sound heretical, I think a key issue here is who pays. The US had a long series of these built with OPM ("other people's money") expensive, underutilized (i.e. without good load factors), i.e. a high cost per person transported or per unit of capacity. I would prefer ot see a city or region build on its own money as part of a wide-ranging set of land use changes that assure that homes, jobs, culture, etc will be connected by the street car. Congestion charging (as Clifford Winston of Brookings would argue), fuel taxes and carbon taxes may also be necessary to make any particular collective transport "work" i.e.. really be used. Otherwise the results are sitting ducks for the Otoole's of the world. On the other hand, why not the less expensive BRT route. LA finally got the go-ahead for a dedicated lane on its Wilshire Blvd route. Far lower cost than trams (and don't even breath "metro") they expect 2 minute headways using articulated buses. And yes these do fit in congested spaces like trams do, as Ottawa and Brisbane have shown at the downtown ends of their BRT. In other words, what do you want to do? Reduce traffic, increase access, stimulate development of homes, jobs, etc in town (I think)? how do you want to do it? Some combo of higher costs of using cars and better access through collective transport."? If the tram falls out as part of the solution, fine, But to start off by building a tram or a BRT or metro without first asking what you want to do, then what are the alternatives, then how to make them happen. then pay for it yourself and don;t go begging elsewhere. Add a regional gasoline tax rather than waiting for the long process to get federal money that ultimate comes from gasoline taxes. That is, be sure you want it by showing you are willing to pay for ALL of it. Lee Schipper Visiting Scholar UC Transportation Center Berkeley CA USA www.uctc.net skype: mrmeter +1 510 642 6889, FAX +1 510 642 6061 Cell +1 202 262 7476 www.uctc.net _____ From: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com [mailto:NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Eric Britton Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2008 8:25 AM To: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com Subject: [NewMobilityCafe] Downtowns Across U.S. See Streetcars in Their Future From: Dave Brook [mailto:dbrook@easystreet.com] In reality these streetcars are being used for much the same reason that streetcars were first built at the turn of the (last) century - to open up new areas for real estate development. A difference is that the current generation (at least in the US) are being used to upgrade existing neighborhoods and tend not to have such long routes. This is somewhat different than the "line haul" nature of light rail, which tends to have it's own right of way, high capacity, etc. Still, they create the perfect conditions for carsharing. Dave Brook Portland, Oregon (US streetcar capital?) On Aug 14, 2008, at 5:20 AM, Kevin McLaughlin wrote: Downtowns Across the U.S. See Streetcars in Their Future NY Times By BOB DRIEHAUS Published: August 13, 2008 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/14/us/14streetcar.html?r=1 &adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1218716221-4ABEpGaZyRNlTSuTZd8YFQ __._,_.___ Messages in this topic (3) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic Messages | Links | Database | Polls | Calendar Check in here via the homepage at http://www.newmobility.org To post message to group: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com Please think twice before posting to the group as a whole (It might be that your note is best sent to one person?) Image removed by sender. Yahoo! Groups Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Recent Activity . 2 New Members Visit Your Group Yahoo! Finance It's Now Personal Guides, news, advice & more. Discover Tips on healthy living and healthy eating on Yahoo! Groups. Yahoo! Groups Everyday Wellness Zone Check out featured healthy living groups. . Image removed by sender. __,_._,___ From eric.britton at ecoplan.org Fri Aug 15 17:07:54 2008 From: eric.britton at ecoplan.org (Eric Britton) Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2008 10:07:54 +0200 Subject: [sustran] Beijing 2008: Traffic situation under control? Message-ID: <00f301c8feae$0a736b40$1f5a41c0$@britton@ecoplan.org> Thanks to Rainer Rothfuss for the heads-up? Official statistics say congestion has dropped 78.8 per cent: http://au.sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news/article/-/4834980/traffic-congestio n-slashed-beijing Traffic congestion 'slashed in Beijing' AAP - July 29, 2008, 8:40 pm Chinese authorities claim they have reduced traffic congestion on Beijing roads by almost 80 per cent ahead of the Olympic Games. The Beijing Traffic Management Bureau also says minor accidents have halved since traffic restrictions were introduced earlier this month. The restrictions include banning private cars on alternate days based on odd and even number plates, banning "non green" local vehicles and limiting non-local cars. There are also 285.7km of lanes dedicated to Olympic vehicles around the city. While the move is also aimed at reducing emissions to help improve Beijing's air quality, the bureau said it would also help traffic efficiency. Official statistics say congestion has dropped 78.8 per cent since the restrictions were introduced. The bureau said Beijing's citizens had been "devoting themselves to and looking forward to the advent of the Olympic Games" by embracing the temporary traffic laws. "This phenomenon has moved us greatly, because the public are positively responding to the policy and limiting themselves in driving," it said in a statement. The bureau said its goal was to have the "best traffic condition in human history". This is being done with safe traffic conditions and "beaming traffic policemen", ensuring harmony between Olympic and non-Olympic traffic, it said. In addition, 6,500 traffic police are ready to explain "the profound meaning of `Smiling Beijing traffic police' with the highest standard and the best service". For the Olympic Family, the Beijing Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) has brought in 8,660 vehicles and 13,000 professional drivers to ferry around athletes, officials and media. Sadly, none of this helped prevented one bus driver getting lost on the 20 minute journey from the main press centre to the media accommodation on Monday night. Post-Games Beijing plans to cut traffic By Ben Blanchard | 2008-8-14 | OLYMPIC host city Beijing has no plans beyond the Games to extend traffic control measures that have seen half the cars taken off the roads, despite the program's success at curbing pollution and congestion, an official said yesterday. But Zhou Zhengyu, deputy head of the Beijing Municipal Committee of Communications, said he hoped citizens would continue taking public transport and leave their cars at home once the Olympics finished. Under rules in force from July 20 to September 20, cars are banned on alternate days depending on whether their licence plates end in odd or even numbers. The move was one of the emergency steps taken by Beijing to ease smog levels. "These restrictive steps, we have called temporary measures," Zhou said. "At present, we will stick to the measures as announced." Many who complained the restrictions were inconvenient, especially car owners, now realized taking public transport was not so bad as the benefits to the environment could clearly be seen in the reduction in pollution, he added. Last month Beijing had 26 "blue sky" days, which China terms as "days with fairly good air quality," which was three days more than in July last year. The first three days of August had "top level air quality," according to authorities. "A change is happening in people who are learning about public transport during the Olympics," Zhou said. "We hope that through the Olympics even more people can see the positive side of public transport." Beijing's streets regularly grind to a standstill under a crush of traffic, even when it is not rush hour. Many people view public transport, like the crowded bus and subway system, as something to avoid if possible. Yet Zhou said the government was committed to getting people to use public transport, backed by a massive investment in subways and suburban railways in particular, and by keeping transport ticket prices low. Updates on Chines measures to improve traffic management: http:// From sudhir at cai-asia.org Mon Aug 18 11:48:50 2008 From: sudhir at cai-asia.org (Sudhir) Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:48:50 +0800 Subject: [sustran] Hyderabad to get 71-km metro 'free of cost' Message-ID: Dear All, Please have a look at one more Metro News from India. Does anyone have an idea about the routes planned? free of cost???? http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=330835 *Hyderabad to get 71-km metro 'free of cost'* ** Delhi's 65-km metro cost the state and central governments Rs 10,500 crore. In comparison, Hyderabad is about to get a 71-km metro without the central or state government paying a rupee. Instead, the Andhra Pradesh government will receive Rs 1,240 crore (calculated at present value) by simply giving the concession to a private consortium. The state cabinet approved the concession agreement and the winning bid at its meeting in Hyderabad earlier this week. The winning consortium is led by the city's Satyam group, which has so far focused on its software business. This dramatic bid result was so unexpected that the bid documents had not even considered the possibility of the government being the net financial gainer. Instead, the central government had expected to fork out about 20 per cent of the project cost of Rs 12,410 crore as a capital subsidy, with the possibility of a further 10 per cent funding from the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission. The state government, in turn, had been prepared to fork out about 10 per cent of the project cost. The combined saving for the Centre and state is, therefore, about Rs 4,800 crore or more, over and above which the state government will now receive Rs 30,300 crore from the concessionaires over the life of the concession. Discounted (at 13.5 per cent a year) to get its present value, that money is worth Rs 1,240 crore today. Officials who have steered the project argue that the Hyderabad experience opens up a completely new way of building metro services in the big cities, at zero cost to governments and city administrations. In contrast, Bangalore's 42-km metro is a state-funded project costing Rs 6,500 crore. Mumbai has given the contract for the 11-km first phase of its metro project (costing Rs 2,356 crore) to a consortium led by the Reliance Anil Ambani group, with a government-paid capital subsidy of Rs 650 crore. Five consortia had been shortlisted for the Hyderabad metro concession, which is to run for 35 years, with a possible extension by another 25 years. Of these, a GVK-led consortium did not bid finally. An Essar-Alsthom consortium asked for a subsidy from the government of Rs 3,100 crore, while a Reliance Energy-Bombardier consortium wanted Rs 2,811 crore. The bid that came closest to the one by Satyam was from a Malaysian-led group which included Siemens and Nagarjuna, which had offered to pay the government Rs 151 crore. The tariff has been set at Rs 8 to Rs 20. The tariff on the Delhi Metro for comparable distances is Rs 6 to Rs 22. The project team that is celebrating its success now was led by NVS Reddy, a railway accounts service officer in Hyderabad, while the political leadership was provided by the Andhra Pradesh chief minister, YS Rajshekhar Reddy. In Delhi, the mentoring with regard to the concession agreement and the specifications manual was provided by Gajendra Haldea of the Planning Commission. Based on the success of the Hyderabad model, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia is understood to have written to the Prime Minister, suggesting that this be the model followed for other metro projects?a view that is apparently being opposed by the Ministry of Urban Development, which prefers the Delhi metro model. -- Sudhir Gota Transport Specialist CAI-Asia Center Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City Metro Manila, Philippines 1605 Tel: +63-2-395-2843 Fax: +63-2-395-2846 http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia Skype : sudhirgota From sudhir at cai-asia.org Mon Aug 18 11:48:50 2008 From: sudhir at cai-asia.org (Sudhir) Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:48:50 +0800 Subject: [sustran] [NewMobilityCafe] Hyderabad to get 71-km metro 'free of cost' Message-ID: Dear All, Please have a look at one more Metro News from India. Does anyone have an idea about the routes planned? free of cost???? http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=330835 *Hyderabad to get 71-km metro 'free of cost'* ** Delhi's 65-km metro cost the state and central governments Rs 10,500 crore. In comparison, Hyderabad is about to get a 71-km metro without the central or state government paying a rupee. Instead, the Andhra Pradesh government will receive Rs 1,240 crore (calculated at present value) by simply giving the concession to a private consortium. The state cabinet approved the concession agreement and the winning bid at its meeting in Hyderabad earlier this week. The winning consortium is led by the city's Satyam group, which has so far focused on its software business. This dramatic bid result was so unexpected that the bid documents had not even considered the possibility of the government being the net financial gainer. Instead, the central government had expected to fork out about 20 per cent of the project cost of Rs 12,410 crore as a capital subsidy, with the possibility of a further 10 per cent funding from the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission. The state government, in turn, had been prepared to fork out about 10 per cent of the project cost. The combined saving for the Centre and state is, therefore, about Rs 4,800 crore or more, over and above which the state government will now receive Rs 30,300 crore from the concessionaires over the life of the concession. Discounted (at 13.5 per cent a year) to get its present value, that money is worth Rs 1,240 crore today. Officials who have steered the project argue that the Hyderabad experience opens up a completely new way of building metro services in the big cities, at zero cost to governments and city administrations. In contrast, Bangalore's 42-km metro is a state-funded project costing Rs 6,500 crore. Mumbai has given the contract for the 11-km first phase of its metro project (costing Rs 2,356 crore) to a consortium led by the Reliance Anil Ambani group, with a government-paid capital subsidy of Rs 650 crore. Five consortia had been shortlisted for the Hyderabad metro concession, which is to run for 35 years, with a possible extension by another 25 years. Of these, a GVK-led consortium did not bid finally. An Essar-Alsthom consortium asked for a subsidy from the government of Rs 3,100 crore, while a Reliance Energy-Bombardier consortium wanted Rs 2,811 crore. The bid that came closest to the one by Satyam was from a Malaysian-led group which included Siemens and Nagarjuna, which had offered to pay the government Rs 151 crore. The tariff has been set at Rs 8 to Rs 20. The tariff on the Delhi Metro for comparable distances is Rs 6 to Rs 22. The project team that is celebrating its success now was led by NVS Reddy, a railway accounts service officer in Hyderabad, while the political leadership was provided by the Andhra Pradesh chief minister, YS Rajshekhar Reddy. In Delhi, the mentoring with regard to the concession agreement and the specifications manual was provided by Gajendra Haldea of the Planning Commission. Based on the success of the Hyderabad model, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia is understood to have written to the Prime Minister, suggesting that this be the model followed for other metro projects?a view that is apparently being opposed by the Ministry of Urban Development, which prefers the Delhi metro model. -- Sudhir Gota Transport Specialist CAI-Asia Center Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City Metro Manila, Philippines 1605 Tel: +63-2-395-2843 Fax: +63-2-395-2846 http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia Skype : sudhirgota From sureta at uc.cl Mon Aug 18 23:19:01 2008 From: sureta at uc.cl (Sebastian Ureta) Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:19:01 -0400 Subject: [sustran] Reminder - CFP Mobility, the City and STS workshop Message-ID: <006101c9013d$5ce98350$16bc89f0$@cl> * apologies for cross posting * Reminder ? Call for papers "Mobility, the City and STS" workshop Technical University Denmark, Copenhagen November 20-22, 2008 The aim of this workshop is to bring together social scientists and other researchers to present and discuss empirical or theoretical work about the relationships between mobility and society from one particular perspective: Science and Technology Studies (STS). In the last two decades STS has grown from being a discipline mainly focused on scientific practice and places to develop a general interest in the interconnections between science, technology and society in an increasing number of highly diverse places. Especially through the development of constructivist and Actor-Network approaches, STS offers a very sophisticated array of theoretical concepts and methodological tools to study contemporary societies. In this workshop the general idea is to present work that apply these concepts and tools to the analysis of the role of mobility in contemporary societies through the presentation of specific case-studies. In order to keep the invitation as open as possible, we welcome submissions of paper proposals from a wide variety of perspectives in relation with the connections between mobility and STS: ? Different kinds: from private to public, from transport of people to mobility of information and materials. ? Different scales: from individual mobilities to large socio-technical transport systems. ? Different actors: from technologies (buses, cars, mobile phones) and mobility infrastructures (bus stops, travel information, information networks, etc.) to users and quotidian practices. ? Different locations: from developed to developing countries, from megacities to small towns. The papers presented are planned to be compiled, edited and published as a book or a special issue of a relevant, peer-reviewed, journal. Extended deadline for abstracts September 15th 2008. For further information on the workshop see the attached CFP. Best wishes, Sebasti?n Ureta Icaza Instituto de Sociolog?a Universidad Cat?lica de Chile Tel?fono: 56-2-6864213 E-mail: HYPERLINK "mailto:sureta@uc.cl"sureta@uc.cl No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.6.3/1611 - Release Date: 14-08-2008 6:20 From whook at itdp.org Tue Aug 19 01:11:39 2008 From: whook at itdp.org (Walter Hook) Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:11:39 -0400 Subject: [sustran] Re: Hyderabad to get 71-km metro 'free of cost' In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <0D171F890BA44BE981D03432C2AC1086@DFJLYL81> Before declaring this a 'success' it would be good to wait and see the system built and operational, and how much it costs the government. We know the routes proposed pretty well, and we have done an analysis of this system, and it is not possible to finance through private sector financing. If the fare is too high, people will continue to use motorcycles and three wheelers, so demand elasticity is very high. The government will end up paying the bill one way or another. Perhaps they will have to provide demand guarantees, or loan guarantees, perhaps they are going to provide big chunks of government land or something. Lets see. The routes may have been modified somewhat but our analysis of the metro option in Hyderabad is still on our web site: http://www.itdp.org/index.php/information_center/document_detail/pre_feasibi lity_brt_hyderabad/ best walter -----Original Message----- From: sustran-discuss-bounces+whook=itdp.org@list.jca.apc.org [mailto:sustran-discuss-bounces+whook=itdp.org@list.jca.apc.org] On Behalf Of Sudhir Sent: Sunday, August 17, 2008 10:49 PM To: Global 'South' Sustainable Transport; NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com Subject: [sustran] Hyderabad to get 71-km metro 'free of cost' Dear All, Please have a look at one more Metro News from India. Does anyone have an idea about the routes planned? free of cost???? http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=330835 *Hyderabad to get 71-km metro 'free of cost'* ** Delhi's 65-km metro cost the state and central governments Rs 10,500 crore. In comparison, Hyderabad is about to get a 71-km metro without the central or state government paying a rupee. Instead, the Andhra Pradesh government will receive Rs 1,240 crore (calculated at present value) by simply giving the concession to a private consortium. The state cabinet approved the concession agreement and the winning bid at its meeting in Hyderabad earlier this week. The winning consortium is led by the city's Satyam group, which has so far focused on its software business. This dramatic bid result was so unexpected that the bid documents had not even considered the possibility of the government being the net financial gainer. Instead, the central government had expected to fork out about 20 per cent of the project cost of Rs 12,410 crore as a capital subsidy, with the possibility of a further 10 per cent funding from the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission. The state government, in turn, had been prepared to fork out about 10 per cent of the project cost. The combined saving for the Centre and state is, therefore, about Rs 4,800 crore or more, over and above which the state government will now receive Rs 30,300 crore from the concessionaires over the life of the concession. Discounted (at 13.5 per cent a year) to get its present value, that money is worth Rs 1,240 crore today. Officials who have steered the project argue that the Hyderabad experience opens up a completely new way of building metro services in the big cities, at zero cost to governments and city administrations. In contrast, Bangalore's 42-km metro is a state-funded project costing Rs 6,500 crore. Mumbai has given the contract for the 11-km first phase of its metro project (costing Rs 2,356 crore) to a consortium led by the Reliance Anil Ambani group, with a government-paid capital subsidy of Rs 650 crore. Five consortia had been shortlisted for the Hyderabad metro concession, which is to run for 35 years, with a possible extension by another 25 years. Of these, a GVK-led consortium did not bid finally. An Essar-Alsthom consortium asked for a subsidy from the government of Rs 3,100 crore, while a Reliance Energy-Bombardier consortium wanted Rs 2,811 crore. The bid that came closest to the one by Satyam was from a Malaysian-led group which included Siemens and Nagarjuna, which had offered to pay the government Rs 151 crore. The tariff has been set at Rs 8 to Rs 20. The tariff on the Delhi Metro for comparable distances is Rs 6 to Rs 22. The project team that is celebrating its success now was led by NVS Reddy, a railway accounts service officer in Hyderabad, while the political leadership was provided by the Andhra Pradesh chief minister, YS Rajshekhar Reddy. In Delhi, the mentoring with regard to the concession agreement and the specifications manual was provided by Gajendra Haldea of the Planning Commission. Based on the success of the Hyderabad model, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia is understood to have written to the Prime Minister, suggesting that this be the model followed for other metro projects-a view that is apparently being opposed by the Ministry of Urban Development, which prefers the Delhi metro model. -- Sudhir Gota Transport Specialist CAI-Asia Center Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City Metro Manila, Philippines 1605 Tel: +63-2-395-2843 Fax: +63-2-395-2846 http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia Skype : sudhirgota -------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via YAHOOGROUPS. Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to the real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. ================================================================ SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries (the 'Global South'). From kanthikannan at gmail.com Thu Aug 21 11:07:14 2008 From: kanthikannan at gmail.com (Kanthi Kannan) Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:37:14 +0530 Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read In-Reply-To: <0D171F890BA44BE981D03432C2AC1086@DFJLYL81> Message-ID: <48accddb.06876e0a.0946.4df7@mx.google.com> http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US agency and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to check. In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these recommendations have been adopted? Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all traffic problems. We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted metro in the country. Kanthi Kannan The Right to Walk Foundation www.right2walk.com From sksunny at gmail.com Thu Aug 21 12:26:22 2008 From: sksunny at gmail.com (Sunny) Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:26:22 +0700 Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read Message-ID: <255cf00808202026k719fd933kb12b242d9d3ff1f1@mail.gmail.com> Dear Kanthi, Thanks a lot for the reference. I am doubtful on how having pedestrian crossings will increase traffic speeds, unless such crossing mean building over-bridges - which take space from the foot-paths and worsen the pain of pedestrians to cross a road. The argument is simple "Why should a pedestrian climb up and down a (long) bridge, just for a car to go fast?" Since you belong to the Right to Walk foundation, it would be great if you can lobby for the pedestrians and cyclists and against the FOB it would be a great step. Mixing traffic might not be a bad idea unless done in a very fashionable way, see the concept of shared space for more info. There are cases of reduced accidents and better driver behaviour in areas with shared space. Also in terms of pollution, the FOB's use cement and need extra lighting (electricity) which are good contributors for pollution and so are widened roads It will be very useful for the group (and esp. for myself) if you can elaborate on the short term and long term measures that you were talking of in Hyderabad. thanks again for the mail and best of luck! cheers sunny Kanthi Kannan wrote: http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US agency and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to check. In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these recommendations have been adopted? Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all traffic problems. We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted metro in the country. Kanthi Kannan The Right to Walk Foundation www.right2walk.com -------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via YAHOOGROUPS. Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to the real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. ================================================================ SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries (the 'Global South'). -- *Santhosh (Sunny) Kodukula* Urban Transport Expert GTZ ? Sustainable Urban Transport Project (SUTP) 0942, Transport and Tourism Division, UNITED NATIONS, ESCAP Building, Rajadamnern Nok Ave., Bangkok 10200, THAILAND Ph: +66 (0)2 288 1321 Fax: +66 (0)2 280 6042 Mob:+66 (0)84 113 0181 Email: santhosh.kodukula [at] sutp.org Skype: sunny_nwho Web: http://www.sutp.org From sujitjp at gmail.com Thu Aug 21 13:18:07 2008 From: sujitjp at gmail.com (Sujit Patwardhan) Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:48:07 +0530 Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read In-Reply-To: <48accddb.06876e0a.0946.4df7@mx.google.com> References: <0D171F890BA44BE981D03432C2AC1086@DFJLYL81> <48accddb.06876e0a.0946.4df7@mx.google.com> Message-ID: <4cfd20aa0808202118l4214d496j9b479766d5604328@mail.gmail.com> * in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail* I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long term ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public Transport -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the same as Skywalks) -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These need not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested areas sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided traffic calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib in Paris after thorough planning -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle use at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking control, higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, pollution taxes etc One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies as this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really keen to do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems for the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as an interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting to buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was of course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban Transport Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre of mobility planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged and public transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of sabotage. -- Sujit Patwardhan Parisar Pune On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan wrote: > > http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf > > > The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US > agency > and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. > Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies > suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). > I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the > absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of > accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can > reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." > The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to check. > > In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the > Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these > recommendations have been adopted? > > Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths > because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all > traffic problems. > > We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term > strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted > metro > in the country. > > Kanthi Kannan > > The Right to Walk Foundation > > www.right2walk.com > > > > -------------------------------------------------------- > IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via > YAHOOGROUPS. > > Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to > join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The > yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to the > real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you > can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. > > ================================================================ > SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, > equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries > (the 'Global South'). > -- ------------------------------------------------------ Sujit Patwardhan sujitjp@gmail.com "Yamuna", ICS Colony, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune 411 007 India Tel: +91 20 25537955 Cell: +91 98220 26627 ----------------------------------------------------- Hon. Secretary: Parisar www.parisar.org ------------------------------------------------------ Founder Member: PTTF (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) www.pttf.net ------------------------------------------------------ From sudhir at cai-asia.org Thu Aug 21 13:43:37 2008 From: sudhir at cai-asia.org (Sudhir) Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:43:37 +0800 Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read In-Reply-To: <4cfd20aa0808202118l4214d496j9b479766d5604328@mail.gmail.com> References: <0D171F890BA44BE981D03432C2AC1086@DFJLYL81> <48accddb.06876e0a.0946.4df7@mx.google.com> <4cfd20aa0808202118l4214d496j9b479766d5604328@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Dear all, Any argument which brings better pedestrian infrastructure is fine with me. :-) (capacity, congestion .. if it gets the results). 1-2 decades back it was small isolated flyovers and now its elevated roads and in future...... (I would dream of best pedestrian and cycle infrastructure integrated with eco-friendly mass transport systems implemented in cities :-))... Cheers Sudhir On 21/08/2008, Sujit Patwardhan wrote: > * > in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail* > > I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long term > ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- > > -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public Transport > -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the same > as Skywalks) > -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These need > not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested areas > sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided traffic > calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib in > Paris after thorough planning > -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle use > at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking control, > higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, > pollution taxes etc > > One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies as > this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really keen to > do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be > pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems for > the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan for > Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as an > interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting to > buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were > "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was of > course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! > > Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban > Transport Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre of > mobility planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged and > public transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). > > It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of > sabotage. > > -- > Sujit Patwardhan > Parisar > Pune > > > > > > On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan wrote: > >> >> http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf >> >> >> The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US >> agency >> and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. >> Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies >> suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). >> I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the >> absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of >> accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can >> reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." >> The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to check. >> >> In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the >> Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these >> recommendations have been adopted? >> >> Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths >> because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all >> traffic problems. >> >> We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term >> strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted >> metro >> in the country. >> >> Kanthi Kannan >> >> The Right to Walk Foundation >> >> www.right2walk.com >> >> >> >> -------------------------------------------------------- >> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >> YAHOOGROUPS. >> >> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to >> join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The >> yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to the >> real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you >> can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >> >> ================================================================ >> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries >> (the 'Global South'). >> > > > > -- > ------------------------------------------------------ > Sujit Patwardhan > sujitjp@gmail.com > > "Yamuna", > ICS Colony, > Ganeshkhind Road, > Pune 411 007 > India > Tel: +91 20 25537955 > Cell: +91 98220 26627 > ----------------------------------------------------- > Hon. Secretary: > Parisar > www.parisar.org > ------------------------------------------------------ > Founder Member: > PTTF > (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) > www.pttf.net > ------------------------------------------------------ > > -- Sudhir Gota Transport Specialist CAI-Asia Center Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City Metro Manila, Philippines 1605 Tel: +63-2-395-2843 Fax: +63-2-395-2846 http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia Skype : sudhirgota From sujitjp at gmail.com Thu Aug 21 13:18:07 2008 From: sujitjp at gmail.com (Sujit Patwardhan) Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:48:07 +0530 Subject: [sustran] [NewMobilityCafe] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read In-Reply-To: <48accddb.06876e0a.0946.4df7@mx.google.com> References: <0D171F890BA44BE981D03432C2AC1086@DFJLYL81> <48accddb.06876e0a.0946.4df7@mx.google.com> Message-ID: <4cfd20aa0808202118l4214d496j9b479766d5604328@mail.gmail.com> * in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail* I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long term ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public Transport -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the same as Skywalks) -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These need not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested areas sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided traffic calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib in Paris after thorough planning -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle use at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking control, higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, pollution taxes etc One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies as this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really keen to do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems for the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as an interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting to buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was of course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban Transport Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre of mobility planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged and public transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of sabotage. -- Sujit Patwardhan Parisar Pune On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan wrote: > > http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf > > > The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US > agency > and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. > Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies > suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). > I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the > absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of > accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can > reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." > The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to check. > > In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the > Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these > recommendations have been adopted? > > Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths > because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all > traffic problems. > > We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term > strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted > metro > in the country. > > Kanthi Kannan > > The Right to Walk Foundation > > www.right2walk.com > > > > -------------------------------------------------------- > IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via > YAHOOGROUPS. > > Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to > join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The > yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to the > real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you > can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. > > ================================================================ > SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, > equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries > (the 'Global South'). > -- ------------------------------------------------------ Sujit Patwardhan sujitjp@gmail.com "Yamuna", ICS Colony, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune 411 007 India Tel: +91 20 25537955 Cell: +91 98220 26627 ----------------------------------------------------- Hon. Secretary: Parisar www.parisar.org ------------------------------------------------------ Founder Member: PTTF (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) www.pttf.net ------------------------------------------------------ From kanthikannan at gmail.com Thu Aug 21 14:40:38 2008 From: kanthikannan at gmail.com (Kanthi Kannan) Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:10:38 +0530 Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <48acffe3.0e0d6e0a.7347.ffff89de@mx.google.com> Dear all When I mentioned in my earlier mail that we need to look at both short term and long term measures, I think that I was not very clear with my statement. What I meant was that have goals that are achievable in the short term. 1. Like getting pedestrian crossings done at a few selected locations. 2. Get a few footpaths cleared for use if not completely at least give enough access space. When we are talking about short term, the time frame is about 4 to 6 months. In our campaign unless, we are able to show some concrete progress people will not be willing to join our campaign. That is the reason for our concrete doables. We would ideally like to achieve all this and more as soon as possible. What Sri. Sujit ji has mentioned comes in our long term measures and hence goals. I agree that we need to look at the whole picture and not just at smaller parts and let the authorities not really put any thing into action. The major issues in Hyd are 1. Parking by Corporates: This is a Major issue in Hyd since even the larger Retail Outlets ( Reliance Fresh, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Reliance Communications, Vodaphone, MORE to name a few) do not have any parking place for customers and the vehicles are parked on the footpaths. We are shocked because these corporates talk so much about Social Responsibility and yet seem to be neglecting the basic pedestrian safety issue. 2. Lack of manned Pedestrian Crossings: There are many zebra lines drawn at various locations on each road but there is very little probability of any vehicle stopping at these places because of various reasons. Chief among them is the lack of implementation of the rule. 3. Height of Road dividers: The road dividers are pretty easy to cross and hence people jump over them and then run across the road. We are trying to get the authorities to make the road dividers higher so that people cannot cross the road where ever they want. Of course like all other Indian Cities, we have our quota of temples and mosques etc that take away our walking space and make us easy targets of the motorised drivers. Regards Kanthi The Right to Walk Foundation www.right2walk.com _____ From: Sudhir [mailto:sudhir@cai-asia.org] Sent: 21 August 2008 10:14 To: Sujit Patwardhan Cc: Kanthi Kannan; Walter Hook; Global 'South' Sustainable Transport; NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read Dear all, Any argument which brings better pedestrian infrastructure is fine with me. :-) (capacity, congestion .. if it gets the results). 1-2 decades back it was small isolated flyovers and now its elevated roads and in future...... (I would dream of best pedestrian and cycle infrastructure integrated with eco-friendly mass transport systems implemented in cities :-))... Cheers Sudhir On 21/08/2008, Sujit Patwardhan wrote: in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long term ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public Transport -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the same as Skywalks) -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These need not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested areas sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided traffic calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib in Paris after thorough planning -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle use at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking control, higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, pollution taxes etc One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies as this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really keen to do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems for the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as an interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting to buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was of course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban Transport Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre of mobility planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged and public transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of sabotage. -- Sujit Patwardhan Parisar Pune On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan wrote: http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US agency and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to check. In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these recommendations have been adopted? Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all traffic problems. We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted metro in the country. Kanthi Kannan The Right to Walk Foundation www.right2walk.com -------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via YAHOOGROUPS. Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to the real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. ================================================================ SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries (the 'Global South'). -- ------------------------------------------------------ Sujit Patwardhan sujitjp@gmail.com "Yamuna", ICS Colony, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune 411 007 India Tel: +91 20 25537955 Cell: +91 98220 26627 ----------------------------------------------------- Hon. Secretary: Parisar www.parisar.org ------------------------------------------------------ Founder Member: PTTF (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) www.pttf.net ------------------------------------------------------ -- Sudhir Gota Transport Specialist CAI-Asia Center Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City Metro Manila, Philippines 1605 Tel: +63-2-395-2843 Fax: +63-2-395-2846 http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia Skype : sudhirgota From carlosfpardo at gmail.com Thu Aug 21 19:17:51 2008 From: carlosfpardo at gmail.com (Carlosfelipe Pardo) Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:17:51 -0500 Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read In-Reply-To: References: <0D171F890BA44BE981D03432C2AC1086@DFJLYL81> <48accddb.06876e0a.0946.4df7@mx.google.com> <4cfd20aa0808202118l4214d496j9b479766d5604328@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <48AD40CF.7050803@gmail.com> Hi, In reading Kanthi's email, it seems that the important issue were to reduce congestion and emissions by increasing vehicle speeds... (!) From my point of view, it's better to actually concentrate on reducing demand, and in that way you won't need to segregate or to spend money on infrastructure, plus you won't have to force pedestrians to walk even more than they have to (detour factors for pedestrians in developing cities are much higher than for any other mode). For instance, take 20 car drivers and put them in one bus: you'll have freed up road space, increased speeds and reduced pollution (per person, which is the important individual). Plus you can still stop and wait for pedestrians to cross without the need of a bridge. AND you will have spent less money! My point is that thinking of speed and throughput as a solution to congestion (and emissions) will not solve the problem, but rather worsen it in the long run (induced travel generates more traffic, thus more pollution, even at higher speeds). Thinking of speed per individual vehicle is always a problem (as is thinking about vehicles). But the point from Sudhir regarding a possibly "evolution" towards improvement (first flyovers, then pedestrian bridges, and in future even better) is well taken. Above may be the vision of what we want, and reality may take some time to adjust... but let's please always propose the vision, and then adjust it to reality! These issues are better explained in some publications of GTZ SUTP: NMT training document, Economic Instruments, Mobility Management. All are available from www.sutp.org . Best regards, Carlosfelipe Pardo Coordinador de Proyecto- Project Coordinator GTZ - Proyecto de Transporte Sostenible (SUTP, SUTP-LAC) Cl 93A # 14-17 of 708 Bogot? D.C., Colombia Tel/fax: +57 (1) 236 2309 Mobile: +57 (3)15 296 0662 carlos.pardo@gtz.de www.gtz.de (carlos.pardo@sutp.org www.sutp.org ) Sudhir wrote: > Dear all, > > > > Any argument which brings better pedestrian infrastructure is fine with > me. :-) (capacity, congestion .. if it gets the results). > > > > 1-2 decades back it was small isolated flyovers and now its elevated > roads and in future...... > > > > (I would dream of best pedestrian and cycle infrastructure integrated with > eco-friendly mass transport systems implemented in cities :-))... > > > > Cheers > > Sudhir > > > > > On 21/08/2008, Sujit Patwardhan wrote: > > >> * >> in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail* >> >> I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long term >> ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- >> >> -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public Transport >> -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the same >> as Skywalks) >> -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These need >> not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested areas >> sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided traffic >> calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib in >> Paris after thorough planning >> -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle use >> at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking control, >> higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, >> pollution taxes etc >> >> One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies as >> this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really keen to >> do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be >> pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems for >> the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan for >> Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as an >> interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting to >> buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were >> "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was of >> course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! >> >> Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban >> Transport Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre of >> mobility planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged and >> public transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). >> >> It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of >> sabotage. >> >> -- >> Sujit Patwardhan >> Parisar >> Pune >> >> >> >> >> >> On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan wrote: >> >> >>> http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf >>> >>> >>> The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US >>> agency >>> and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. >>> Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies >>> suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). >>> I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the >>> absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of >>> accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can >>> reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." >>> The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to check. >>> >>> In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the >>> Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these >>> recommendations have been adopted? >>> >>> Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths >>> because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all >>> traffic problems. >>> >>> We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term >>> strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted >>> metro >>> in the country. >>> >>> Kanthi Kannan >>> >>> The Right to Walk Foundation >>> >>> www.right2walk.com >>> >>> >>> >>> -------------------------------------------------------- >>> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >>> YAHOOGROUPS. >>> >>> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to >>> join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The >>> yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to the >>> real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you >>> can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >>> >>> ================================================================ >>> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >>> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries >>> (the 'Global South'). >>> >>> >> >> -- >> ------------------------------------------------------ >> Sujit Patwardhan >> sujitjp@gmail.com >> >> "Yamuna", >> ICS Colony, >> Ganeshkhind Road, >> Pune 411 007 >> India >> Tel: +91 20 25537955 >> Cell: +91 98220 26627 >> ----------------------------------------------------- >> Hon. Secretary: >> Parisar >> www.parisar.org >> ------------------------------------------------------ >> Founder Member: >> PTTF >> (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) >> www.pttf.net >> ------------------------------------------------------ >> >> >> > > > > From sudhir at cai-asia.org Fri Aug 22 18:51:39 2008 From: sudhir at cai-asia.org (Sudhir) Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:51:39 +0800 Subject: [sustran] Sustainable Urban Mobility in Asia (SUMA) News Digest -Vol. 5 Issue 13 Message-ID: Sustainable Urban Mobility in Asia (SUMA) News Digest Vol. 5 Issue 13 22 August 2008 SUMA News Digest is a free weekly e-mail publication that features news, information, and events related to sustainable urban transportation in Asia. *** VISIT THE SUMA PAGES: http://www.cleanairnet.org/suma *** SUMA PARTNERS ON THE MOVE! ADB: Asia on the Move: Energy Efficient and Inclusive Transport The Forum is organized by ADB and co-sponsored by the global Transport Knowledge Partnership. The Resource Speakers would be renowned experts from governments, financial institutions, civil society, academia, and international organizations. Visit the link to know more about the workshop http://www.adb.org/Documents/Events/2008/ADB-Transport-Forum-2008/ *NEWSREPORTS * *China: Work begins at Tianjin's eco-city* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72965.html *China: Beijing's pedal power revolution restores lost kingdom* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72947.html *India: Hyderabad to Get 71-Km Metro 'Free Of Cost'*** http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72981.html *India: Ahmedabad BRTS (3)* *Public to be educated about BRTS three months before launch* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72969.html *Ahmedabad to have elevated BRTS road* http://www.gujaratglobal.com/nextSub.php?id=4316&catype=NEWS *AMC raises floor height of buses on BRT route* http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/AMC-raises-floor-height-of-buses-on-BRT-route/348671/ *Malaysia: Malaysian Public Transport: Long Journey "Home"* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72968.html *Philippines: Manila's public transport system shows the strain as prices soar* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72966.html *Philippines: Commuters give up cars, jostle for ride* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72961.html *Bangladesh: Study Says Air pollution Major Cause Of Mortality, Morbidity In Bangladesh* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72963.html *Srilanka: Transport links key to SAARC prosperity* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72938.html *Global : Megacities look at public transport traffic jams increase* http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/226851,megacities-look-at-public-transport-traffic-jams-increase.html * * * * *INTERESTING FINDS/SEMINARS * *Effects of Rising Gas Prices on Bus Ridership for Small Urban and Rural Transit Systems: Jeremy Mattson* Newsreports from past several months indicate high increase in public transport ridership due to increase in fuel prices. This study estimates the effects of gasoline prices on bus ridership by employing a variety of models. Since the price of gasoline can have a delayed effect on the demand for transit, a dynamic polynomial distributed lag model is utilized which measures short-run and longer-run effects. The model is applied to individual transit systems as well as aggregate data for cities grouped by size. Access this document at http://www.ugpti.org/pubs/pdf/DP201.pdf * **2008 Bus Rapid Transit-Vehicle Demand & Systems Analysis Update: Federal Transit Administration* * * This latest document from Federal Transit Administration reflects the current state of affairs of BRTS- Heavy Systems in US. It is the third is a series of market demand analyses and as such, charts the trends in this evolving market. Via phone interviews and electronic surveys of transit planners, and also via published reports from the transit properties and industry publications, the report compiles data about the quantities of vehicles, delivery timing, and vehicle preferences such as vehicle type, length, propulsion, image, and appearance, as well as supporting technologies such as signal priority. Access this document at http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/2008_BRT_VDSA_Final.pdf *Integrating Climate Change into the Transportation Planning Process: Federal Highway Administration* With ever increasing emissions and its adverse impact on Climate, Federal Highway Administration has developed a paper on including Climate Change in the Transportation Planning Process. The objective of this study is to advance the practice and application of transportation planning among state, regional, and local transportation planning agencies to successfully meet growing concerns about the relationship between transportation and climate change. This report explores the possibilities for integrating climate change considerations into long range transportation planning at state DOTs and MPOs. http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/climatechange/climatechange.pdf *Shreekant Gupta*- Associate* *Professor from* *Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy -National University of Singapore, delivered a presentation on National Urban Transport Policy: A Re-orientation in Urban Transport Thinking in India at ADB Environment CoP Green Bag Seminar. The Presentation is accessible at http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72956.html *FOOD FOR THOUGHT* ? *A World Bank study states that nearly 80% of fuel subsidies go to the Top Earning Category of people.* Source: * siteresources.worldbank.org/INTISPMA/Resources/Training-Events-and-Materials/Day3_Session5_DCoady.ppt * ? *Transportation is a large and growing user of petroleum in India, already accounting for 46 percent of all oil consumed in the country.* ** *Source: Transportation in Developing Countries: Greenhouse Gas Scenarios for Delhi, India- Ranjan Bose& Daniel Sperling* ? *The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) is offering free rides on 800 ordinary buses plying 73 routes.* Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/010808_News/01Aug2008_news08.php ? *Malaysia pioneered a "daytime running headlights" campaign in 1992 which reduced conspicuity related motorcycle accidents by almost 30 per cent. As of May 2006, "always-on" motorcycle front-lights were mandatory in a number of ESCAP member countries, including Armenia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand and the Republic of Korea. In Brunei Darussalam, it is practiced but not mandatory* ** Source : http://www.unescap.org/ttdw/roadsafety/files/MCT_SGO_9E.pdf *CALL FOR RESEARCH PAPERS* We in CAI-Asia are looking for good analytical/research papers on Sustainable Transport and Air Pollution. If you would like your paper to be linked/ published in the CAI website, please let us know? * * * * *MARK YOUR CALENDARS* ADB: Asia on the Move: Energy Efficient and Inclusive Transport, September-9-12/2008 http://www.adb.org/Documents/Events/2008/ADB-Transport-Forum-2008/ "BRT Systems in India and Abroad" from 24 to 26 September, 2008 at Visakhapatnam, India. http://www.gvpcoeedu.org/brts.html Fourteenth International Conference on Urban Transport and the Environment in the 21st Century, 1 - 3 September 2008, Malta, http://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2008/urban08/ PODCAR City Sustainable Transport Conference, 14-16 September 2008, Ithaca, New York, http://www.podcar.org/ithacaconference/ UITP 2nd Sustainable Development Conference Making tomorrow today 22-24 October 2008, Milan, Italy http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72425.html Better Air Quality (BAQ) Workshop 2008 12-14 November 2008 Bangkok, Thailand http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72312.html See more SUT events http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/propertyvalue-27089.html See CAI-Asia's events calendar http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/propertyvalue-13577.html ** * * CONTRIBUTE * * ** To contribute articles, news items, or event announcements for the next issue, send an email with the complete details and URL source to suma-news-owner@googlegroups.com with subject "FOR SUMA NEWS". mailto: suma-news-owner@googlegroups.com?subject=FOR_SUMA_NEWS< suma-news-owner@googlegroups.com?subject=FOR_SUMA_NEWS>. Past issues from March and April 2008 are found at http://groups.google.com/group/suma-news ** * * ABOUT SUMA * * ** The Sustainable Urban Mobility in Asia (SUMA) program of the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities ( www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia), Asian Development Bank ( www.adb.org), EMBARQ-the World Resources Institute Center for Sustainable Transport ( http://embarq.wri.org ), GTZ Sustainable Urban Transport Project ( www.sutp.org), Interface for Cycling Expertise ( www.cycling.nl), Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (www.itdp.org), and United Nations Center for Regional Development (www.uncrd.or.jp/est) is made possible through the generous support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency ( www.sida.se). SUMA works with Asian countries and cities to strengthen then formulation and implementation of sustainable urban transportation policies, specifically in (i) Improving urban air quality by adopting AQM planning in sustainable transport policies and promoting public transportation, (ii) Improving road safety by encouraging non-motorized transport and public transport, and (iii) Reducing transport's contribution to climate change by adopting a co-benefits approach with urban air quality management. -- Sudhir Gota Transport Specialist CAI-Asia Center Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City Metro Manila, Philippines 1605 Tel: +63-2-395-2843 Fax: +63-2-395-2846 http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia Skype : sudhirgota From adhiraj.joglekar at googlemail.com Fri Aug 22 14:32:06 2008 From: adhiraj.joglekar at googlemail.com (Dr Adhiraj Joglekar) Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:32:06 +0100 Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to walk Message-ID: I have followed this thread with interest. Somehow I think we are listening to what fits our interest more. The theme has moved away from pedestrians to public transport. Fact is that with or without PT, pedestrian facilities are a must. Right now they are missing in the very cities that talk about BRT and Metros. Its hard to find 500 meters of footpaths free of obstructions and made to std specifics of IRC that recommends 1.5m wide footpaths on both sides as a minimum. When Kanthi refers to speed, its because these are reduced due unsystematic mix of peds with vehicles. The dividers are also put up in illogical manner, more to stop vehicles from plying on wrong side (when 2 solid painted lines will suffice in Western nations). They are so long that peds are forced to breach them as they seem to do what the Berlin wall did. There are no pedetrian refuge's to be seen anywhere. The zebra is not respected due to ignorance as well as lack of implementing rules. How many road users in India are aware the Zebra belongs to pedestrians? Hardly, as they would otherwise have reclaimed it, instead they feel obliged if they manage to cross safely. Sujit has a valid point, we need one city wide vision and an operational plan for getting pedestrian facilities. Kanthi has clarified this is what she meant by short and long term. I fail to understand the push for grand PT initiatives when the fundamentals are completely missing? Adhiraj On 8/22/08, sustran-discuss-request@list.jca.apc.org wrote: > Send Sustran-discuss mailing list submissions to > sustran-discuss@list.jca.apc.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > sustran-discuss-request@list.jca.apc.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > sustran-discuss-owner@list.jca.apc.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than > "Re: Contents of Sustran-discuss digest..." > > > ######################################################################## > Sustran-discuss Mailing List Digest > > IMPORTANT NOTE: When replying please do not include the whole digest in your > reply - just include the relevant part of the specific message that you are > responding to. Many thanks. > > About this mailing list see: > http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss > ######################################################################## > > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read (Sunny) > 2. Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read > (Sujit Patwardhan) > 3. Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read (Sudhir) > 4. [NewMobilityCafe] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: > Interesting read (Sujit Patwardhan) > 5. Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read > (Kanthi Kannan) > 6. Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read > (Carlosfelipe Pardo) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:26:22 +0700 > From: Sunny > Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting > read > To: kanthikannan@gmail.com > Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, sustran-discuss@list.jca.apc.org > Message-ID: > <255cf00808202026k719fd933kb12b242d9d3ff1f1@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252 > > Dear Kanthi, > > Thanks a lot for the reference. > > I am doubtful on how having pedestrian crossings will increase traffic > speeds, unless such crossing mean building over-bridges - which take space > from the foot-paths and worsen the pain of pedestrians to cross a road. The > argument is simple "Why should a pedestrian climb up and down a (long) > bridge, just for a car to go fast?" > > Since you belong to the Right to Walk foundation, it would be great if you > can lobby for the pedestrians and cyclists and against the FOB it would be a > great step. > > Mixing traffic might not be a bad idea unless done in a very fashionable > way, see the concept of shared space for more info. There are cases of > reduced accidents and better driver behaviour in areas with shared space. > > Also in terms of pollution, the FOB's use cement and need extra lighting > (electricity) which are good contributors for pollution and so are widened > roads > > It will be very useful for the group (and esp. for myself) if you can > elaborate on the short term and long term measures that you were talking of > in Hyderabad. > > thanks again for the mail and best of luck! > cheers > sunny > > Kanthi Kannan wrote: > > http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf > > > The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US agency > and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. > Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies > suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). > I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the > absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of > accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can > reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." > The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to check. > > In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the > Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these > recommendations have been adopted? > > Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths > because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all > traffic problems. > > We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term > strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted metro > in the country. > > Kanthi Kannan > > The Right to Walk Foundation > www.right2walk.com > > > > -------------------------------------------------------- > IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via > YAHOOGROUPS. > > Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss > to join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The > yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post > to the real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it > seem like you can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. > > ================================================================ > SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, > equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing > countries (the 'Global South'). > > > > -- > > *Santhosh (Sunny) Kodukula* > > Urban Transport Expert > GTZ ? Sustainable Urban Transport Project (SUTP) > 0942, Transport and Tourism Division, > UNITED NATIONS, ESCAP Building, > Rajadamnern Nok Ave., > Bangkok 10200, THAILAND > > Ph: +66 (0)2 288 1321 > Fax: +66 (0)2 280 6042 > Mob:+66 (0)84 113 0181 > Email: santhosh.kodukula [at] sutp.org > Skype: sunny_nwho > Web: http://www.sutp.org > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:48:07 +0530 > From: "Sujit Patwardhan" > Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting > read > To: "Kanthi Kannan" > Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, Global 'South' Sustainable > Transport > Message-ID: > <4cfd20aa0808202118l4214d496j9b479766d5604328@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > * > in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail* > > I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long term > ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- > > -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public Transport > -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the same > as Skywalks) > -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These need > not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested areas > sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided traffic > calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib in > Paris after thorough planning > -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle use > at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking control, > higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, > pollution taxes etc > > One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies as > this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really keen to > do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be > pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems for > the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan for > Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as an > interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting to > buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were > "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was of > course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! > > Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban Transport > Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre of mobility > planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged and public > transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). > > It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of > sabotage. > > -- > Sujit Patwardhan > Parisar > Pune > > > > > > On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan > wrote: > >> >> http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf >> >> >> The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US >> agency >> and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. >> Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies >> suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). >> I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the >> absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of >> accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can >> reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." >> The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to check. >> >> In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the >> Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these >> recommendations have been adopted? >> >> Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths >> because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all >> traffic problems. >> >> We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term >> strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted >> metro >> in the country. >> >> Kanthi Kannan >> >> The Right to Walk Foundation >> >> www.right2walk.com >> >> >> >> -------------------------------------------------------- >> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >> YAHOOGROUPS. >> >> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to >> join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The >> yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to >> the >> real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you >> can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >> >> ================================================================ >> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries >> (the 'Global South'). >> > > > > -- > ------------------------------------------------------ > Sujit Patwardhan > sujitjp@gmail.com > > "Yamuna", > ICS Colony, > Ganeshkhind Road, > Pune 411 007 > India > Tel: +91 20 25537955 > Cell: +91 98220 26627 > ----------------------------------------------------- > Hon. Secretary: > Parisar > www.parisar.org > ------------------------------------------------------ > Founder Member: > PTTF > (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) > www.pttf.net > ------------------------------------------------------ > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:43:37 +0800 > From: Sudhir > Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting > read > To: "Sujit Patwardhan" > Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, Global 'South' Sustainable > Transport > Message-ID: > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > Dear all, > > > > Any argument which brings better pedestrian infrastructure is fine with > me. :-) (capacity, congestion .. if it gets the results). > > > > 1-2 decades back it was small isolated flyovers and now its elevated > roads and in future...... > > > > (I would dream of best pedestrian and cycle infrastructure integrated with > eco-friendly mass transport systems implemented in cities :-))... > > > > Cheers > > Sudhir > > > > > On 21/08/2008, Sujit Patwardhan wrote: > >> * >> in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail* >> >> I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long term >> ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- >> >> -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public Transport >> -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the same >> as Skywalks) >> -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These need >> not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested >> areas >> sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided traffic >> calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib in >> Paris after thorough planning >> -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle use >> at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking >> control, >> higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, >> pollution taxes etc >> >> One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies >> as >> this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really keen >> to >> do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be >> pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems >> for >> the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan >> for >> Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as >> an >> interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting to >> buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were >> "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was of >> course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! >> >> Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban >> Transport Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre >> of >> mobility planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged >> and >> public transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). >> >> It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of >> sabotage. >> >> -- >> Sujit Patwardhan >> Parisar >> Pune >> >> >> >> >> >> On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan >> wrote: >> >>> >>> http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf >>> >>> >>> The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US >>> agency >>> and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. >>> Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies >>> suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). >>> I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the >>> absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of >>> accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can >>> reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." >>> The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to >>> check. >>> >>> In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the >>> Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these >>> recommendations have been adopted? >>> >>> Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths >>> because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all >>> traffic problems. >>> >>> We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term >>> strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted >>> metro >>> in the country. >>> >>> Kanthi Kannan >>> >>> The Right to Walk Foundation >>> >>> www.right2walk.com >>> >>> >>> >>> -------------------------------------------------------- >>> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >>> YAHOOGROUPS. >>> >>> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to >>> join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The >>> yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to >>> the >>> real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you >>> can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >>> >>> ================================================================ >>> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >>> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries >>> (the 'Global South'). >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> ------------------------------------------------------ >> Sujit Patwardhan >> sujitjp@gmail.com >> >> "Yamuna", >> ICS Colony, >> Ganeshkhind Road, >> Pune 411 007 >> India >> Tel: +91 20 25537955 >> Cell: +91 98220 26627 >> ----------------------------------------------------- >> Hon. Secretary: >> Parisar >> www.parisar.org >> ------------------------------------------------------ >> Founder Member: >> PTTF >> (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) >> www.pttf.net >> ------------------------------------------------------ >> >> > > > > -- > Sudhir Gota > Transport Specialist > CAI-Asia Center > Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower, > ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City > Metro Manila, Philippines 1605 > Tel: +63-2-395-2843 > Fax: +63-2-395-2846 > http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia > Skype : sudhirgota > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:48:07 +0530 > From: "Sujit Patwardhan" > Subject: [sustran] [NewMobilityCafe] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution > in Hyd: Interesting read > To: "Kanthi Kannan" > Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, Global 'South' Sustainable > Transport > Message-ID: > <4cfd20aa0808202118l4214d496j9b479766d5604328@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > * > in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail* > > I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long term > ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- > > -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public Transport > -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the same > as Skywalks) > -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These need > not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested areas > sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided traffic > calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib in > Paris after thorough planning > -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle use > at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking control, > higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, > pollution taxes etc > > One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies as > this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really keen to > do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be > pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems for > the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan for > Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as an > interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting to > buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were > "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was of > course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! > > Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban Transport > Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre of mobility > planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged and public > transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). > > It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of > sabotage. > > -- > Sujit Patwardhan > Parisar > Pune > > > > > > On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan > wrote: > >> >> http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf >> >> >> The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US >> agency >> and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. >> Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies >> suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). >> I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the >> absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of >> accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can >> reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." >> The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to check. >> >> In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the >> Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these >> recommendations have been adopted? >> >> Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths >> because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all >> traffic problems. >> >> We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term >> strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted >> metro >> in the country. >> >> Kanthi Kannan >> >> The Right to Walk Foundation >> >> www.right2walk.com >> >> >> >> -------------------------------------------------------- >> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >> YAHOOGROUPS. >> >> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to >> join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The >> yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to >> the >> real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you >> can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >> >> ================================================================ >> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries >> (the 'Global South'). >> > > > > -- > ------------------------------------------------------ > Sujit Patwardhan > sujitjp@gmail.com > > "Yamuna", > ICS Colony, > Ganeshkhind Road, > Pune 411 007 > India > Tel: +91 20 25537955 > Cell: +91 98220 26627 > ----------------------------------------------------- > Hon. Secretary: > Parisar > www.parisar.org > ------------------------------------------------------ > Founder Member: > PTTF > (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) > www.pttf.net > ------------------------------------------------------ > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:10:38 +0530 > From: "Kanthi Kannan" > Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting > read > To: "'Sudhir'" , "'Sujit Patwardhan'" > > Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, 'Global 'South' Sustainable > Transport' > Message-ID: <48acffe3.0e0d6e0a.7347.ffff89de@mx.google.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Dear all > > > > When I mentioned in my earlier mail that we need to look at both short term > and long term measures, I think that I was not very clear with my statement. > > > > What I meant was that have goals that are achievable in the short term. 1. > Like getting pedestrian crossings done at a few selected locations. 2. Get a > few footpaths cleared for use if not completely at least give enough access > space. When we are talking about short term, the time frame is about 4 to 6 > months. > > > > In our campaign unless, we are able to show some concrete progress people > will not be willing to join our campaign. That is the reason for our > concrete doables. We would ideally like to achieve all this and more as soon > as possible. > > > > What Sri. Sujit ji has mentioned comes in our long term measures and hence > goals. > > > > I agree that we need to look at the whole picture and not just at smaller > parts and let the authorities not really put any thing into action. > > > > The major issues in Hyd are > > > > 1. Parking by Corporates: This is a Major issue in Hyd since even the > larger Retail Outlets ( Reliance Fresh, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Reliance > Communications, Vodaphone, MORE to name a few) do not have any parking place > for customers and the vehicles are parked on the footpaths. We are shocked > because these corporates talk so much about Social Responsibility and yet > seem to be neglecting the basic pedestrian safety issue. > 2. Lack of manned Pedestrian Crossings: There are many zebra lines > drawn at various locations on each road but there is very little probability > of any vehicle stopping at these places because of various reasons. Chief > among them is the lack of implementation of the rule. > 3. Height of Road dividers: The road dividers are pretty easy to cross > and hence people jump over them and then run across the road. We are trying > to get the authorities to make the road dividers higher so that people > cannot cross the road where ever they want. > > > > Of course like all other Indian Cities, we have our quota of temples and > mosques etc that take away our walking space and make us easy targets of the > motorised drivers. > > > > Regards > > Kanthi > > > > The Right to Walk Foundation > > www.right2walk.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _____ > > From: Sudhir [mailto:sudhir@cai-asia.org] > Sent: 21 August 2008 10:14 > To: Sujit Patwardhan > Cc: Kanthi Kannan; Walter Hook; Global 'South' Sustainable Transport; > NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com > Subject: Re: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting > read > > > > > > Dear all, > > > > Any argument which brings better pedestrian infrastructure is fine with me. > :-) (capacity, congestion .. if it gets the results). > > > > 1-2 decades back it was small isolated flyovers and now its elevated roads > and in future...... > > > > (I would dream of best pedestrian and cycle infrastructure integrated with > eco-friendly mass transport systems implemented in cities :-))... > > > > Cheers > > Sudhir > > > > > > > On 21/08/2008, Sujit Patwardhan wrote: > > > in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail > > I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long term > ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- > > -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public Transport > -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the same > as Skywalks) > -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These need > not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested areas > sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided traffic > calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib in > Paris after thorough planning > -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle use > at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking control, > higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, > pollution taxes etc > > One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies as > this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really keen to > do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be > pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems for > the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan for > Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as an > interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting to > buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were > "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was of > course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! > > Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban Transport > Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre of mobility > planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged and public > transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). > > It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of > sabotage. > > -- > Sujit Patwardhan > Parisar > Pune > > > > > > > > > On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan > wrote: > > > > > http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf > > > The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US agency > and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. > Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies > suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). > I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the > absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of > accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can > reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." > The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to check. > > In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the > Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these > recommendations have been adopted? > > Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths > because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all > traffic problems. > > We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term > strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted metro > in the country. > > Kanthi Kannan > > The Right to Walk Foundation > > www.right2walk.com > > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------- > IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via > YAHOOGROUPS. > > Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to join > the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The yahoogroups > version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to the real > sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you can). > Apologies for the confusing arrangement. > > ================================================================ > SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, > equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries > (the 'Global South'). > > > > > -- > ------------------------------------------------------ > Sujit Patwardhan > sujitjp@gmail.com > > "Yamuna", > ICS Colony, > Ganeshkhind Road, > Pune 411 007 > India > Tel: +91 20 25537955 > Cell: +91 98220 26627 > ----------------------------------------------------- > Hon. Secretary: > Parisar > www.parisar.org > ------------------------------------------------------ > Founder Member: > PTTF > (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) > www.pttf.net > ------------------------------------------------------ > > > > > > -- > Sudhir Gota > Transport Specialist > CAI-Asia Center > Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower, > ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City > Metro Manila, Philippines 1605 > Tel: +63-2-395-2843 > Fax: +63-2-395-2846 > http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia > Skype : sudhirgota > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 6 > Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:17:51 -0500 > From: Carlosfelipe Pardo > Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting > read > To: Sudhir > Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, Global 'South' Sustainable > Transport > Message-ID: <48AD40CF.7050803@gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Hi, > > In reading Kanthi's email, it seems that the important issue were to > reduce congestion and emissions by increasing vehicle speeds... (!) From > my point of view, it's better to actually concentrate on reducing > demand, and in that way you won't need to segregate or to spend money on > infrastructure, plus you won't have to force pedestrians to walk even > more than they have to (detour factors for pedestrians in developing > cities are much higher than for any other mode). For instance, take 20 > car drivers and put them in one bus: you'll have freed up road space, > increased speeds and reduced pollution (per person, which is the > important individual). Plus you can still stop and wait for pedestrians > to cross without the need of a bridge. AND you will have spent less money! > > My point is that thinking of speed and throughput as a solution to > congestion (and emissions) will not solve the problem, but rather worsen > it in the long run (induced travel generates more traffic, thus more > pollution, even at higher speeds). Thinking of speed per individual > vehicle is always a problem (as is thinking about vehicles). > > But the point from Sudhir regarding a possibly "evolution" towards > improvement (first flyovers, then pedestrian bridges, and in future even > better) is well taken. Above may be the vision of what we want, and > reality may take some time to adjust... but let's please always propose > the vision, and then adjust it to reality! > > These issues are better explained in some publications of GTZ SUTP: NMT > training document, Economic Instruments, Mobility Management. All are > available from www.sutp.org . > > Best regards, > > Carlosfelipe Pardo > Coordinador de Proyecto- Project Coordinator > GTZ - Proyecto de Transporte Sostenible (SUTP, SUTP-LAC) > Cl 93A # 14-17 of 708 > Bogot? D.C., Colombia > Tel/fax: +57 (1) 236 2309 Mobile: +57 (3)15 296 0662 > carlos.pardo@gtz.de www.gtz.de > (carlos.pardo@sutp.org www.sutp.org ) > > Sudhir wrote: >> Dear all, >> >> >> >> Any argument which brings better pedestrian infrastructure is fine with >> me. :-) (capacity, congestion .. if it gets the results). >> >> >> >> 1-2 decades back it was small isolated flyovers and now its elevated >> roads and in future...... >> >> >> >> (I would dream of best pedestrian and cycle infrastructure integrated with >> eco-friendly mass transport systems implemented in cities :-))... >> >> >> >> Cheers >> >> Sudhir >> >> >> >> >> On 21/08/2008, Sujit Patwardhan wrote: >> >> >>> * >>> in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail* >>> >>> I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long term >>> ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- >>> >>> -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public Transport >>> -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the >>> same >>> as Skywalks) >>> -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These >>> need >>> not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested >>> areas >>> sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided >>> traffic >>> calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib >>> in >>> Paris after thorough planning >>> -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle >>> use >>> at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking >>> control, >>> higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, >>> pollution taxes etc >>> >>> One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies >>> as >>> this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really keen >>> to >>> do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be >>> pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems >>> for >>> the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan >>> for >>> Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as >>> an >>> interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting >>> to >>> buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were >>> "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was >>> of >>> course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! >>> >>> Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban >>> Transport Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre >>> of >>> mobility planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged >>> and >>> public transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). >>> >>> It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of >>> sabotage. >>> >>> -- >>> Sujit Patwardhan >>> Parisar >>> Pune >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan >>> wrote: >>> >>> >>>> http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf >>>> >>>> >>>> The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US >>>> agency >>>> and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. >>>> Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies >>>> suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of >>>> Footpath). >>>> I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the >>>> absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of >>>> accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can >>>> reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average >>>> speed." >>>> The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to >>>> check. >>>> >>>> In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the >>>> Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of >>>> these >>>> recommendations have been adopted? >>>> >>>> Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths >>>> because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all >>>> traffic problems. >>>> >>>> We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term >>>> strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted >>>> metro >>>> in the country. >>>> >>>> Kanthi Kannan >>>> >>>> The Right to Walk Foundation >>>> >>>> www.right2walk.com >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -------------------------------------------------------- >>>> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >>>> YAHOOGROUPS. >>>> >>>> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to >>>> join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The >>>> yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to >>>> the >>>> real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like >>>> you >>>> can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >>>> >>>> ================================================================ >>>> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >>>> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries >>>> (the 'Global South'). >>>> >>>> >>> >>> -- >>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>> Sujit Patwardhan >>> sujitjp@gmail.com >>> >>> "Yamuna", >>> ICS Colony, >>> Ganeshkhind Road, >>> Pune 411 007 >>> India >>> Tel: +91 20 25537955 >>> Cell: +91 98220 26627 >>> ----------------------------------------------------- >>> Hon. Secretary: >>> Parisar >>> www.parisar.org >>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>> Founder Member: >>> PTTF >>> (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) >>> www.pttf.net >>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> > > > ------------------------------ > > ================================================================ > SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, > equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries > (the 'Global South'). > > End of Sustran-discuss Digest, Vol 60, Issue 15 > *********************************************** > From sudhir at cai-asia.org Fri Aug 22 18:51:39 2008 From: sudhir at cai-asia.org (Sudhir) Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:51:39 +0800 Subject: [sustran] [NewMobilityCafe] Sustainable Urban Mobility in Asia (SUMA) News Digest -Vol. 5 Issue 13 Message-ID: Sustainable Urban Mobility in Asia (SUMA) News Digest Vol. 5 Issue 13 22 August 2008 SUMA News Digest is a free weekly e-mail publication that features news, information, and events related to sustainable urban transportation in Asia. *** VISIT THE SUMA PAGES: http://www.cleanairnet.org/suma *** SUMA PARTNERS ON THE MOVE! ADB: Asia on the Move: Energy Efficient and Inclusive Transport The Forum is organized by ADB and co-sponsored by the global Transport Knowledge Partnership. The Resource Speakers would be renowned experts from governments, financial institutions, civil society, academia, and international organizations. Visit the link to know more about the workshop http://www.adb.org/Documents/Events/2008/ADB-Transport-Forum-2008/ *NEWSREPORTS * *China: Work begins at Tianjin's eco-city* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72965.html *China: Beijing's pedal power revolution restores lost kingdom* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72947.html *India: Hyderabad to Get 71-Km Metro 'Free Of Cost'*** http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72981.html *India: Ahmedabad BRTS (3)* *Public to be educated about BRTS three months before launch* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72969.html *Ahmedabad to have elevated BRTS road* http://www.gujaratglobal.com/nextSub.php?id=4316&catype=NEWS *AMC raises floor height of buses on BRT route* http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/AMC-raises-floor-height-of-buses-on-BRT-route/348671/ *Malaysia: Malaysian Public Transport: Long Journey "Home"* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72968.html *Philippines: Manila's public transport system shows the strain as prices soar* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72966.html *Philippines: Commuters give up cars, jostle for ride* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72961.html *Bangladesh: Study Says Air pollution Major Cause Of Mortality, Morbidity In Bangladesh* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72963.html *Srilanka: Transport links key to SAARC prosperity* http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72938.html *Global : Megacities look at public transport traffic jams increase* http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/226851,megacities-look-at-public-transport-traffic-jams-increase.html * * * * *INTERESTING FINDS/SEMINARS * *Effects of Rising Gas Prices on Bus Ridership for Small Urban and Rural Transit Systems: Jeremy Mattson* Newsreports from past several months indicate high increase in public transport ridership due to increase in fuel prices. This study estimates the effects of gasoline prices on bus ridership by employing a variety of models. Since the price of gasoline can have a delayed effect on the demand for transit, a dynamic polynomial distributed lag model is utilized which measures short-run and longer-run effects. The model is applied to individual transit systems as well as aggregate data for cities grouped by size. Access this document at http://www.ugpti.org/pubs/pdf/DP201.pdf * **2008 Bus Rapid Transit-Vehicle Demand & Systems Analysis Update: Federal Transit Administration* * * This latest document from Federal Transit Administration reflects the current state of affairs of BRTS- Heavy Systems in US. It is the third is a series of market demand analyses and as such, charts the trends in this evolving market. Via phone interviews and electronic surveys of transit planners, and also via published reports from the transit properties and industry publications, the report compiles data about the quantities of vehicles, delivery timing, and vehicle preferences such as vehicle type, length, propulsion, image, and appearance, as well as supporting technologies such as signal priority. Access this document at http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/2008_BRT_VDSA_Final.pdf *Integrating Climate Change into the Transportation Planning Process: Federal Highway Administration* With ever increasing emissions and its adverse impact on Climate, Federal Highway Administration has developed a paper on including Climate Change in the Transportation Planning Process. The objective of this study is to advance the practice and application of transportation planning among state, regional, and local transportation planning agencies to successfully meet growing concerns about the relationship between transportation and climate change. This report explores the possibilities for integrating climate change considerations into long range transportation planning at state DOTs and MPOs. http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/climatechange/climatechange.pdf *Shreekant Gupta*- Associate* *Professor from* *Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy -National University of Singapore, delivered a presentation on National Urban Transport Policy: A Re-orientation in Urban Transport Thinking in India at ADB Environment CoP Green Bag Seminar. The Presentation is accessible at http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72956.html *FOOD FOR THOUGHT* ? *A World Bank study states that nearly 80% of fuel subsidies go to the Top Earning Category of people.* Source: * siteresources.worldbank.org/INTISPMA/Resources/Training-Events-and-Materials/Day3_Session5_DCoady.ppt * ? *Transportation is a large and growing user of petroleum in India, already accounting for 46 percent of all oil consumed in the country.* ** *Source: Transportation in Developing Countries: Greenhouse Gas Scenarios for Delhi, India- Ranjan Bose& Daniel Sperling* ? *The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) is offering free rides on 800 ordinary buses plying 73 routes.* Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/010808_News/01Aug2008_news08.php ? *Malaysia pioneered a "daytime running headlights" campaign in 1992 which reduced conspicuity related motorcycle accidents by almost 30 per cent. As of May 2006, "always-on" motorcycle front-lights were mandatory in a number of ESCAP member countries, including Armenia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand and the Republic of Korea. In Brunei Darussalam, it is practiced but not mandatory* ** Source : http://www.unescap.org/ttdw/roadsafety/files/MCT_SGO_9E.pdf *CALL FOR RESEARCH PAPERS* We in CAI-Asia are looking for good analytical/research papers on Sustainable Transport and Air Pollution. If you would like your paper to be linked/ published in the CAI website, please let us know? * * * * *MARK YOUR CALENDARS* ADB: Asia on the Move: Energy Efficient and Inclusive Transport, September-9-12/2008 http://www.adb.org/Documents/Events/2008/ADB-Transport-Forum-2008/ "BRT Systems in India and Abroad" from 24 to 26 September, 2008 at Visakhapatnam, India. http://www.gvpcoeedu.org/brts.html Fourteenth International Conference on Urban Transport and the Environment in the 21st Century, 1 - 3 September 2008, Malta, http://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2008/urban08/ PODCAR City Sustainable Transport Conference, 14-16 September 2008, Ithaca, New York, http://www.podcar.org/ithacaconference/ UITP 2nd Sustainable Development Conference Making tomorrow today 22-24 October 2008, Milan, Italy http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72425.html Better Air Quality (BAQ) Workshop 2008 12-14 November 2008 Bangkok, Thailand http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72312.html See more SUT events http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/propertyvalue-27089.html See CAI-Asia's events calendar http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/propertyvalue-13577.html ** * * CONTRIBUTE * * ** To contribute articles, news items, or event announcements for the next issue, send an email with the complete details and URL source to suma-news-owner@googlegroups.com with subject "FOR SUMA NEWS". mailto: suma-news-owner@googlegroups.com?subject=FOR_SUMA_NEWS< suma-news-owner@googlegroups.com?subject=FOR_SUMA_NEWS>. Past issues from March and April 2008 are found at http://groups.google.com/group/suma-news ** * * ABOUT SUMA * * ** The Sustainable Urban Mobility in Asia (SUMA) program of the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities ( www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia), Asian Development Bank ( www.adb.org), EMBARQ-the World Resources Institute Center for Sustainable Transport ( http://embarq.wri.org ), GTZ Sustainable Urban Transport Project ( www.sutp.org), Interface for Cycling Expertise ( www.cycling.nl), Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (www.itdp.org), and United Nations Center for Regional Development (www.uncrd.or.jp/est) is made possible through the generous support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency ( www.sida.se). SUMA works with Asian countries and cities to strengthen then formulation and implementation of sustainable urban transportation policies, specifically in (i) Improving urban air quality by adopting AQM planning in sustainable transport policies and promoting public transportation, (ii) Improving road safety by encouraging non-motorized transport and public transport, and (iii) Reducing transport's contribution to climate change by adopting a co-benefits approach with urban air quality management. -- Sudhir Gota Transport Specialist CAI-Asia Center Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City Metro Manila, Philippines 1605 Tel: +63-2-395-2843 Fax: +63-2-395-2846 http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia Skype : sudhirgota From carlosfpardo at gmail.com Sat Aug 23 00:26:20 2008 From: carlosfpardo at gmail.com (Carlosfelipe Pardo) Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:26:20 -0500 Subject: [sustran] Re: The right to walk and mayors' toys In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <48AEDA9C.1010008@gmail.com> Dr Adhiraj, Regarding your last question (why "the push for grand PT initiatives when the fundamentals are completely missing?"), I would say that this is because many mayors need a big toy to show everyone else as "their contribution to the city". A mayor who builds a metro or at least leaves a big hole for the metro to be built will be seen as a "good mayor" (since building it will take longer than their mandate, at least 95% of the times). On the other hand, if they change a full set of policies or develop a citywide vision that shall be implemented in the future, or reorganize institutions in order to provide a better service in future for cities, many will say that they did nothing, and they will not be eligible to run for president or be reelected... which seems to be their real interest. The quest for power as an end in itself will never fix a city, and will most probably damage it. Power as a means to various ends is what seems to be lacking in policymakers. The most interesting part of it is that those who really see power as a means and succeed in implementing that vision are most probably reelected in future! (for this I can't provide figures, but I'm almost sure this is the case). The followup question would then be "what can we do?" Build better institutions? Improve citizens' ability to demand changes in policies? Train mayors?? Educate the population with the money that is being spent in fuel subsidies??? Ideas and experiences are most welcome. Best regards, Carlos. Dr Adhiraj Joglekar wrote: > I have followed this thread with interest. Somehow I think we are > listening to what fits our interest more. The theme has moved away > from pedestrians to public transport. Fact is that with or without PT, > pedestrian facilities are a must. Right now they are missing in the > very cities that talk about BRT and Metros. Its hard to find 500 > meters of footpaths free of obstructions and made to std specifics of > IRC that recommends 1.5m wide footpaths on both sides as a minimum. > When Kanthi refers to speed, its because these are reduced due > unsystematic mix of peds with vehicles. The dividers are also put up > in illogical manner, more to stop vehicles from plying on wrong side > (when 2 solid painted lines will suffice in Western nations). They are > so long that peds are forced to breach them as they seem to do what > the Berlin wall did. There are no pedetrian refuge's to be seen > anywhere. The zebra is not respected due to ignorance as well as lack > of implementing rules. How many road users in India are aware the > Zebra belongs to pedestrians? Hardly, as they would otherwise have > reclaimed it, instead they feel obliged if they manage to cross > safely. Sujit has a valid point, we need one city wide vision and an > operational plan for getting pedestrian facilities. Kanthi has > clarified this is what she meant by short and long term. I fail to > understand the push for grand PT initiatives when the fundamentals are > completely missing? > Adhiraj > > On 8/22/08, sustran-discuss-request@list.jca.apc.org > wrote: > >> Send Sustran-discuss mailing list submissions to >> sustran-discuss@list.jca.apc.org >> >> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit >> http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss >> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to >> sustran-discuss-request@list.jca.apc.org >> >> You can reach the person managing the list at >> sustran-discuss-owner@list.jca.apc.org >> >> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than >> "Re: Contents of Sustran-discuss digest..." >> >> >> ######################################################################## >> Sustran-discuss Mailing List Digest >> >> IMPORTANT NOTE: When replying please do not include the whole digest in your >> reply - just include the relevant part of the specific message that you are >> responding to. Many thanks. >> >> About this mailing list see: >> http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss >> ######################################################################## >> >> >> >> Today's Topics: >> >> 1. Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read (Sunny) >> 2. Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read >> (Sujit Patwardhan) >> 3. Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read (Sudhir) >> 4. [NewMobilityCafe] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: >> Interesting read (Sujit Patwardhan) >> 5. Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read >> (Kanthi Kannan) >> 6. Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read >> (Carlosfelipe Pardo) >> >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> Message: 1 >> Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:26:22 +0700 >> From: Sunny >> Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting >> read >> To: kanthikannan@gmail.com >> Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, sustran-discuss@list.jca.apc.org >> Message-ID: >> <255cf00808202026k719fd933kb12b242d9d3ff1f1@mail.gmail.com> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252 >> >> Dear Kanthi, >> >> Thanks a lot for the reference. >> >> I am doubtful on how having pedestrian crossings will increase traffic >> speeds, unless such crossing mean building over-bridges - which take space >> from the foot-paths and worsen the pain of pedestrians to cross a road. The >> argument is simple "Why should a pedestrian climb up and down a (long) >> bridge, just for a car to go fast?" >> >> Since you belong to the Right to Walk foundation, it would be great if you >> can lobby for the pedestrians and cyclists and against the FOB it would be a >> great step. >> >> Mixing traffic might not be a bad idea unless done in a very fashionable >> way, see the concept of shared space for more info. There are cases of >> reduced accidents and better driver behaviour in areas with shared space. >> >> Also in terms of pollution, the FOB's use cement and need extra lighting >> (electricity) which are good contributors for pollution and so are widened >> roads >> >> It will be very useful for the group (and esp. for myself) if you can >> elaborate on the short term and long term measures that you were talking of >> in Hyderabad. >> >> thanks again for the mail and best of luck! >> cheers >> sunny >> >> Kanthi Kannan wrote: >> >> http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf >> >> >> The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US agency >> and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. >> Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies >> suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). >> I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the >> absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of >> accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can >> reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." >> The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to check. >> >> In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the >> Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these >> recommendations have been adopted? >> >> Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths >> because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all >> traffic problems. >> >> We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term >> strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted metro >> in the country. >> >> Kanthi Kannan >> >> The Right to Walk Foundation >> www.right2walk.com >> >> >> >> -------------------------------------------------------- >> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >> YAHOOGROUPS. >> >> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss >> to join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The >> yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post >> to the real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it >> seem like you can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >> >> ================================================================ >> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing >> countries (the 'Global South'). >> >> >> >> -- >> >> *Santhosh (Sunny) Kodukula* >> >> Urban Transport Expert >> GTZ ? Sustainable Urban Transport Project (SUTP) >> 0942, Transport and Tourism Division, >> UNITED NATIONS, ESCAP Building, >> Rajadamnern Nok Ave., >> Bangkok 10200, THAILAND >> >> Ph: +66 (0)2 288 1321 >> Fax: +66 (0)2 280 6042 >> Mob:+66 (0)84 113 0181 >> Email: santhosh.kodukula [at] sutp.org >> Skype: sunny_nwho >> Web: http://www.sutp.org >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> Message: 2 >> Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:48:07 +0530 >> From: "Sujit Patwardhan" >> Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting >> read >> To: "Kanthi Kannan" >> Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, Global 'South' Sustainable >> Transport >> Message-ID: >> <4cfd20aa0808202118l4214d496j9b479766d5604328@mail.gmail.com> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 >> >> * >> in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail* >> >> I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long term >> ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- >> >> -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public Transport >> -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the same >> as Skywalks) >> -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These need >> not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested areas >> sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided traffic >> calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib in >> Paris after thorough planning >> -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle use >> at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking control, >> higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, >> pollution taxes etc >> >> One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies as >> this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really keen to >> do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be >> pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems for >> the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan for >> Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as an >> interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting to >> buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were >> "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was of >> course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! >> >> Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban Transport >> Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre of mobility >> planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged and public >> transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). >> >> It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of >> sabotage. >> >> -- >> Sujit Patwardhan >> Parisar >> Pune >> >> >> >> >> >> On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan >> wrote: >> >> >>> http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf >>> >>> >>> The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US >>> agency >>> and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. >>> Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies >>> suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). >>> I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the >>> absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of >>> accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can >>> reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." >>> The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to check. >>> >>> In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the >>> Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these >>> recommendations have been adopted? >>> >>> Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths >>> because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all >>> traffic problems. >>> >>> We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term >>> strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted >>> metro >>> in the country. >>> >>> Kanthi Kannan >>> >>> The Right to Walk Foundation >>> >>> www.right2walk.com >>> >>> >>> >>> -------------------------------------------------------- >>> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >>> YAHOOGROUPS. >>> >>> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to >>> join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The >>> yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to >>> the >>> real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you >>> can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >>> >>> ================================================================ >>> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >>> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries >>> (the 'Global South'). >>> >>> >> >> -- >> ------------------------------------------------------ >> Sujit Patwardhan >> sujitjp@gmail.com >> >> "Yamuna", >> ICS Colony, >> Ganeshkhind Road, >> Pune 411 007 >> India >> Tel: +91 20 25537955 >> Cell: +91 98220 26627 >> ----------------------------------------------------- >> Hon. Secretary: >> Parisar >> www.parisar.org >> ------------------------------------------------------ >> Founder Member: >> PTTF >> (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) >> www.pttf.net >> ------------------------------------------------------ >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> Message: 3 >> Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:43:37 +0800 >> From: Sudhir >> Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting >> read >> To: "Sujit Patwardhan" >> Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, Global 'South' Sustainable >> Transport >> Message-ID: >> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 >> >> Dear all, >> >> >> >> Any argument which brings better pedestrian infrastructure is fine with >> me. :-) (capacity, congestion .. if it gets the results). >> >> >> >> 1-2 decades back it was small isolated flyovers and now its elevated >> roads and in future...... >> >> >> >> (I would dream of best pedestrian and cycle infrastructure integrated with >> eco-friendly mass transport systems implemented in cities :-))... >> >> >> >> Cheers >> >> Sudhir >> >> >> >> >> On 21/08/2008, Sujit Patwardhan wrote: >> >> >>> * >>> in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail* >>> >>> I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long term >>> ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- >>> >>> -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public Transport >>> -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the same >>> as Skywalks) >>> -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These need >>> not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested >>> areas >>> sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided traffic >>> calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib in >>> Paris after thorough planning >>> -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle use >>> at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking >>> control, >>> higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, >>> pollution taxes etc >>> >>> One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies >>> as >>> this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really keen >>> to >>> do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be >>> pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems >>> for >>> the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan >>> for >>> Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as >>> an >>> interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting to >>> buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were >>> "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was of >>> course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! >>> >>> Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban >>> Transport Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre >>> of >>> mobility planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged >>> and >>> public transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). >>> >>> It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of >>> sabotage. >>> >>> -- >>> Sujit Patwardhan >>> Parisar >>> Pune >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan >>> wrote: >>> >>> >>>> http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf >>>> >>>> >>>> The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US >>>> agency >>>> and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. >>>> Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies >>>> suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). >>>> I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the >>>> absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of >>>> accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can >>>> reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." >>>> The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to >>>> check. >>>> >>>> In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the >>>> Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these >>>> recommendations have been adopted? >>>> >>>> Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths >>>> because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all >>>> traffic problems. >>>> >>>> We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term >>>> strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted >>>> metro >>>> in the country. >>>> >>>> Kanthi Kannan >>>> >>>> The Right to Walk Foundation >>>> >>>> www.right2walk.com >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -------------------------------------------------------- >>>> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >>>> YAHOOGROUPS. >>>> >>>> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to >>>> join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The >>>> yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to >>>> the >>>> real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you >>>> can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >>>> >>>> ================================================================ >>>> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >>>> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries >>>> (the 'Global South'). >>>> >>>> >>> >>> -- >>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>> Sujit Patwardhan >>> sujitjp@gmail.com >>> >>> "Yamuna", >>> ICS Colony, >>> Ganeshkhind Road, >>> Pune 411 007 >>> India >>> Tel: +91 20 25537955 >>> Cell: +91 98220 26627 >>> ----------------------------------------------------- >>> Hon. Secretary: >>> Parisar >>> www.parisar.org >>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>> Founder Member: >>> PTTF >>> (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) >>> www.pttf.net >>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>> >>> >>> >> >> -- >> Sudhir Gota >> Transport Specialist >> CAI-Asia Center >> Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower, >> ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City >> Metro Manila, Philippines 1605 >> Tel: +63-2-395-2843 >> Fax: +63-2-395-2846 >> http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia >> Skype : sudhirgota >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> Message: 4 >> Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:48:07 +0530 >> From: "Sujit Patwardhan" >> Subject: [sustran] [NewMobilityCafe] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution >> in Hyd: Interesting read >> To: "Kanthi Kannan" >> Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, Global 'South' Sustainable >> Transport >> Message-ID: >> <4cfd20aa0808202118l4214d496j9b479766d5604328@mail.gmail.com> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 >> >> * >> in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail* >> >> I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long term >> ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- >> >> -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public Transport >> -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the same >> as Skywalks) >> -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These need >> not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested areas >> sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided traffic >> calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib in >> Paris after thorough planning >> -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle use >> at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking control, >> higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, >> pollution taxes etc >> >> One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies as >> this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really keen to >> do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be >> pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems for >> the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan for >> Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as an >> interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting to >> buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were >> "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was of >> course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! >> >> Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban Transport >> Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre of mobility >> planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged and public >> transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). >> >> It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of >> sabotage. >> >> -- >> Sujit Patwardhan >> Parisar >> Pune >> >> >> >> >> >> On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan >> wrote: >> >> >>> http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf >>> >>> >>> The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US >>> agency >>> and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. >>> Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies >>> suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). >>> I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the >>> absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of >>> accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can >>> reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." >>> The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to check. >>> >>> In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the >>> Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these >>> recommendations have been adopted? >>> >>> Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths >>> because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all >>> traffic problems. >>> >>> We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term >>> strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted >>> metro >>> in the country. >>> >>> Kanthi Kannan >>> >>> The Right to Walk Foundation >>> >>> www.right2walk.com >>> >>> >>> >>> -------------------------------------------------------- >>> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >>> YAHOOGROUPS. >>> >>> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to >>> join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The >>> yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to >>> the >>> real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you >>> can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >>> >>> ================================================================ >>> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >>> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries >>> (the 'Global South'). >>> >>> >> >> -- >> ------------------------------------------------------ >> Sujit Patwardhan >> sujitjp@gmail.com >> >> "Yamuna", >> ICS Colony, >> Ganeshkhind Road, >> Pune 411 007 >> India >> Tel: +91 20 25537955 >> Cell: +91 98220 26627 >> ----------------------------------------------------- >> Hon. Secretary: >> Parisar >> www.parisar.org >> ------------------------------------------------------ >> Founder Member: >> PTTF >> (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) >> www.pttf.net >> ------------------------------------------------------ >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> Message: 5 >> Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:10:38 +0530 >> From: "Kanthi Kannan" >> Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting >> read >> To: "'Sudhir'" , "'Sujit Patwardhan'" >> >> Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, 'Global 'South' Sustainable >> Transport' >> Message-ID: <48acffe3.0e0d6e0a.7347.ffff89de@mx.google.com> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" >> >> Dear all >> >> >> >> When I mentioned in my earlier mail that we need to look at both short term >> and long term measures, I think that I was not very clear with my statement. >> >> >> >> What I meant was that have goals that are achievable in the short term. 1. >> Like getting pedestrian crossings done at a few selected locations. 2. Get a >> few footpaths cleared for use if not completely at least give enough access >> space. When we are talking about short term, the time frame is about 4 to 6 >> months. >> >> >> >> In our campaign unless, we are able to show some concrete progress people >> will not be willing to join our campaign. That is the reason for our >> concrete doables. We would ideally like to achieve all this and more as soon >> as possible. >> >> >> >> What Sri. Sujit ji has mentioned comes in our long term measures and hence >> goals. >> >> >> >> I agree that we need to look at the whole picture and not just at smaller >> parts and let the authorities not really put any thing into action. >> >> >> >> The major issues in Hyd are >> >> >> >> 1. Parking by Corporates: This is a Major issue in Hyd since even the >> larger Retail Outlets ( Reliance Fresh, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Reliance >> Communications, Vodaphone, MORE to name a few) do not have any parking place >> for customers and the vehicles are parked on the footpaths. We are shocked >> because these corporates talk so much about Social Responsibility and yet >> seem to be neglecting the basic pedestrian safety issue. >> 2. Lack of manned Pedestrian Crossings: There are many zebra lines >> drawn at various locations on each road but there is very little probability >> of any vehicle stopping at these places because of various reasons. Chief >> among them is the lack of implementation of the rule. >> 3. Height of Road dividers: The road dividers are pretty easy to cross >> and hence people jump over them and then run across the road. We are trying >> to get the authorities to make the road dividers higher so that people >> cannot cross the road where ever they want. >> >> >> >> Of course like all other Indian Cities, we have our quota of temples and >> mosques etc that take away our walking space and make us easy targets of the >> motorised drivers. >> >> >> >> Regards >> >> Kanthi >> >> >> >> The Right to Walk Foundation >> >> www.right2walk.com >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> _____ >> >> From: Sudhir [mailto:sudhir@cai-asia.org] >> Sent: 21 August 2008 10:14 >> To: Sujit Patwardhan >> Cc: Kanthi Kannan; Walter Hook; Global 'South' Sustainable Transport; >> NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com >> Subject: Re: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting >> read >> >> >> >> >> >> Dear all, >> >> >> >> Any argument which brings better pedestrian infrastructure is fine with me. >> :-) (capacity, congestion .. if it gets the results). >> >> >> >> 1-2 decades back it was small isolated flyovers and now its elevated roads >> and in future...... >> >> >> >> (I would dream of best pedestrian and cycle infrastructure integrated with >> eco-friendly mass transport systems implemented in cities :-))... >> >> >> >> Cheers >> >> Sudhir >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On 21/08/2008, Sujit Patwardhan wrote: >> >> >> in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail >> >> I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long term >> ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- >> >> -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public Transport >> -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the same >> as Skywalks) >> -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These need >> not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested areas >> sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided traffic >> calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib in >> Paris after thorough planning >> -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle use >> at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking control, >> higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, >> pollution taxes etc >> >> One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies as >> this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really keen to >> do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be >> pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems for >> the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan for >> Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as an >> interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting to >> buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were >> "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was of >> course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! >> >> Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban Transport >> Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre of mobility >> planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged and public >> transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). >> >> It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of >> sabotage. >> >> -- >> Sujit Patwardhan >> Parisar >> Pune >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan >> wrote: >> >> >> >> >> http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf >> >> >> The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US agency >> and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. >> Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies >> suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). >> I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the >> absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of >> accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can >> reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." >> The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to check. >> >> In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the >> Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these >> recommendations have been adopted? >> >> Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths >> because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all >> traffic problems. >> >> We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term >> strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted metro >> in the country. >> >> Kanthi Kannan >> >> The Right to Walk Foundation >> >> www.right2walk.com >> >> >> >> >> >> >> -------------------------------------------------------- >> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >> YAHOOGROUPS. >> >> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to join >> the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The yahoogroups >> version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to the real >> sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you can). >> Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >> >> ================================================================ >> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries >> (the 'Global South'). >> >> >> >> >> -- >> ------------------------------------------------------ >> Sujit Patwardhan >> sujitjp@gmail.com >> >> "Yamuna", >> ICS Colony, >> Ganeshkhind Road, >> Pune 411 007 >> India >> Tel: +91 20 25537955 >> Cell: +91 98220 26627 >> ----------------------------------------------------- >> Hon. Secretary: >> Parisar >> www.parisar.org >> ------------------------------------------------------ >> Founder Member: >> PTTF >> (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) >> www.pttf.net >> ------------------------------------------------------ >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> Sudhir Gota >> Transport Specialist >> CAI-Asia Center >> Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower, >> ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City >> Metro Manila, Philippines 1605 >> Tel: +63-2-395-2843 >> Fax: +63-2-395-2846 >> http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia >> Skype : sudhirgota >> >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> Message: 6 >> Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:17:51 -0500 >> From: Carlosfelipe Pardo >> Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting >> read >> To: Sudhir >> Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, Global 'South' Sustainable >> Transport >> Message-ID: <48AD40CF.7050803@gmail.com> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed >> >> Hi, >> >> In reading Kanthi's email, it seems that the important issue were to >> reduce congestion and emissions by increasing vehicle speeds... (!) From >> my point of view, it's better to actually concentrate on reducing >> demand, and in that way you won't need to segregate or to spend money on >> infrastructure, plus you won't have to force pedestrians to walk even >> more than they have to (detour factors for pedestrians in developing >> cities are much higher than for any other mode). For instance, take 20 >> car drivers and put them in one bus: you'll have freed up road space, >> increased speeds and reduced pollution (per person, which is the >> important individual). Plus you can still stop and wait for pedestrians >> to cross without the need of a bridge. AND you will have spent less money! >> >> My point is that thinking of speed and throughput as a solution to >> congestion (and emissions) will not solve the problem, but rather worsen >> it in the long run (induced travel generates more traffic, thus more >> pollution, even at higher speeds). Thinking of speed per individual >> vehicle is always a problem (as is thinking about vehicles). >> >> But the point from Sudhir regarding a possibly "evolution" towards >> improvement (first flyovers, then pedestrian bridges, and in future even >> better) is well taken. Above may be the vision of what we want, and >> reality may take some time to adjust... but let's please always propose >> the vision, and then adjust it to reality! >> >> These issues are better explained in some publications of GTZ SUTP: NMT >> training document, Economic Instruments, Mobility Management. All are >> available from www.sutp.org . >> >> Best regards, >> >> Carlosfelipe Pardo >> Coordinador de Proyecto- Project Coordinator >> GTZ - Proyecto de Transporte Sostenible (SUTP, SUTP-LAC) >> Cl 93A # 14-17 of 708 >> Bogot? D.C., Colombia >> Tel/fax: +57 (1) 236 2309 Mobile: +57 (3)15 296 0662 >> carlos.pardo@gtz.de www.gtz.de >> (carlos.pardo@sutp.org www.sutp.org ) >> >> Sudhir wrote: >> >>> Dear all, >>> >>> >>> >>> Any argument which brings better pedestrian infrastructure is fine with >>> me. :-) (capacity, congestion .. if it gets the results). >>> >>> >>> >>> 1-2 decades back it was small isolated flyovers and now its elevated >>> roads and in future...... >>> >>> >>> >>> (I would dream of best pedestrian and cycle infrastructure integrated with >>> eco-friendly mass transport systems implemented in cities :-))... >>> >>> >>> >>> Cheers >>> >>> Sudhir >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On 21/08/2008, Sujit Patwardhan wrote: >>> >>> >>> >>>> * >>>> in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail* >>>> >>>> I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long term >>>> ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- >>>> >>>> -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public Transport >>>> -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the >>>> same >>>> as Skywalks) >>>> -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These >>>> need >>>> not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested >>>> areas >>>> sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided >>>> traffic >>>> calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib >>>> in >>>> Paris after thorough planning >>>> -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle >>>> use >>>> at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking >>>> control, >>>> higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, >>>> pollution taxes etc >>>> >>>> One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies >>>> as >>>> this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really keen >>>> to >>>> do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be >>>> pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems >>>> for >>>> the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan >>>> for >>>> Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as >>>> an >>>> interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting >>>> to >>>> buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were >>>> "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was >>>> of >>>> course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! >>>> >>>> Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban >>>> Transport Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre >>>> of >>>> mobility planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged >>>> and >>>> public transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). >>>> >>>> It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of >>>> sabotage. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Sujit Patwardhan >>>> Parisar >>>> Pune >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>> http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US >>>>> agency >>>>> and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. >>>>> Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies >>>>> suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of >>>>> Footpath). >>>>> I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the >>>>> absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of >>>>> accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can >>>>> reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average >>>>> speed." >>>>> The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to >>>>> check. >>>>> >>>>> In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the >>>>> Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of >>>>> these >>>>> recommendations have been adopted? >>>>> >>>>> Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths >>>>> because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all >>>>> traffic problems. >>>>> >>>>> We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term >>>>> strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted >>>>> metro >>>>> in the country. >>>>> >>>>> Kanthi Kannan >>>>> >>>>> The Right to Walk Foundation >>>>> >>>>> www.right2walk.com >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -------------------------------------------------------- >>>>> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >>>>> YAHOOGROUPS. >>>>> >>>>> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to >>>>> join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The >>>>> yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to >>>>> the >>>>> real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like >>>>> you >>>>> can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >>>>> >>>>> ================================================================ >>>>> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >>>>> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries >>>>> (the 'Global South'). >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>> -- >>>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>>> Sujit Patwardhan >>>> sujitjp@gmail.com >>>> >>>> "Yamuna", >>>> ICS Colony, >>>> Ganeshkhind Road, >>>> Pune 411 007 >>>> India >>>> Tel: +91 20 25537955 >>>> Cell: +91 98220 26627 >>>> ----------------------------------------------------- >>>> Hon. Secretary: >>>> Parisar >>>> www.parisar.org >>>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>>> Founder Member: >>>> PTTF >>>> (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) >>>> www.pttf.net >>>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> >>> >>> >> ------------------------------ >> >> ================================================================ >> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries >> (the 'Global South'). >> >> End of Sustran-discuss Digest, Vol 60, Issue 15 >> *********************************************** >> >> > -------------------------------------------------------- > IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via YAHOOGROUPS. > > Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to the real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. > > ================================================================ > SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries (the 'Global South'). > > From whook at itdp.org Sat Aug 23 01:03:36 2008 From: whook at itdp.org (Walter Hook) Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:03:36 -0400 Subject: [sustran] any data on increased cycling in response to increases in fuel prices? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Does anyone have any data on increased bicycle or cycle rickshaw use in response to escalating fuel prices? Best Walter -----Original Message----- From: sustran-discuss-bounces+whook=itdp.org@list.jca.apc.org [mailto:sustran-discuss-bounces+whook=itdp.org@list.jca.apc.org] On Behalf Of Dr Adhiraj Joglekar Sent: Friday, August 22, 2008 1:32 AM To: sustran-discuss@list.jca.apc.org Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to walk I have followed this thread with interest. Somehow I think we are listening to what fits our interest more. The theme has moved away from pedestrians to public transport. Fact is that with or without PT, pedestrian facilities are a must. Right now they are missing in the very cities that talk about BRT and Metros. Its hard to find 500 meters of footpaths free of obstructions and made to std specifics of IRC that recommends 1.5m wide footpaths on both sides as a minimum. When Kanthi refers to speed, its because these are reduced due unsystematic mix of peds with vehicles. The dividers are also put up in illogical manner, more to stop vehicles from plying on wrong side (when 2 solid painted lines will suffice in Western nations). They are so long that peds are forced to breach them as they seem to do what the Berlin wall did. There are no pedetrian refuge's to be seen anywhere. The zebra is not respected due to ignorance as well as lack of implementing rules. How many road users in India are aware the Zebra belongs to pedestrians? Hardly, as they would otherwise have reclaimed it, instead they feel obliged if they manage to cross safely. Sujit has a valid point, we need one city wide vision and an operational plan for getting pedestrian facilities. Kanthi has clarified this is what she meant by short and long term. I fail to understand the push for grand PT initiatives when the fundamentals are completely missing? Adhiraj On 8/22/08, sustran-discuss-request@list.jca.apc.org wrote: > Send Sustran-discuss mailing list submissions to > sustran-discuss@list.jca.apc.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > sustran-discuss-request@list.jca.apc.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > sustran-discuss-owner@list.jca.apc.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than > "Re: Contents of Sustran-discuss digest..." > > > ######################################################################## > Sustran-discuss Mailing List Digest > > IMPORTANT NOTE: When replying please do not include the whole digest in your > reply - just include the relevant part of the specific message that you are > responding to. Many thanks. > > About this mailing list see: > http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss > ######################################################################## > > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read (Sunny) > 2. Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read > (Sujit Patwardhan) > 3. Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read (Sudhir) > 4. [NewMobilityCafe] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: > Interesting read (Sujit Patwardhan) > 5. Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read > (Kanthi Kannan) > 6. Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read > (Carlosfelipe Pardo) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:26:22 +0700 > From: Sunny > Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting > read > To: kanthikannan@gmail.com > Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, sustran-discuss@list.jca.apc.org > Message-ID: > <255cf00808202026k719fd933kb12b242d9d3ff1f1@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252 > > Dear Kanthi, > > Thanks a lot for the reference. > > I am doubtful on how having pedestrian crossings will increase traffic > speeds, unless such crossing mean building over-bridges - which take space > from the foot-paths and worsen the pain of pedestrians to cross a road. The > argument is simple "Why should a pedestrian climb up and down a (long) > bridge, just for a car to go fast?" > > Since you belong to the Right to Walk foundation, it would be great if you > can lobby for the pedestrians and cyclists and against the FOB it would be a > great step. > > Mixing traffic might not be a bad idea unless done in a very fashionable > way, see the concept of shared space for more info. There are cases of > reduced accidents and better driver behaviour in areas with shared space. > > Also in terms of pollution, the FOB's use cement and need extra lighting > (electricity) which are good contributors for pollution and so are widened > roads > > It will be very useful for the group (and esp. for myself) if you can > elaborate on the short term and long term measures that you were talking of > in Hyderabad. > > thanks again for the mail and best of luck! > cheers > sunny > > Kanthi Kannan wrote: > > http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf > > > The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US agency > and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. > Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies > suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). > I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the > absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of > accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can > reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." > The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to check. > > In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the > Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these > recommendations have been adopted? > > Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths > because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all > traffic problems. > > We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term > strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted metro > in the country. > > Kanthi Kannan > > The Right to Walk Foundation > www.right2walk.com > > > > -------------------------------------------------------- > IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via > YAHOOGROUPS. > > Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss > to join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The > yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post > to the real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it > seem like you can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. > > ================================================================ > SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, > equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing > countries (the 'Global South'). > > > > -- > > *Santhosh (Sunny) Kodukula* > > Urban Transport Expert > GTZ ? Sustainable Urban Transport Project (SUTP) > 0942, Transport and Tourism Division, > UNITED NATIONS, ESCAP Building, > Rajadamnern Nok Ave., > Bangkok 10200, THAILAND > > Ph: +66 (0)2 288 1321 > Fax: +66 (0)2 280 6042 > Mob:+66 (0)84 113 0181 > Email: santhosh.kodukula [at] sutp.org > Skype: sunny_nwho > Web: http://www.sutp.org > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:48:07 +0530 > From: "Sujit Patwardhan" > Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting > read > To: "Kanthi Kannan" > Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, Global 'South' Sustainable > Transport > Message-ID: > <4cfd20aa0808202118l4214d496j9b479766d5604328@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > * > in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail* > > I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long term > ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- > > -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public Transport > -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the same > as Skywalks) > -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These need > not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested areas > sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided traffic > calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib in > Paris after thorough planning > -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle use > at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking control, > higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, > pollution taxes etc > > One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies as > this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really keen to > do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be > pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems for > the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan for > Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as an > interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting to > buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were > "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was of > course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! > > Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban Transport > Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre of mobility > planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged and public > transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). > > It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of > sabotage. > > -- > Sujit Patwardhan > Parisar > Pune > > > > > > On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan > wrote: > >> >> http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf >> >> >> The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US >> agency >> and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. >> Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies >> suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). >> I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the >> absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of >> accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can >> reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." >> The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to check. >> >> In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the >> Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these >> recommendations have been adopted? >> >> Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths >> because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all >> traffic problems. >> >> We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term >> strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted >> metro >> in the country. >> >> Kanthi Kannan >> >> The Right to Walk Foundation >> >> www.right2walk.com >> >> >> >> -------------------------------------------------------- >> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >> YAHOOGROUPS. >> >> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to >> join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The >> yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to >> the >> real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you >> can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >> >> ================================================================ >> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries >> (the 'Global South'). >> > > > > -- > ------------------------------------------------------ > Sujit Patwardhan > sujitjp@gmail.com > > "Yamuna", > ICS Colony, > Ganeshkhind Road, > Pune 411 007 > India > Tel: +91 20 25537955 > Cell: +91 98220 26627 > ----------------------------------------------------- > Hon. Secretary: > Parisar > www.parisar.org > ------------------------------------------------------ > Founder Member: > PTTF > (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) > www.pttf.net > ------------------------------------------------------ > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:43:37 +0800 > From: Sudhir > Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting > read > To: "Sujit Patwardhan" > Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, Global 'South' Sustainable > Transport > Message-ID: > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > Dear all, > > > > Any argument which brings better pedestrian infrastructure is fine with > me. :-) (capacity, congestion .. if it gets the results). > > > > 1-2 decades back it was small isolated flyovers and now its elevated > roads and in future...... > > > > (I would dream of best pedestrian and cycle infrastructure integrated with > eco-friendly mass transport systems implemented in cities :-))... > > > > Cheers > > Sudhir > > > > > On 21/08/2008, Sujit Patwardhan wrote: > >> * >> in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail* >> >> I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long term >> ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- >> >> -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public Transport >> -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the same >> as Skywalks) >> -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These need >> not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested >> areas >> sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided traffic >> calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib in >> Paris after thorough planning >> -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle use >> at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking >> control, >> higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, >> pollution taxes etc >> >> One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies >> as >> this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really keen >> to >> do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be >> pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems >> for >> the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan >> for >> Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as >> an >> interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting to >> buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were >> "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was of >> course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! >> >> Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban >> Transport Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre >> of >> mobility planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged >> and >> public transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). >> >> It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of >> sabotage. >> >> -- >> Sujit Patwardhan >> Parisar >> Pune >> >> >> >> >> >> On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan >> wrote: >> >>> >>> http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf >>> >>> >>> The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US >>> agency >>> and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. >>> Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies >>> suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). >>> I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the >>> absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of >>> accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can >>> reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." >>> The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to >>> check. >>> >>> In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the >>> Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these >>> recommendations have been adopted? >>> >>> Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths >>> because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all >>> traffic problems. >>> >>> We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term >>> strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted >>> metro >>> in the country. >>> >>> Kanthi Kannan >>> >>> The Right to Walk Foundation >>> >>> www.right2walk.com >>> >>> >>> >>> -------------------------------------------------------- >>> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >>> YAHOOGROUPS. >>> >>> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to >>> join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The >>> yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to >>> the >>> real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you >>> can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >>> >>> ================================================================ >>> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >>> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries >>> (the 'Global South'). >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> ------------------------------------------------------ >> Sujit Patwardhan >> sujitjp@gmail.com >> >> "Yamuna", >> ICS Colony, >> Ganeshkhind Road, >> Pune 411 007 >> India >> Tel: +91 20 25537955 >> Cell: +91 98220 26627 >> ----------------------------------------------------- >> Hon. Secretary: >> Parisar >> www.parisar.org >> ------------------------------------------------------ >> Founder Member: >> PTTF >> (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) >> www.pttf.net >> ------------------------------------------------------ >> >> > > > > -- > Sudhir Gota > Transport Specialist > CAI-Asia Center > Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower, > ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City > Metro Manila, Philippines 1605 > Tel: +63-2-395-2843 > Fax: +63-2-395-2846 > http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia > Skype : sudhirgota > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:48:07 +0530 > From: "Sujit Patwardhan" > Subject: [sustran] [NewMobilityCafe] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution > in Hyd: Interesting read > To: "Kanthi Kannan" > Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, Global 'South' Sustainable > Transport > Message-ID: > <4cfd20aa0808202118l4214d496j9b479766d5604328@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > * > in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail* > > I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long term > ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- > > -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public Transport > -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the same > as Skywalks) > -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These need > not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested areas > sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided traffic > calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib in > Paris after thorough planning > -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle use > at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking control, > higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, > pollution taxes etc > > One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies as > this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really keen to > do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be > pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems for > the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan for > Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as an > interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting to > buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were > "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was of > course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! > > Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban Transport > Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre of mobility > planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged and public > transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). > > It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of > sabotage. > > -- > Sujit Patwardhan > Parisar > Pune > > > > > > On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan > wrote: > >> >> http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf >> >> >> The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US >> agency >> and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. >> Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies >> suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). >> I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the >> absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of >> accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can >> reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." >> The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to check. >> >> In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the >> Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these >> recommendations have been adopted? >> >> Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths >> because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all >> traffic problems. >> >> We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term >> strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted >> metro >> in the country. >> >> Kanthi Kannan >> >> The Right to Walk Foundation >> >> www.right2walk.com >> >> >> >> -------------------------------------------------------- >> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >> YAHOOGROUPS. >> >> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to >> join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The >> yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to >> the >> real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you >> can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >> >> ================================================================ >> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries >> (the 'Global South'). >> > > > > -- > ------------------------------------------------------ > Sujit Patwardhan > sujitjp@gmail.com > > "Yamuna", > ICS Colony, > Ganeshkhind Road, > Pune 411 007 > India > Tel: +91 20 25537955 > Cell: +91 98220 26627 > ----------------------------------------------------- > Hon. Secretary: > Parisar > www.parisar.org > ------------------------------------------------------ > Founder Member: > PTTF > (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) > www.pttf.net > ------------------------------------------------------ > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:10:38 +0530 > From: "Kanthi Kannan" > Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting > read > To: "'Sudhir'" , "'Sujit Patwardhan'" > > Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, 'Global 'South' Sustainable > Transport' > Message-ID: <48acffe3.0e0d6e0a.7347.ffff89de@mx.google.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Dear all > > > > When I mentioned in my earlier mail that we need to look at both short term > and long term measures, I think that I was not very clear with my statement. > > > > What I meant was that have goals that are achievable in the short term. 1. > Like getting pedestrian crossings done at a few selected locations. 2. Get a > few footpaths cleared for use if not completely at least give enough access > space. When we are talking about short term, the time frame is about 4 to 6 > months. > > > > In our campaign unless, we are able to show some concrete progress people > will not be willing to join our campaign. That is the reason for our > concrete doables. We would ideally like to achieve all this and more as soon > as possible. > > > > What Sri. Sujit ji has mentioned comes in our long term measures and hence > goals. > > > > I agree that we need to look at the whole picture and not just at smaller > parts and let the authorities not really put any thing into action. > > > > The major issues in Hyd are > > > > 1. Parking by Corporates: This is a Major issue in Hyd since even the > larger Retail Outlets ( Reliance Fresh, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Reliance > Communications, Vodaphone, MORE to name a few) do not have any parking place > for customers and the vehicles are parked on the footpaths. We are shocked > because these corporates talk so much about Social Responsibility and yet > seem to be neglecting the basic pedestrian safety issue. > 2. Lack of manned Pedestrian Crossings: There are many zebra lines > drawn at various locations on each road but there is very little probability > of any vehicle stopping at these places because of various reasons. Chief > among them is the lack of implementation of the rule. > 3. Height of Road dividers: The road dividers are pretty easy to cross > and hence people jump over them and then run across the road. We are trying > to get the authorities to make the road dividers higher so that people > cannot cross the road where ever they want. > > > > Of course like all other Indian Cities, we have our quota of temples and > mosques etc that take away our walking space and make us easy targets of the > motorised drivers. > > > > Regards > > Kanthi > > > > The Right to Walk Foundation > > www.right2walk.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _____ > > From: Sudhir [mailto:sudhir@cai-asia.org] > Sent: 21 August 2008 10:14 > To: Sujit Patwardhan > Cc: Kanthi Kannan; Walter Hook; Global 'South' Sustainable Transport; > NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com > Subject: Re: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting > read > > > > > > Dear all, > > > > Any argument which brings better pedestrian infrastructure is fine with me. > :-) (capacity, congestion .. if it gets the results). > > > > 1-2 decades back it was small isolated flyovers and now its elevated roads > and in future...... > > > > (I would dream of best pedestrian and cycle infrastructure integrated with > eco-friendly mass transport systems implemented in cities :-))... > > > > Cheers > > Sudhir > > > > > > > On 21/08/2008, Sujit Patwardhan wrote: > > > in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail > > I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long term > ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- > > -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public Transport > -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the same > as Skywalks) > -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These need > not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested areas > sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided traffic > calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib in > Paris after thorough planning > -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle use > at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking control, > higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, > pollution taxes etc > > One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies as > this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really keen to > do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be > pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems for > the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan for > Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as an > interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting to > buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were > "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was of > course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! > > Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban Transport > Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre of mobility > planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged and public > transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). > > It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of > sabotage. > > -- > Sujit Patwardhan > Parisar > Pune > > > > > > > > > On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan > wrote: > > > > > http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf > > > The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US agency > and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. > Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies > suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). > I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the > absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of > accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can > reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." > The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to check. > > In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the > Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these > recommendations have been adopted? > > Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths > because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all > traffic problems. > > We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term > strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted metro > in the country. > > Kanthi Kannan > > The Right to Walk Foundation > > www.right2walk.com > > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------- > IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via > YAHOOGROUPS. > > Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to join > the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The yahoogroups > version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to the real > sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you can). > Apologies for the confusing arrangement. > > ================================================================ > SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, > equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries > (the 'Global South'). > > > > > -- > ------------------------------------------------------ > Sujit Patwardhan > sujitjp@gmail.com > > "Yamuna", > ICS Colony, > Ganeshkhind Road, > Pune 411 007 > India > Tel: +91 20 25537955 > Cell: +91 98220 26627 > ----------------------------------------------------- > Hon. Secretary: > Parisar > www.parisar.org > ------------------------------------------------------ > Founder Member: > PTTF > (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) > www.pttf.net > ------------------------------------------------------ > > > > > > -- > Sudhir Gota > Transport Specialist > CAI-Asia Center > Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower, > ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City > Metro Manila, Philippines 1605 > Tel: +63-2-395-2843 > Fax: +63-2-395-2846 > http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia > Skype : sudhirgota > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 6 > Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:17:51 -0500 > From: Carlosfelipe Pardo > Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting > read > To: Sudhir > Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, Global 'South' Sustainable > Transport > Message-ID: <48AD40CF.7050803@gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Hi, > > In reading Kanthi's email, it seems that the important issue were to > reduce congestion and emissions by increasing vehicle speeds... (!) From > my point of view, it's better to actually concentrate on reducing > demand, and in that way you won't need to segregate or to spend money on > infrastructure, plus you won't have to force pedestrians to walk even > more than they have to (detour factors for pedestrians in developing > cities are much higher than for any other mode). For instance, take 20 > car drivers and put them in one bus: you'll have freed up road space, > increased speeds and reduced pollution (per person, which is the > important individual). Plus you can still stop and wait for pedestrians > to cross without the need of a bridge. AND you will have spent less money! > > My point is that thinking of speed and throughput as a solution to > congestion (and emissions) will not solve the problem, but rather worsen > it in the long run (induced travel generates more traffic, thus more > pollution, even at higher speeds). Thinking of speed per individual > vehicle is always a problem (as is thinking about vehicles). > > But the point from Sudhir regarding a possibly "evolution" towards > improvement (first flyovers, then pedestrian bridges, and in future even > better) is well taken. Above may be the vision of what we want, and > reality may take some time to adjust... but let's please always propose > the vision, and then adjust it to reality! > > These issues are better explained in some publications of GTZ SUTP: NMT > training document, Economic Instruments, Mobility Management. All are > available from www.sutp.org . > > Best regards, > > Carlosfelipe Pardo > Coordinador de Proyecto- Project Coordinator > GTZ - Proyecto de Transporte Sostenible (SUTP, SUTP-LAC) > Cl 93A # 14-17 of 708 > Bogot? D.C., Colombia > Tel/fax: +57 (1) 236 2309 Mobile: +57 (3)15 296 0662 > carlos.pardo@gtz.de www.gtz.de > (carlos.pardo@sutp.org www.sutp.org ) > > Sudhir wrote: >> Dear all, >> >> >> >> Any argument which brings better pedestrian infrastructure is fine with >> me. :-) (capacity, congestion .. if it gets the results). >> >> >> >> 1-2 decades back it was small isolated flyovers and now its elevated >> roads and in future...... >> >> >> >> (I would dream of best pedestrian and cycle infrastructure integrated with >> eco-friendly mass transport systems implemented in cities :-))... >> >> >> >> Cheers >> >> Sudhir >> >> >> >> >> On 21/08/2008, Sujit Patwardhan wrote: >> >> >>> * >>> in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail* >>> >>> I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long term >>> ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- >>> >>> -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public Transport >>> -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the >>> same >>> as Skywalks) >>> -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These >>> need >>> not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested >>> areas >>> sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided >>> traffic >>> calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib >>> in >>> Paris after thorough planning >>> -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle >>> use >>> at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking >>> control, >>> higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, >>> pollution taxes etc >>> >>> One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies >>> as >>> this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really keen >>> to >>> do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be >>> pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems >>> for >>> the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan >>> for >>> Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as >>> an >>> interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting >>> to >>> buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were >>> "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was >>> of >>> course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! >>> >>> Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban >>> Transport Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre >>> of >>> mobility planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged >>> and >>> public transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). >>> >>> It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of >>> sabotage. >>> >>> -- >>> Sujit Patwardhan >>> Parisar >>> Pune >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan >>> wrote: >>> >>> >>>> http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf >>>> >>>> >>>> The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US >>>> agency >>>> and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. >>>> Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies >>>> suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of >>>> Footpath). >>>> I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the >>>> absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of >>>> accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can >>>> reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average >>>> speed." >>>> The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to >>>> check. >>>> >>>> In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the >>>> Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of >>>> these >>>> recommendations have been adopted? >>>> >>>> Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths >>>> because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all >>>> traffic problems. >>>> >>>> We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term >>>> strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted >>>> metro >>>> in the country. >>>> >>>> Kanthi Kannan >>>> >>>> The Right to Walk Foundation >>>> >>>> www.right2walk.com >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -------------------------------------------------------- >>>> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >>>> YAHOOGROUPS. >>>> >>>> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to >>>> join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The >>>> yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to >>>> the >>>> real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like >>>> you >>>> can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >>>> >>>> ================================================================ >>>> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >>>> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries >>>> (the 'Global South'). >>>> >>>> >>> >>> -- >>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>> Sujit Patwardhan >>> sujitjp@gmail.com >>> >>> "Yamuna", >>> ICS Colony, >>> Ganeshkhind Road, >>> Pune 411 007 >>> India >>> Tel: +91 20 25537955 >>> Cell: +91 98220 26627 >>> ----------------------------------------------------- >>> Hon. Secretary: >>> Parisar >>> www.parisar.org >>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>> Founder Member: >>> PTTF >>> (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) >>> www.pttf.net >>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> > > > ------------------------------ > > ================================================================ > SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, > equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries > (the 'Global South'). > > End of Sustran-discuss Digest, Vol 60, Issue 15 > *********************************************** > -------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via YAHOOGROUPS. Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to the real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. ================================================================ SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries (the 'Global South'). From adhiraj.joglekar at googlemail.com Sat Aug 23 02:17:57 2008 From: adhiraj.joglekar at googlemail.com (Dr Adhiraj Joglekar) Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:17:57 +0100 Subject: [sustran] Re: The right to walk and mayors' toys In-Reply-To: <48AEDA9C.1010008@gmail.com> References: <48AEDA9C.1010008@gmail.com> Message-ID: Dear Carlos, Completely agree. Your follow up questions are vital. Pune, India and its BRT are a prime example of leaders using projects as tick boxes on their public CV. The Pune common wealth games (Oct 08) website talks of BRT as a great accomplishment. Amazing given that in over 18 months since start date there are sections with no footpaths, no cycle lanes that were promised and even road markings are missing on sections. Selfishness combined with shortsightedness make a lethal combination. In India right now this combination is more potent than HIV where some anti-retrovirals work, here we have no treatment leave aside cure. Cheers, Adhiraj On 8/22/08, Carlosfelipe Pardo wrote: > Dr Adhiraj, > > Regarding your last question (why "the push for grand PT initiatives > when the fundamentals are completely missing?"), I would say that this > is because many mayors need a big toy to show everyone else as "their > contribution to the city". A mayor who builds a metro or at least leaves > a big hole for the metro to be built will be seen as a "good mayor" > (since building it will take longer than their mandate, at least 95% of > the times). On the other hand, if they change a full set of policies or > develop a citywide vision that shall be implemented in the future, or > reorganize institutions in order to provide a better service in future > for cities, many will say that they did nothing, and they will not be > eligible to run for president or be reelected... which seems to be their > real interest. The quest for power as an end in itself will never fix a > city, and will most probably damage it. Power as a means to various ends > is what seems to be lacking in policymakers. The most interesting part > of it is that those who really see power as a means and succeed in > implementing that vision are most probably reelected in future! (for > this I can't provide figures, but I'm almost sure this is the case). > > The followup question would then be "what can we do?" Build better > institutions? Improve citizens' ability to demand changes in policies? > Train mayors?? Educate the population with the money that is being spent > in fuel subsidies??? Ideas and experiences are most welcome. > > Best regards, > > Carlos. > > Dr Adhiraj Joglekar wrote: >> I have followed this thread with interest. Somehow I think we are >> listening to what fits our interest more. The theme has moved away >> from pedestrians to public transport. Fact is that with or without PT, >> pedestrian facilities are a must. Right now they are missing in the >> very cities that talk about BRT and Metros. Its hard to find 500 >> meters of footpaths free of obstructions and made to std specifics of >> IRC that recommends 1.5m wide footpaths on both sides as a minimum. >> When Kanthi refers to speed, its because these are reduced due >> unsystematic mix of peds with vehicles. The dividers are also put up >> in illogical manner, more to stop vehicles from plying on wrong side >> (when 2 solid painted lines will suffice in Western nations). They are >> so long that peds are forced to breach them as they seem to do what >> the Berlin wall did. There are no pedetrian refuge's to be seen >> anywhere. The zebra is not respected due to ignorance as well as lack >> of implementing rules. How many road users in India are aware the >> Zebra belongs to pedestrians? Hardly, as they would otherwise have >> reclaimed it, instead they feel obliged if they manage to cross >> safely. Sujit has a valid point, we need one city wide vision and an >> operational plan for getting pedestrian facilities. Kanthi has >> clarified this is what she meant by short and long term. I fail to >> understand the push for grand PT initiatives when the fundamentals are >> completely missing? >> Adhiraj >> >> On 8/22/08, sustran-discuss-request@list.jca.apc.org >> wrote: >> >>> Send Sustran-discuss mailing list submissions to >>> sustran-discuss@list.jca.apc.org >>> >>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit >>> http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss >>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to >>> sustran-discuss-request@list.jca.apc.org >>> >>> You can reach the person managing the list at >>> sustran-discuss-owner@list.jca.apc.org >>> >>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than >>> "Re: Contents of Sustran-discuss digest..." >>> >>> >>> ######################################################################## >>> Sustran-discuss Mailing List Digest >>> >>> IMPORTANT NOTE: When replying please do not include the whole digest in >>> your >>> reply - just include the relevant part of the specific message that you >>> are >>> responding to. Many thanks. >>> >>> About this mailing list see: >>> http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss >>> ######################################################################## >>> >>> >>> >>> Today's Topics: >>> >>> 1. Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read (Sunny) >>> 2. Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read >>> (Sujit Patwardhan) >>> 3. Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read (Sudhir) >>> 4. [NewMobilityCafe] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: >>> Interesting read (Sujit Patwardhan) >>> 5. Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read >>> (Kanthi Kannan) >>> 6. Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting read >>> (Carlosfelipe Pardo) >>> >>> >>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> >>> Message: 1 >>> Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:26:22 +0700 >>> From: Sunny >>> Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting >>> read >>> To: kanthikannan@gmail.com >>> Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, sustran-discuss@list.jca.apc.org >>> Message-ID: >>> <255cf00808202026k719fd933kb12b242d9d3ff1f1@mail.gmail.com> >>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252 >>> >>> Dear Kanthi, >>> >>> Thanks a lot for the reference. >>> >>> I am doubtful on how having pedestrian crossings will increase traffic >>> speeds, unless such crossing mean building over-bridges - which take >>> space >>> from the foot-paths and worsen the pain of pedestrians to cross a road. >>> The >>> argument is simple "Why should a pedestrian climb up and down a (long) >>> bridge, just for a car to go fast?" >>> >>> Since you belong to the Right to Walk foundation, it would be great if >>> you >>> can lobby for the pedestrians and cyclists and against the FOB it would >>> be a >>> great step. >>> >>> Mixing traffic might not be a bad idea unless done in a very fashionable >>> way, see the concept of shared space for more info. There are cases of >>> reduced accidents and better driver behaviour in areas with shared space. >>> >>> Also in terms of pollution, the FOB's use cement and need extra lighting >>> (electricity) which are good contributors for pollution and so are >>> widened >>> roads >>> >>> It will be very useful for the group (and esp. for myself) if you can >>> elaborate on the short term and long term measures that you were talking >>> of >>> in Hyderabad. >>> >>> thanks again for the mail and best of luck! >>> cheers >>> sunny >>> >>> Kanthi Kannan wrote: >>> >>> http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf >>> >>> >>> The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US >>> agency >>> and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. >>> Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies >>> suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). >>> I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the >>> absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of >>> accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can >>> reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." >>> The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to >>> check. >>> >>> In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the >>> Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these >>> recommendations have been adopted? >>> >>> Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths >>> because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all >>> traffic problems. >>> >>> We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term >>> strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted >>> metro >>> in the country. >>> >>> Kanthi Kannan >>> >>> The Right to Walk Foundation >>> www.right2walk.com >>> >>> >>> >>> -------------------------------------------------------- >>> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >>> YAHOOGROUPS. >>> >>> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss >>> to join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The >>> yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post >>> to the real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it >>> seem like you can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >>> >>> ================================================================ >>> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >>> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing >>> countries (the 'Global South'). >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> >>> *Santhosh (Sunny) Kodukula* >>> >>> Urban Transport Expert >>> GTZ ? Sustainable Urban Transport Project (SUTP) >>> 0942, Transport and Tourism Division, >>> UNITED NATIONS, ESCAP Building, >>> Rajadamnern Nok Ave., >>> Bangkok 10200, THAILAND >>> >>> Ph: +66 (0)2 288 1321 >>> Fax: +66 (0)2 280 6042 >>> Mob:+66 (0)84 113 0181 >>> Email: santhosh.kodukula [at] sutp.org >>> Skype: sunny_nwho >>> Web: http://www.sutp.org >>> >>> >>> ------------------------------ >>> >>> Message: 2 >>> Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:48:07 +0530 >>> From: "Sujit Patwardhan" >>> Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting >>> read >>> To: "Kanthi Kannan" >>> Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, Global 'South' Sustainable >>> Transport >>> Message-ID: >>> <4cfd20aa0808202118l4214d496j9b479766d5604328@mail.gmail.com> >>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 >>> >>> * >>> in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail* >>> >>> I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long term >>> ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- >>> >>> -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public Transport >>> -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the >>> same >>> as Skywalks) >>> -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These >>> need >>> not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested >>> areas >>> sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided >>> traffic >>> calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib >>> in >>> Paris after thorough planning >>> -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle >>> use >>> at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking >>> control, >>> higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, >>> pollution taxes etc >>> >>> One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies >>> as >>> this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really keen >>> to >>> do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be >>> pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems >>> for >>> the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan >>> for >>> Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as >>> an >>> interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting >>> to >>> buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were >>> "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was >>> of >>> course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! >>> >>> Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban >>> Transport >>> Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre of >>> mobility >>> planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged and >>> public >>> transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). >>> >>> It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of >>> sabotage. >>> >>> -- >>> Sujit Patwardhan >>> Parisar >>> Pune >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan >>> wrote: >>> >>> >>>> http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf >>>> >>>> >>>> The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US >>>> agency >>>> and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. >>>> Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies >>>> suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of >>>> Footpath). >>>> I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the >>>> absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of >>>> accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can >>>> reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average >>>> speed." >>>> The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to >>>> check. >>>> >>>> In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the >>>> Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of >>>> these >>>> recommendations have been adopted? >>>> >>>> Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths >>>> because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all >>>> traffic problems. >>>> >>>> We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term >>>> strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted >>>> metro >>>> in the country. >>>> >>>> Kanthi Kannan >>>> >>>> The Right to Walk Foundation >>>> >>>> www.right2walk.com >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -------------------------------------------------------- >>>> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >>>> YAHOOGROUPS. >>>> >>>> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to >>>> join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The >>>> yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to >>>> the >>>> real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like >>>> you >>>> can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >>>> >>>> ================================================================ >>>> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >>>> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries >>>> (the 'Global South'). >>>> >>>> >>> >>> -- >>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>> Sujit Patwardhan >>> sujitjp@gmail.com >>> >>> "Yamuna", >>> ICS Colony, >>> Ganeshkhind Road, >>> Pune 411 007 >>> India >>> Tel: +91 20 25537955 >>> Cell: +91 98220 26627 >>> ----------------------------------------------------- >>> Hon. Secretary: >>> Parisar >>> www.parisar.org >>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>> Founder Member: >>> PTTF >>> (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) >>> www.pttf.net >>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>> >>> >>> ------------------------------ >>> >>> Message: 3 >>> Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:43:37 +0800 >>> From: Sudhir >>> Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting >>> read >>> To: "Sujit Patwardhan" >>> Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, Global 'South' Sustainable >>> Transport >>> Message-ID: >>> >>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 >>> >>> Dear all, >>> >>> >>> >>> Any argument which brings better pedestrian infrastructure is fine with >>> me. :-) (capacity, congestion .. if it gets the results). >>> >>> >>> >>> 1-2 decades back it was small isolated flyovers and now its elevated >>> roads and in future...... >>> >>> >>> >>> (I would dream of best pedestrian and cycle infrastructure integrated >>> with >>> eco-friendly mass transport systems implemented in cities :-))... >>> >>> >>> >>> Cheers >>> >>> Sudhir >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On 21/08/2008, Sujit Patwardhan wrote: >>> >>> >>>> * >>>> in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail* >>>> >>>> I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long >>>> term >>>> ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- >>>> >>>> -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public >>>> Transport >>>> -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the >>>> same >>>> as Skywalks) >>>> -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These >>>> need >>>> not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested >>>> areas >>>> sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided >>>> traffic >>>> calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib >>>> in >>>> Paris after thorough planning >>>> -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle >>>> use >>>> at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking >>>> control, >>>> higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, >>>> pollution taxes etc >>>> >>>> One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies >>>> as >>>> this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really >>>> keen >>>> to >>>> do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be >>>> pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems >>>> for >>>> the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan >>>> for >>>> Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as >>>> an >>>> interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting >>>> to >>>> buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were >>>> "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was >>>> of >>>> course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! >>>> >>>> Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban >>>> Transport Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre >>>> of >>>> mobility planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged >>>> and >>>> public transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). >>>> >>>> It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of >>>> sabotage. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Sujit Patwardhan >>>> Parisar >>>> Pune >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>>> http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US >>>>> agency >>>>> and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. >>>>> Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies >>>>> suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of >>>>> Footpath). >>>>> I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the >>>>> absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number >>>>> of >>>>> accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can >>>>> reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average >>>>> speed." >>>>> The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to >>>>> check. >>>>> >>>>> In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the >>>>> Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of >>>>> these >>>>> recommendations have been adopted? >>>>> >>>>> Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths >>>>> because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for >>>>> all >>>>> traffic problems. >>>>> >>>>> We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long >>>>> term >>>>> strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted >>>>> metro >>>>> in the country. >>>>> >>>>> Kanthi Kannan >>>>> >>>>> The Right to Walk Foundation >>>>> >>>>> www.right2walk.com >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -------------------------------------------------------- >>>>> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >>>>> YAHOOGROUPS. >>>>> >>>>> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to >>>>> join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The >>>>> yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to >>>>> the >>>>> real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like >>>>> you >>>>> can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >>>>> >>>>> ================================================================ >>>>> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >>>>> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing >>>>> countries >>>>> (the 'Global South'). >>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>>> Sujit Patwardhan >>>> sujitjp@gmail.com >>>> >>>> "Yamuna", >>>> ICS Colony, >>>> Ganeshkhind Road, >>>> Pune 411 007 >>>> India >>>> Tel: +91 20 25537955 >>>> Cell: +91 98220 26627 >>>> ----------------------------------------------------- >>>> Hon. Secretary: >>>> Parisar >>>> www.parisar.org >>>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>>> Founder Member: >>>> PTTF >>>> (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) >>>> www.pttf.net >>>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> >>> -- >>> Sudhir Gota >>> Transport Specialist >>> CAI-Asia Center >>> Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower, >>> ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City >>> Metro Manila, Philippines 1605 >>> Tel: +63-2-395-2843 >>> Fax: +63-2-395-2846 >>> http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia >>> Skype : sudhirgota >>> >>> >>> ------------------------------ >>> >>> Message: 4 >>> Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:48:07 +0530 >>> From: "Sujit Patwardhan" >>> Subject: [sustran] [NewMobilityCafe] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution >>> in Hyd: Interesting read >>> To: "Kanthi Kannan" >>> Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, Global 'South' Sustainable >>> Transport >>> Message-ID: >>> <4cfd20aa0808202118l4214d496j9b479766d5604328@mail.gmail.com> >>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 >>> >>> * >>> in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail* >>> >>> I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long term >>> ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- >>> >>> -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public Transport >>> -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the >>> same >>> as Skywalks) >>> -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These >>> need >>> not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested >>> areas >>> sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided >>> traffic >>> calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib >>> in >>> Paris after thorough planning >>> -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle >>> use >>> at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking >>> control, >>> higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, >>> pollution taxes etc >>> >>> One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies >>> as >>> this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really keen >>> to >>> do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be >>> pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems >>> for >>> the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan >>> for >>> Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as >>> an >>> interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting >>> to >>> buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were >>> "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was >>> of >>> course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! >>> >>> Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban >>> Transport >>> Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre of >>> mobility >>> planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged and >>> public >>> transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). >>> >>> It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of >>> sabotage. >>> >>> -- >>> Sujit Patwardhan >>> Parisar >>> Pune >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan >>> wrote: >>> >>> >>>> http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf >>>> >>>> >>>> The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US >>>> agency >>>> and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. >>>> Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies >>>> suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of >>>> Footpath). >>>> I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the >>>> absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of >>>> accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can >>>> reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average >>>> speed." >>>> The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to >>>> check. >>>> >>>> In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the >>>> Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of >>>> these >>>> recommendations have been adopted? >>>> >>>> Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths >>>> because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all >>>> traffic problems. >>>> >>>> We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term >>>> strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted >>>> metro >>>> in the country. >>>> >>>> Kanthi Kannan >>>> >>>> The Right to Walk Foundation >>>> >>>> www.right2walk.com >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -------------------------------------------------------- >>>> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >>>> YAHOOGROUPS. >>>> >>>> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to >>>> join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The >>>> yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to >>>> the >>>> real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like >>>> you >>>> can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >>>> >>>> ================================================================ >>>> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >>>> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries >>>> (the 'Global South'). >>>> >>>> >>> >>> -- >>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>> Sujit Patwardhan >>> sujitjp@gmail.com >>> >>> "Yamuna", >>> ICS Colony, >>> Ganeshkhind Road, >>> Pune 411 007 >>> India >>> Tel: +91 20 25537955 >>> Cell: +91 98220 26627 >>> ----------------------------------------------------- >>> Hon. Secretary: >>> Parisar >>> www.parisar.org >>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>> Founder Member: >>> PTTF >>> (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) >>> www.pttf.net >>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>> >>> >>> ------------------------------ >>> >>> Message: 5 >>> Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:10:38 +0530 >>> From: "Kanthi Kannan" >>> Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting >>> read >>> To: "'Sudhir'" , "'Sujit Patwardhan'" >>> >>> Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, 'Global 'South' Sustainable >>> Transport' >>> Message-ID: <48acffe3.0e0d6e0a.7347.ffff89de@mx.google.com> >>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" >>> >>> Dear all >>> >>> >>> >>> When I mentioned in my earlier mail that we need to look at both short >>> term >>> and long term measures, I think that I was not very clear with my >>> statement. >>> >>> >>> >>> What I meant was that have goals that are achievable in the short term. >>> 1. >>> Like getting pedestrian crossings done at a few selected locations. 2. >>> Get a >>> few footpaths cleared for use if not completely at least give enough >>> access >>> space. When we are talking about short term, the time frame is about 4 to >>> 6 >>> months. >>> >>> >>> >>> In our campaign unless, we are able to show some concrete progress people >>> will not be willing to join our campaign. That is the reason for our >>> concrete doables. We would ideally like to achieve all this and more as >>> soon >>> as possible. >>> >>> >>> >>> What Sri. Sujit ji has mentioned comes in our long term measures and >>> hence >>> goals. >>> >>> >>> >>> I agree that we need to look at the whole picture and not just at smaller >>> parts and let the authorities not really put any thing into action. >>> >>> >>> >>> The major issues in Hyd are >>> >>> >>> >>> 1. Parking by Corporates: This is a Major issue in Hyd since even the >>> larger Retail Outlets ( Reliance Fresh, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Reliance >>> Communications, Vodaphone, MORE to name a few) do not have any parking >>> place >>> for customers and the vehicles are parked on the footpaths. We are >>> shocked >>> because these corporates talk so much about Social Responsibility and yet >>> seem to be neglecting the basic pedestrian safety issue. >>> 2. Lack of manned Pedestrian Crossings: There are many zebra lines >>> drawn at various locations on each road but there is very little >>> probability >>> of any vehicle stopping at these places because of various reasons. Chief >>> among them is the lack of implementation of the rule. >>> 3. Height of Road dividers: The road dividers are pretty easy to cross >>> and hence people jump over them and then run across the road. We are >>> trying >>> to get the authorities to make the road dividers higher so that people >>> cannot cross the road where ever they want. >>> >>> >>> >>> Of course like all other Indian Cities, we have our quota of temples and >>> mosques etc that take away our walking space and make us easy targets of >>> the >>> motorised drivers. >>> >>> >>> >>> Regards >>> >>> Kanthi >>> >>> >>> >>> The Right to Walk Foundation >>> >>> www.right2walk.com >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> _____ >>> >>> From: Sudhir [mailto:sudhir@cai-asia.org] >>> Sent: 21 August 2008 10:14 >>> To: Sujit Patwardhan >>> Cc: Kanthi Kannan; Walter Hook; Global 'South' Sustainable Transport; >>> NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com >>> Subject: Re: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: >>> Interesting >>> read >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Dear all, >>> >>> >>> >>> Any argument which brings better pedestrian infrastructure is fine with >>> me. >>> :-) (capacity, congestion .. if it gets the results). >>> >>> >>> >>> 1-2 decades back it was small isolated flyovers and now its elevated >>> roads >>> and in future...... >>> >>> >>> >>> (I would dream of best pedestrian and cycle infrastructure integrated >>> with >>> eco-friendly mass transport systems implemented in cities :-))... >>> >>> >>> >>> Cheers >>> >>> Sudhir >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On 21/08/2008, Sujit Patwardhan wrote: >>> >>> >>> in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail >>> >>> I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long term >>> ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- >>> >>> -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public Transport >>> -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the >>> same >>> as Skywalks) >>> -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These >>> need >>> not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested >>> areas >>> sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided >>> traffic >>> calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib >>> in >>> Paris after thorough planning >>> -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle >>> use >>> at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking >>> control, >>> higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, >>> pollution taxes etc >>> >>> One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term strategies >>> as >>> this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really keen >>> to >>> do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be >>> pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems >>> for >>> the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility Plan >>> for >>> Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built as >>> an >>> interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting >>> to >>> buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were >>> "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was >>> of >>> course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! >>> >>> Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban >>> Transport >>> Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the centre of >>> mobility >>> planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be discouraged and >>> public >>> transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). >>> >>> It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of >>> sabotage. >>> >>> -- >>> Sujit Patwardhan >>> Parisar >>> Pune >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan >>> wrote: >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf >>> >>> >>> The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US >>> agency >>> and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. >>> Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies >>> suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of Footpath). >>> I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the >>> absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number of >>> accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can >>> reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average speed." >>> The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to >>> check. >>> >>> In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the >>> Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of these >>> recommendations have been adopted? >>> >>> Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing footpaths >>> because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for all >>> traffic problems. >>> >>> We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long term >>> strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted >>> metro >>> in the country. >>> >>> Kanthi Kannan >>> >>> The Right to Walk Foundation >>> >>> www.right2walk.com >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -------------------------------------------------------- >>> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >>> YAHOOGROUPS. >>> >>> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to >>> join >>> the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The yahoogroups >>> version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to the real >>> sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like you >>> can). >>> Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >>> >>> ================================================================ >>> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >>> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries >>> (the 'Global South'). >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>> Sujit Patwardhan >>> sujitjp@gmail.com >>> >>> "Yamuna", >>> ICS Colony, >>> Ganeshkhind Road, >>> Pune 411 007 >>> India >>> Tel: +91 20 25537955 >>> Cell: +91 98220 26627 >>> ----------------------------------------------------- >>> Hon. Secretary: >>> Parisar >>> www.parisar.org >>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>> Founder Member: >>> PTTF >>> (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) >>> www.pttf.net >>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Sudhir Gota >>> Transport Specialist >>> CAI-Asia Center >>> Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower, >>> ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City >>> Metro Manila, Philippines 1605 >>> Tel: +63-2-395-2843 >>> Fax: +63-2-395-2846 >>> http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia >>> Skype : sudhirgota >>> >>> >>> >>> ------------------------------ >>> >>> Message: 6 >>> Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:17:51 -0500 >>> From: Carlosfelipe Pardo >>> Subject: [sustran] Re: Right to Walk and Pollution in Hyd: Interesting >>> read >>> To: Sudhir >>> Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com, Global 'South' Sustainable >>> Transport >>> Message-ID: <48AD40CF.7050803@gmail.com> >>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed >>> >>> Hi, >>> >>> In reading Kanthi's email, it seems that the important issue were to >>> reduce congestion and emissions by increasing vehicle speeds... (!) From >>> my point of view, it's better to actually concentrate on reducing >>> demand, and in that way you won't need to segregate or to spend money on >>> infrastructure, plus you won't have to force pedestrians to walk even >>> more than they have to (detour factors for pedestrians in developing >>> cities are much higher than for any other mode). For instance, take 20 >>> car drivers and put them in one bus: you'll have freed up road space, >>> increased speeds and reduced pollution (per person, which is the >>> important individual). Plus you can still stop and wait for pedestrians >>> to cross without the need of a bridge. AND you will have spent less >>> money! >>> >>> My point is that thinking of speed and throughput as a solution to >>> congestion (and emissions) will not solve the problem, but rather worsen >>> it in the long run (induced travel generates more traffic, thus more >>> pollution, even at higher speeds). Thinking of speed per individual >>> vehicle is always a problem (as is thinking about vehicles). >>> >>> But the point from Sudhir regarding a possibly "evolution" towards >>> improvement (first flyovers, then pedestrian bridges, and in future even >>> better) is well taken. Above may be the vision of what we want, and >>> reality may take some time to adjust... but let's please always propose >>> the vision, and then adjust it to reality! >>> >>> These issues are better explained in some publications of GTZ SUTP: NMT >>> training document, Economic Instruments, Mobility Management. All are >>> available from www.sutp.org . >>> >>> Best regards, >>> >>> Carlosfelipe Pardo >>> Coordinador de Proyecto- Project Coordinator >>> GTZ - Proyecto de Transporte Sostenible (SUTP, SUTP-LAC) >>> Cl 93A # 14-17 of 708 >>> Bogot? D.C., Colombia >>> Tel/fax: +57 (1) 236 2309 Mobile: +57 (3)15 296 0662 >>> carlos.pardo@gtz.de www.gtz.de >>> (carlos.pardo@sutp.org www.sutp.org ) >>> >>> Sudhir wrote: >>> >>>> Dear all, >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Any argument which brings better pedestrian infrastructure is fine with >>>> me. :-) (capacity, congestion .. if it gets the results). >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> 1-2 decades back it was small isolated flyovers and now its elevated >>>> roads and in future...... >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> (I would dream of best pedestrian and cycle infrastructure integrated >>>> with >>>> eco-friendly mass transport systems implemented in cities :-))... >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Cheers >>>> >>>> Sudhir >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On 21/08/2008, Sujit Patwardhan wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>> * >>>>> in response to Kanthi Kannan's mail* >>>>> >>>>> I don't see much difference between short term measures and the long >>>>> term >>>>> ones. Basically whether in the short term or long we need:- >>>>> >>>>> -- radically improved adequate, efficient and affordable Public >>>>> Transport >>>>> -- safe, attractive and adequately wide pedestrian footpaths (not the >>>>> same >>>>> as Skywalks) >>>>> -- safe, comfortable (good surface) and citywide bicycle paths. These >>>>> need >>>>> not be exclusive or protected ones on all the streets, ie in congested >>>>> areas >>>>> sharing the street with motor vehicles should be possible provided >>>>> traffic >>>>> calming is introduced and rigidly enforced. City bike scheme like Velib >>>>> in >>>>> Paris after thorough planning >>>>> -- appropriate TDM measures to discourage use of personal auto vehicle >>>>> use >>>>> at least during peak hours - the usual options are tighter parking >>>>> control, >>>>> higher parking charges, congestion charging, auto vehicle-free areas, >>>>> pollution taxes etc >>>>> >>>>> One should avoid talking in terms of short term and long term >>>>> strategies >>>>> as >>>>> this gives too wide an option to an administration that isn't really >>>>> keen >>>>> to >>>>> do anything for sustainable transportation/new mobility but seems to be >>>>> pre-programmed to build more and more facilities to reduce the problems >>>>> for >>>>> the auto vehicles. As a concrete example the Comprehensive Mobility >>>>> Plan >>>>> for >>>>> Pune has a Trojan horse in form of a statement "flyovers may be built >>>>> as >>>>> an >>>>> interim measure in view of many more people with higher incomes wanting >>>>> to >>>>> buy cars". In one of the meetings we asked the consultants if they were >>>>> "interim" would they be demolished in a couple of years? The answer was >>>>> of >>>>> course a very uncomfortable smile (or a smirk)?? !!!!! >>>>> >>>>> Rest of the Mobility Plan talks the language of the National Urban >>>>> Transport Policy (which said "People not vehicles" will be at the >>>>> centre >>>>> of >>>>> mobility planning. It also said personal vehicles need to be >>>>> discouraged >>>>> and >>>>> public transport pedestrians and cyclists given a boost). >>>>> >>>>> It's time to stop our city bosses from getting away with this kind of >>>>> sabotage. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> Sujit Patwardhan >>>>> Parisar >>>>> Pune >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:37 AM, Kanthi Kannan >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>> http://www.epa.gov/ies/pdf/india/iesfinal_0405.pdf >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> The study in the link given above is a well documented effort by a US >>>>>> agency >>>>>> and an Indian agency about the various facets of pollution control. >>>>>> Throughout the Study one of the major pollution reduction strategies >>>>>> suggested is Separation of Vulnerable Road Users (Provision of >>>>>> Footpath). >>>>>> I quote: "The intermixing of vehicles and pedestrian movements in the >>>>>> absence of footpaths results in reduced speeds and increase in number >>>>>> of >>>>>> accidents. The provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings and can >>>>>> reduce these conflicts to a great extent and increase the average >>>>>> speed." >>>>>> The statistics given in support of the suggestion is interesting to >>>>>> check. >>>>>> >>>>>> In Hyderabad, the Right to Walk Foundation is trying to check with the >>>>>> Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as to whether any of >>>>>> these >>>>>> recommendations have been adopted? >>>>>> >>>>>> Needless to say that widened roads are replacing the existing >>>>>> footpaths >>>>>> because the authorities feel that widened roads are the solution for >>>>>> all >>>>>> traffic problems. >>>>>> >>>>>> We definitely need to take a few short term measures and a few long >>>>>> term >>>>>> strategies so that our city does not have the tag of the most polluted >>>>>> metro >>>>>> in the country. >>>>>> >>>>>> Kanthi Kannan >>>>>> >>>>>> The Right to Walk Foundation >>>>>> >>>>>> www.right2walk.com >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> -------------------------------------------------------- >>>>>> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >>>>>> YAHOOGROUPS. >>>>>> >>>>>> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss >>>>>> to >>>>>> join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The >>>>>> yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post >>>>>> to >>>>>> the >>>>>> real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like >>>>>> you >>>>>> can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >>>>>> >>>>>> ================================================================ >>>>>> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >>>>>> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing >>>>>> countries >>>>>> (the 'Global South'). >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>>>> Sujit Patwardhan >>>>> sujitjp@gmail.com >>>>> >>>>> "Yamuna", >>>>> ICS Colony, >>>>> Ganeshkhind Road, >>>>> Pune 411 007 >>>>> India >>>>> Tel: +91 20 25537955 >>>>> Cell: +91 98220 26627 >>>>> ----------------------------------------------------- >>>>> Hon. Secretary: >>>>> Parisar >>>>> www.parisar.org >>>>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>>>> Founder Member: >>>>> PTTF >>>>> (Pune Traffic & Transportation Forum) >>>>> www.pttf.net >>>>> ------------------------------------------------------ >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> ------------------------------ >>> >>> ================================================================ >>> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >>> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries >>> (the 'Global South'). >>> >>> End of Sustran-discuss Digest, Vol 60, Issue 15 >>> *********************************************** >>> >>> >> -------------------------------------------------------- >> IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via >> YAHOOGROUPS. >> >> Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to >> join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The >> yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post to >> the real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it seem like >> you can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. >> >> ================================================================ >> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries >> (the 'Global South'). >> >> > From edelman at greenidea.eu Sat Aug 23 19:44:56 2008 From: edelman at greenidea.eu (Todd Edelman, Green Idea Factory) Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2008 12:44:56 +0200 Subject: [sustran] Walking 100/Pedestrian Fundamentals - Unlearning unnecessary mobility Message-ID: <48AFEA28.9010606@greenidea.eu> In my first photography course at university, the first lesson involved going around blindfolded, taking shots mostly randomly but also based on sounds, any light which came through the blindfold, smells, etc. The goal was to unlearn what we thought a photo had to look like and how it should be framed. Similarly - and in reference to recent discussions on these fora about throughput as a main goal and bad pedestrian access (!) to bus stations - I would love it if all new transport and urban planning students had to spend the first semester only designing for walking, i.e. with walking as the only mobility solution they can use. Then once they learn or master the basics , i.e. THE basic, they can... move on to cycling, motorised PT, etc. Rectors, deans and department heads, are you listening? -- -------------------------------------------- Todd Edelman(n) Green Idea Factory Urbanstr. 45 D-10967 Berlin Germany Skype: toddedelman German mobile: ++49 0162 814 4081 Czech mobile: ++420 605 915 970 edelman@greenidea.eu www.greenidea.eu www.flickr.com/photos/edelman Green Idea Factory is a member of World Carfree Network www.worldcarfree.net CAR is over. If you WANT it. From edelman at greenidea.eu Sat Aug 23 19:44:56 2008 From: edelman at greenidea.eu (Todd Edelman, Green Idea Factory) Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2008 12:44:56 +0200 Subject: [sustran] [NewMobilityCafe] Walking 100/Pedestrian Fundamentals - Unlearning unnecessary mobility Message-ID: <48AFEA28.9010606@greenidea.eu> In my first photography course at university, the first lesson involved going around blindfolded, taking shots mostly randomly but also based on sounds, any light which came through the blindfold, smells, etc. The goal was to unlearn what we thought a photo had to look like and how it should be framed. Similarly - and in reference to recent discussions on these fora about throughput as a main goal and bad pedestrian access (!) to bus stations - I would love it if all new transport and urban planning students had to spend the first semester only designing for walking, i.e. with walking as the only mobility solution they can use. Then once they learn or master the basics , i.e. THE basic, they can... move on to cycling, motorised PT, etc. Rectors, deans and department heads, are you listening? -- -------------------------------------------- Todd Edelman(n) Green Idea Factory Urbanstr. 45 D-10967 Berlin Germany Skype: toddedelman German mobile: ++49 0162 814 4081 Czech mobile: ++420 605 915 970 edelman@greenidea.eu www.greenidea.eu www.flickr.com/photos/edelman Green Idea Factory is a member of World Carfree Network www.worldcarfree.net CAR is over. If you WANT it. From hghazali at gmail.com Mon Aug 25 13:02:22 2008 From: hghazali at gmail.com (H Ghazali) Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:02:22 +0500 Subject: [sustran] Comparative analysis of buses Message-ID: Friends, I am trying to put together a comparative analysis on the costs and benefits of buses in order to provide more informed policy options to the government. Is there any available information out there on the difference in social, economic and environmental costs and benefits of a diesel bus, a CNG bus, and an electric bus? I would especially appreciate it if someone from Kathmandu, Nepal could comment on the electric buses running there? Best regards, Hassaan Ghazali -- Institutional Development Specialist Urban Sector Policy and Management Unit (The Urban Unit) Planning & Development Department, Government of the Punjab A: 4-B Lytton Road, Lahore, Pakistan T: 9213579-84 (Ext.116) F: 9213585 M: 0345 455 6016 Skype: halgazel http://hghazali.googlepages.com *When conditions are right, everything will go wrong* From litman at vtpi.org Mon Aug 25 13:30:05 2008 From: litman at vtpi.org (Todd Alexander Litman) Date: Sun, 24 Aug 2008 21:30:05 -0700 Subject: [sustran] Re: Comparative analysis of buses In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <6.2.3.4.2.20080824211828.07c17578@mail.islandnet.com> See, "Evaluating Public Transit Benefits and Costs" (http://www.vtpi.org/tranben.pdf ) and "Rail Transit In America: Comprehensive Evaluation of Benefits (http://www.vtpi.org/railben.pdf ), which discuss various factors to consider when evaluating and comparing public transit services. Public transit provides basic mobility for non-drivers, and to the degree that it substitutes for automobile travel, it also reduces traffic congestion, parking facility costs, consumer costs, accidents, energy consumption, pollution emissions and sprawl, all benefits that should be considered in your analysis. In addition, since public transit travel is concentrated in dense urban areas where congestion, pollution and parking costs tend to be particularly intense, and each transit vehicle is driven high annual kilometers, reductions in their external costs (air and noise pollution, accident risk, etc.) can provide relatively large benefits. For example, shifting from current diesel buses to cleaner diesel or alternative fuels such as CNG, may be one of the most cost effective ways of reducing urban air pollution. Similarly, creating urban busways and HOV facilities (http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm19.htm ) may be one of the most cost effective ways of improving urban transportation because it prevents buses from being stuck in traffic congestion, improving their performace, reducing their emissions per vehicle-kilometer, and making public transit more attractive to people who would otherwise drive. Best wishes, -Todd Litman At 09:02 PM 24/08/2008, H Ghazali wrote: >Friends, > >I am trying to put together a comparative analysis on the costs and >benefits of buses in order to provide more informed policy options to >the government. Is there any available information out there on the >difference in social, economic and environmental costs and benefits of >a diesel bus, a CNG bus, and an electric bus? > >I would especially appreciate it if someone from Kathmandu, Nepal >could comment on the electric buses running there? > >Best regards, > >Hassaan Ghazali > >-- >Institutional Development Specialist >Urban Sector Policy and Management Unit (The Urban Unit) >Planning & Development Department, >Government of the Punjab > >A: 4-B Lytton Road, Lahore, Pakistan >T: 9213579-84 (Ext.116) >F: 9213585 >M: 0345 455 6016 >Skype: halgazel >http://hghazali.googlepages.com > >*When conditions are right, everything will go wrong* >-------------------------------------------------------- >IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who gets sustran-discuss messages via YAHOOGROUPS. > >Please go to http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss >to join the real sustran-discuss and get full membership rights. The >yahoogroups version is only a mirror and 'members' there cannot post >to the real sustran-discuss (even if the yahoogroups site makes it >seem like you can). Apologies for the confusing arrangement. > >================================================================ >SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, >equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing >countries (the 'Global South'). From edelman at greenidea.eu Mon Aug 25 17:47:30 2008 From: edelman at greenidea.eu (Todd Edelman, Green Idea Factory) Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:47:30 +0200 Subject: [sustran] Re: Comparative analysis of buses In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <48B271A2.3040404@greenidea.eu> Hi Hassaan, There are more variants to buses than these three types - and I am not just talking about impossibly expensive variants. If you would like some more info on this write me off list. Regards, T H Ghazali wrote: > Friends, > > I am trying to put together a comparative analysis on the costs and > benefits of buses in order to provide more informed policy options to > the government. Is there any available information out there on the > difference in social, economic and environmental costs and benefits of > a diesel bus, a CNG bus, and an electric bus? > > I would especially appreciate it if someone from Kathmandu, Nepal > could comment on the electric buses running there? > > Best regards, > > Hassaan Ghazali > > -- -------------------------------------------- Todd Edelman Gesch?ftsf?hrer Green Idea Factory Urbanstr. 45 D-10967 Berlin Germany Skype: toddedelman German mobile: ++49 0162 814 4081 Czech mobile: ++420 605 915 970 edelman@greenidea.eu http://www.greenidea.eu www.flickr.com/photos/edelman Green Idea Factory is a member of World Carfree Network www.worldcarfree.net CAR is over. If you WANT it. From eric.britton at ecoplan.org Tue Aug 26 01:41:30 2008 From: eric.britton at ecoplan.org (Eric Britton) Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:41:30 +0200 Subject: [sustran] Transport Canada Project on ST Practices Message-ID: <020201c906d1$71101260$53303720$@britton@ecoplan.org> Thanks to Chris Bradshaw for the heads-up. Eric, This Ottawa-based consultant is doing a project for Transport Canada that may be of interest to you. It focuses on sustainable-transportation "best practices" evaluations. I know him fairly well. He has recently retired from the Geography Dept at the U. of Ottawa, and did a project for the City of Ottawa in the last ten years: the Walking Security Index. Chris Bradshaw ----- Original Message ----- From: "Barry Wellar" To: Sent: Monday, August 18, 2008 11:24 Subject: Transport Canada Project on ST Practices > > > Hello to All, > > Deliberations with Transport Canada regarding "Methodologies for > Identifying > and Ranking Sustainable Transport Practices in Urban Regions" are > finalized, > and the project is now a go. > > A Project Synopsis has been prepared as an element of the outreach part of > the project, and it has been posted at > http://www.wellar.ca/wellarconsulting/TCProjectSynopsis.pdf > > You are welcome to use the Synopsis for courses, article referencing, or > other purposes consistent with the objectives of the project, and I hope > that there will be an opportunity for you to contribute to the study > findings as one of the experts with whom I will be in contact. > > Best. > > Barry Wellar > > Barry Wellar, PhD, MCIP > Principal > Wellar Consulting Inc. > 890 Ridley Blvd. > Ottawa, ON K2A 3P5 From eric.britton at ecoplan.org Tue Aug 26 01:41:30 2008 From: eric.britton at ecoplan.org (Eric Britton) Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:41:30 +0200 Subject: [sustran] [NewMobilityCafe] Transport Canada Project on ST Practices Message-ID: <020201c906d1$71101260$53303720$@britton@ecoplan.org> Thanks to Chris Bradshaw for the heads-up. Eric, This Ottawa-based consultant is doing a project for Transport Canada that may be of interest to you. It focuses on sustainable-transportation "best practices" evaluations. I know him fairly well. He has recently retired from the Geography Dept at the U. of Ottawa, and did a project for the City of Ottawa in the last ten years: the Walking Security Index. Chris Bradshaw ----- Original Message ----- From: "Barry Wellar" To: Sent: Monday, August 18, 2008 11:24 Subject: Transport Canada Project on ST Practices > > > Hello to All, > > Deliberations with Transport Canada regarding "Methodologies for > Identifying > and Ranking Sustainable Transport Practices in Urban Regions" are > finalized, > and the project is now a go. > > A Project Synopsis has been prepared as an element of the outreach part of > the project, and it has been posted at > http://www.wellar.ca/wellarconsulting/TCProjectSynopsis.pdf > > You are welcome to use the Synopsis for courses, article referencing, or > other purposes consistent with the objectives of the project, and I hope > that there will be an opportunity for you to contribute to the study > findings as one of the experts with whom I will be in contact. > > Best. > > Barry Wellar > > Barry Wellar, PhD, MCIP > Principal > Wellar Consulting Inc. > 890 Ridley Blvd. > Ottawa, ON K2A 3P5 From hghazali at gmail.com Tue Aug 26 12:41:34 2008 From: hghazali at gmail.com (H Ghazali) Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:41:34 +0500 Subject: [sustran] Invite for public transport consultations Message-ID: * Apologies for cross-postings Please find notice attached for public transport consutations. Regards, Hassaan Ghazali -- Institutional Development Specialist Urban Sector Policy and Management Unit (The Urban Unit) Planning & Development Department, Government of the Punjab A: 4-B Lytton Road, Lahore, Pakistan T: 9213579-84 (Ext.116) F: 9213585 M: 0345 455 6016 Skype: halgazel http://hghazali.googlepages.com *When conditions are right, everything will go wrong* From hghazali at gmail.com Tue Aug 26 13:28:42 2008 From: hghazali at gmail.com (H Ghazali) Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:28:42 +0500 Subject: [sustran] Notice for Public Transport Consultations Message-ID: Greetings from Lahore! The link below will take you to a notice for public transport consultations which are being conducted by the Government of the Punjab. http://www.urbanunit.gov.pk/advertisements/a_npcptcAug08.jpg Regards, Hassaan -- Institutional Development Specialist Urban Sector Policy and Management Unit (The Urban Unit) Planning & Development Department, Government of the Punjab A: 4-B Lytton Road, Lahore, Pakistan T: 9213579-84 (Ext.116) F: 9213585 M: 0345 455 6016 Skype: halgazel http://hghazali.googlepages.com *When conditions are right, everything will go wrong* From eric.britton at ecoplan.org Thu Aug 28 00:39:07 2008 From: eric.britton at ecoplan.org (Eric Britton) Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:39:07 +0200 Subject: [sustran] Re: [NewMobilityCafe] The future of "xTransit" In-Reply-To: <20080827010013.RGVH2301.nschwotgx01p.mx.bigpond.com@yit01.yeatesit.biz> References: <1219712302.66.28745.w106@yahoogroups.com> <011e01c90781$fa42d7b0$eec88710$@britton@ecoplan.org> <20080827010013.RGVH2301.nschwotgx01p.mx.bigpond.com@yit01.yeatesit.biz> Message-ID: <008601c9085b$1243d010$36cb7030$@britton@ecoplan.org> Those are excellent cautionary remarks Michael. You ask why we say "Better, Faster, Cheaper." Let me see if I can respond usefully. Well the starting point is that our present mainly car-based arrangements in cities are our target. SO what we are looking for is . . 1. Better. We seem to have no problem with that one. 2. Faster: Faster than getting stuck in traffic (bikes, buses and metros are faster than cars in Paris today for many parts of the day, and we are not the only ones). And faster to plan and bring on line than all those high cost old technology approaches. (NB. It can be faster (trip time) and slowth (time speeds) at the same time, let's not forget.) 3. Cheaper: Cheaper for the citizen to get around in the city. Cheaper for the city than those very high cost old mobility technology ( invariably poorly adapted to the travel requirements of the 21st century) approaches Again, just to recall the New Mobility strategy in its basic points: 1. Reduce VM/KT radically. 2. And do it fast: (In months or a couple of years max. We cannot for all the reasons you all know continue to wait. And wait) 3. Improve and extend the 'bouquet" of new mobility services: We know that a whole range of new service types are needed, that they need to be complements, and that they need to offer better, faster and cheaper (sorry!) transportation than the old car-intensive arrangements. 4. Make use of the "infrastructure joker": The transportation infrastructures of our cities have for the most part been vastly overbuilt. That just great, since it means that we can take over substantial portions of the network for far more efficient modes. 5. Paying for it: No problem. We simply take over 50% of the transport related budgets and use it to address to projects and reforms that are going to make big differences with the next four to five (max.) years. 6. Partnerships: This approach, because it is new and unfamiliar to most people, is unlike to be understood the first times around. .Hence a major education, , consultation and outreach efforts is going to be needed in each place to make it work. Old mobility was the terrain in which decisions were made by transportation experts. New mobility is based on outreach and harnessing the great strengths of the informed and educated populations of our cities. Public/private/citizen partnerships. My point is that to move ahead with any of this in time to save the planet and the life quality of the majority of the people who live in cities (no, they are not happy car owner-drivers, get out there and count them) we need to have a unified, coherent, and memorable strategy. The entire work and purpose of the New Mobility Agenda is given over to trying to assist in just this important task. Eric Britton ____________________________ Eric Britton New Mobility Partnerships 8, rue Joseph Bara - 75006 Paris France T: 331 4326 1323 - www.newmobility.org On Behalf Of Michael Yeates Sent: Wednesday, 27 August 2008 03:00 To: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com Subject: [NewMobilityCafe] The future of "xTransit" Eric and all, I suggest "we" should be extremely wary of anything "new" that also aims to be "faster" see (c) below, now in red. Several reasons ... here are three and no doubt there are heaps of others.... 1. the travel-distance-time problem if faster generates longer trips etc etc 2. "faster" ... or faster than ...? 3. faster usually results in negative outcomes, often very difficult to predict, and even more difficult to prevent (cars in urban areas being an example) There is a similar problem with "cheaper" in that it is actually far more expensive to use a car than to use public transport now .. so how much more cheap ...??? But others say public transport per capita carried is far more expensive. And do we agree on what "costs" and "benefits" should be costed and how to handle the assignment of cost value(s)? On the other hand, "better" does not have this type of problem yet still permits trade-offs ...! So should "faster" and "cheaper" simply be deleted? Further, surely there are some existing "modes" that at least begin to illustrate "xTransit" or what it is ...? Perhaps some of these examples should be collected and explained. Finally, is the problem really about creating something that is competitive with car use such that it is then assumed car use will be or can be, reduced? The risk here is that the car is apparently so enticing and advantageous that perhaps it is unwise to emphasise this, implicitly or explicitly. This seems to leave us in the same bind as those who argue public transport is not good enough because it involves say a walk of 200m ... or those who don't want to cycle to a major public transport node 1km away ... so they still choose to use a car ...! There also seems to be a multi-modal aspect missing from the concept??? It is from this perspective that I personally see improving the existing options to cars as far "better" than trying to create new modes .. MY..................... From eric.britton at ecoplan.org Thu Aug 28 00:39:07 2008 From: eric.britton at ecoplan.org (Eric Britton) Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:39:07 +0200 Subject: [sustran] Re: [NewMobilityCafe] The future of "xTransit" In-Reply-To: <20080827010013.RGVH2301.nschwotgx01p.mx.bigpond.com@yit01.yeatesit.biz> References: <1219712302.66.28745.w106@yahoogroups.com> <011e01c90781$fa42d7b0$eec88710$@britton@ecoplan.org> <20080827010013.RGVH2301.nschwotgx01p.mx.bigpond.com@yit01.yeatesit.biz> Message-ID: <008601c9085b$1243d010$36cb7030$@britton@ecoplan.org> Those are excellent cautionary remarks Michael. You ask why we say "Better, Faster, Cheaper." Let me see if I can respond usefully. Well the starting point is that our present mainly car-based arrangements in cities are our target. SO what we are looking for is . . 1. Better. We seem to have no problem with that one. 2. Faster: Faster than getting stuck in traffic (bikes, buses and metros are faster than cars in Paris today for many parts of the day, and we are not the only ones). And faster to plan and bring on line than all those high cost old technology approaches. (NB. It can be faster (trip time) and slowth (time speeds) at the same time, let's not forget.) 3. Cheaper: Cheaper for the citizen to get around in the city. Cheaper for the city than those very high cost old mobility technology ( invariably poorly adapted to the travel requirements of the 21st century) approaches Again, just to recall the New Mobility strategy in its basic points: 1. Reduce VM/KT radically. 2. And do it fast: (In months or a couple of years max. We cannot for all the reasons you all know continue to wait. And wait) 3. Improve and extend the 'bouquet" of new mobility services: We know that a whole range of new service types are needed, that they need to be complements, and that they need to offer better, faster and cheaper (sorry!) transportation than the old car-intensive arrangements. 4. Make use of the "infrastructure joker": The transportation infrastructures of our cities have for the most part been vastly overbuilt. That just great, since it means that we can take over substantial portions of the network for far more efficient modes. 5. Paying for it: No problem. We simply take over 50% of the transport related budgets and use it to address to projects and reforms that are going to make big differences with the next four to five (max.) years. 6. Partnerships: This approach, because it is new and unfamiliar to most people, is unlike to be understood the first times around. .Hence a major education, , consultation and outreach efforts is going to be needed in each place to make it work. Old mobility was the terrain in which decisions were made by transportation experts. New mobility is based on outreach and harnessing the great strengths of the informed and educated populations of our cities. Public/private/citizen partnerships. My point is that to move ahead with any of this in time to save the planet and the life quality of the majority of the people who live in cities (no, they are not happy car owner-drivers, get out there and count them) we need to have a unified, coherent, and memorable strategy. The entire work and purpose of the New Mobility Agenda is given over to trying to assist in just this important task. Eric Britton ____________________________ Eric Britton New Mobility Partnerships 8, rue Joseph Bara - 75006 Paris France T: 331 4326 1323 - www.newmobility.org On Behalf Of Michael Yeates Sent: Wednesday, 27 August 2008 03:00 To: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com Cc: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com Subject: [NewMobilityCafe] The future of "xTransit" Eric and all, I suggest "we" should be extremely wary of anything "new" that also aims to be "faster" see (c) below, now in red. Several reasons ... here are three and no doubt there are heaps of others.... 1. the travel-distance-time problem if faster generates longer trips etc etc 2. "faster" ... or faster than ...? 3. faster usually results in negative outcomes, often very difficult to predict, and even more difficult to prevent (cars in urban areas being an example) There is a similar problem with "cheaper" in that it is actually far more expensive to use a car than to use public transport now .. so how much more cheap ...??? But others say public transport per capita carried is far more expensive. And do we agree on what "costs" and "benefits" should be costed and how to handle the assignment of cost value(s)? On the other hand, "better" does not have this type of problem yet still permits trade-offs ...! So should "faster" and "cheaper" simply be deleted? Further, surely there are some existing "modes" that at least begin to illustrate "xTransit" or what it is ...? Perhaps some of these examples should be collected and explained. Finally, is the problem really about creating something that is competitive with car use such that it is then assumed car use will be or can be, reduced? The risk here is that the car is apparently so enticing and advantageous that perhaps it is unwise to emphasise this, implicitly or explicitly. This seems to leave us in the same bind as those who argue public transport is not good enough because it involves say a walk of 200m ... or those who don't want to cycle to a major public transport node 1km away ... so they still choose to use a car ...! There also seems to be a multi-modal aspect missing from the concept??? It is from this perspective that I personally see improving the existing options to cars as far "better" than trying to create new modes .. MY..................... From eric.britton at ecoplan.org Thu Aug 28 18:16:04 2008 From: eric.britton at ecoplan.org (Eric Britton) Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:16:04 +0200 Subject: [sustran] Transaid and a Way Forward for Transport Research in Africa Message-ID: <003e01c908ee$b5562490$20026db0$@britton@ecoplan.org> This mail represents a ?call to arms?? for transport researchers interested in making an impact on the lives of those in the developing world. Transaid is an international development charity which seeks to reduce poverty and improve quality of life through providing better access to basic services such as health, education and economic opportunities in Africa and other parts of the developing world. By working with the UK transport and logistics industry Transaid builds local skills and knowledge to make transport safer, cheaper and more effective. Transaid seeks a world where transport contributes fully to a better quality of life in Africa and other developing countries. Our works focuses on 3 specific areas; firstly the implementation of transport management systems within public sector organizations such as Ministries of Health to help reduce transport costs and increase the efficiency of service delivery fleets. Secondly we work on issues associated with commercial driver training standards ??? specifically we help national Road Safety agencies develop national driver training standards throughout Africa whilst also working to build the capacity of driver training facilities at the grass roots level. Thirdly Transaid has a focus on providing access to healthcare through the logistical support which we give to existing health projects and through the development of health transport solutions such as bicycle and motorcycle ambulances for rural populations. Transaid often conducts monitoring and evaluation activities following its projects to analyse the impact of the interventions taken. However, we currently need a concerted research effort to help prove the efficacy of our work, to provide insight as to ways in which we could improve our future interventions and to provide a foundation for advocacy with international organizations such as the World Bank, Gates Foundation and US Agency for International Development (USAID). Transaid is calling out to researchers who have a keen interest in transport as a development issue, who would be willing to conduct research overseas in either West or Sothern Africa, and who would be able to assist in fund raising activities to support a programme of research. If you are interested in providing assistance to Transaid please contact Gary Forster, Transaid???s Head of Programme Development at Eric, I am somewhat wary of a few of your points and implications below. Fast Implementation Time - Yes, we should be worried about implementation time and we also need to act decisively to confront numerous problems that are aggravated or caused by our auto-dependant, petroleum based economy. However, the sky is not falling and the world is not going to end tomorrow. We shouldn't kid ourselves about the timeframe needed to transition to a much more sustainable transport system - 20 - 30 years at best. Progressively minded transport professionals (engineers, planners, economists, etc.) are asking for some pretty big changes from society. I think we have a professional duty to offer solutions that are thoroughly thought out and tested. There is certainly room for brainstorming and brave new ideas, but those must be tempered by realism before being put forth as "the answer." The problems that the transport and urban planning professions face in the next generation are big enough that they warrant taking the time to get them right. It seems that your reference to "high cost old mobility technology" is an oblique dig at fixed route transit systems, particularly rail transit. I find the epithet "old" to be unhelpful in the discussion of how to tackle mobility problems. The original age of a technology has no bearing on its usefulness or relevance. The alphabet is thousands of years old yet has never been more prolific as a technology. It is continually augmented and improved by new technological advances, just as is rail transit. In the 1970 both para-transit and light rail were new, promising technologies for solving transport problems. The bold promises of the former were largely unmet, while the latter has had a 30+ year track record of providing sustainable mobility while also encouraging the types of land uses that reduce auto use and encourage non-motorized modes. Both para-transit and rail transit will be enhanced in the coming decade by the application of advanced IT and other technologies. But lets not throw out what we know to work reasonably well in our excitement for a possible "nirvana" solution. A sustainable transport system in the future will likely be a combination of transit (rail and rubber-tired), para-transit, non-motorized modes, and even measured auto use. Christopher M. Puchalsky, Ph.D. Senior Transportation Engineer Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission 190 N. Independence Mall West Philadelphia, PA 19106-1520 P: 215.238.2949 F: 215.592.9125 Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:39:07 +0200 From: "Eric Britton" Subject: [sustran] Re: [NewMobilityCafe] The future of "xTransit" To: , Cc: WorldTransport@yahoogroups.com, 'Michael Yeates' Message-ID: <008601c9085b$1243d010$36cb7030$@britton@ecoplan.org> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Those are excellent cautionary remarks Michael. You ask why we say "Better, Faster, Cheaper." Let me see if I can respond usefully. Well the starting point is that our present mainly car-based arrangements in cities are our target. SO what we are looking for is . . 1. Better. We seem to have no problem with that one. 2. Faster: Faster than getting stuck in traffic (bikes, buses and metros are faster than cars in Paris today for many parts of the day, and we are not the only ones). And faster to plan and bring on line than all those high cost old technology approaches. (NB. It can be faster (trip time) and slowth (time speeds) at the same time, let's not forget.) 3. Cheaper: Cheaper for the citizen to get around in the city. Cheaper for the city than those very high cost old mobility technology ( invariably poorly adapted to the travel requirements of the 21st century) approaches Again, just to recall the New Mobility strategy in its basic points: 1. Reduce VM/KT radically. 2. And do it fast: (In months or a couple of years max. We cannot for all the reasons you all know continue to wait. And wait) 3. Improve and extend the 'bouquet" of new mobility services: We know that a whole range of new service types are needed, that they need to be complements, and that they need to offer better, faster and cheaper (sorry!) transportation than the old car-intensive arrangements. 4. Make use of the "infrastructure joker": The transportation infrastructures of our cities have for the most part been vastly overbuilt. That just great, since it means that we can take over substantial portions of the network for far more efficient modes. 5. Paying for it: No problem. We simply take over 50% of the transport related budgets and use it to address to projects and reforms that are going to make big differences with the next four to five (max.) years. 6. Partnerships: This approach, because it is new and unfamiliar to most people, is unlike to be understood the first times around. .Hence a major education, , consultation and outreach efforts is going to be needed in each place to make it work. Old mobility was the terrain in which decisions were made by transportation experts. New mobility is based on outreach and harnessing the great strengths of the informed and educated populations of our cities. Public/private/citizen partnerships. My point is that to move ahead with any of this in time to save the planet and the life quality of the majority of the people who live in cities (no, they are not happy car owner-drivers, get out there and count them) we need to have a unified, coherent, and memorable strategy. The entire work and purpose of the New Mobility Agenda is given over to trying to assist in just this important task. Eric Britton From litman at vtpi.org Thu Aug 28 23:06:29 2008 From: litman at vtpi.org (Todd Alexander Litman) Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:06:29 -0700 Subject: [sustran] =?iso-8859-1?Q?Energy_Policy_=96_VTPI_Special_Newslette?= =?iso-8859-1?Q?r?= Message-ID: <6.2.3.4.2.20080828070620.0944f140@mail.islandnet.com> Here is information on timely new energy policy reports: "Managing Transport Challenges When Oil Prices Rise" (http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/research/reports/357.pdf ), by McCormick Rankin Cagney, et al, for the New Zealand Transport Agency. Newspaper articles summarizing this study are available at http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominionpost/4664442a6000.html and http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10528808 . This report provides practical guidance to central, regional, and local government agencies on how to manage the transport challenges associated with rising oil prices. It provides detailed information on: ? Future Transport Fuel Price ? Various forecasts are combined to model future transport fuel prices. This suggests that average oil prices will staying around $110 USD/barrel in the near future, but will increase to approximately $150 USD/barrel in 2012. ? Future Travel Demands - Models are used to predict future travel demands, taking into account fuel prices, economic growth, vehicle ownership, workforce participation, and disposable income. Under the average fuel price scenario total New Zealand vehicle travel declines below current levels until approximately 2016, after which the combined effects of population and economic growth will cause vehicle travel to increase. ? Optimal Responses to High Oil Costs ? Various responses are identified and evaluated in terms of their ability to reduce economic risks and help achieve other planning objectives. The recommended strategies result in a more efficient and diverse transport system, providing various economic, social and environmental benefits. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Addressing Climate Change Without Impairing the U.S. Economy: The Economics and Environmental Science of Combining a Carbon-Based Tax and Tax Relief" (http://www.climatetaskforce.org/pdf/CTF_CarbonTax_Earth_Spgs.pdf ), by Robert Shapiro, Nam Pham and Arun Malik for The U.S. Climate Task Force. This study used the U.S. Department of Energy?s National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) to evaluate the economic impacts of a Carbon Tax (http://www.vtpi.org/carbontax.pdf ) that begins at $14 per ton of CO2 equivalent and increases to $50 per ton, with 90% of the revenues returned to households and businesses in tax relief and the remaining 10% of revenues used to support energy and climate-related research and development, and new technology deployment. They conclude that the U.S. can reduce climate change emissions by 30% and would only reduce 2010-to-2030 GDP growth from 33.6% to 33.4%. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Is The U.S. On The Path To The Lowest Motor Vehicle Fatalities In Decades?" (http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/60424/1/100969.pdf ), by Michael Sivak for the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. This study found that a 2.7% decline in vehicle travel caused by fuel price increases and a weak economy during 2007-08 resulted in much larger 17.9% to 22.1% month-to-month declines in traffic deaths, probably due to disproportionate reductions in vehicle travel by lower income drivers (who tend to be young and old, and therefore higher than average risk), and speed reductions to save fuel. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Carbon Taxes: Tax What You Burn, Not What You Earn" (http://www.vtpi.org/carbontax.pdf ), by Todd Litman. This paper describes carbon taxes in general and the British Columbia in particular. It answers common questions and evaluates criticisms of the tax. A separate paper, "Improving BC?s Carbon Tax: Changes and Enhancements To Increase Effectiveness and Equity" (http://www.vtpi.org/carbontax_improvement.pdf ) describes ways to address some of these criticisms. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We recently updated our reports, "Appropriate Response To Rising Fuel Prices" (www.vtpi.org/fuelprice.pdf ) and "Smart Emission Reduction Strategies" (www.vtpi.org/ster.pdf ) which discuss various factors to consider when evaluating transportation energy policies. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Please let us know if you have comments or questions about our resources, or if you would like to be removed from our email list. And please pass this information on to others who may find it useful. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sincerely, Todd Alexander Litman Victoria Transport Policy Institute (www.vtpi.org) litman@vtpi.org Phone & Fax 250-360-1560 1250 Rudlin Street, Victoria, BC, V8V 3R7, CANADA ?Efficiency - Equity - Clarity? From c_bradshaw at rogers.com Thu Aug 28 23:40:55 2008 From: c_bradshaw at rogers.com (Chris Bradshaw) Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:40:55 -0400 Subject: [sustran] Re: [NewMobilityCafe] The future of "xTransit" References: <986424.33214.qm@web57007.mail.re3.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <03de01c9091c$1b777e40$0202a8c0@acer56fb35423d> Eric, Where has this stuff on x-transit been for these past years!? I went to its site and found a treasure-trove of goodies, albeit about something once called 'paratransit,' a term used here for the parallel transit system for the disabled. Starting with the Kirby, Bhatt, et. al 1973 paper -- and the chart that is worth 10,000 words and has been circulating in carsharing circles for some time -- and ending with Gifford's _Flexible Urban Transportation_ (2003), it is a wealth of a thread of thinking and doing that is in need of rejuvenation. (I am heading out to get the Ottawa U. library copy in a minute). Even though I was not aware of this stuff before now, I have been working the last two years -- yes, in parallel -- on my second-generation carsharing idea, MASC (metered access to shared cars). Your material, interestingly, in listing the same modes for 'partnership' with traditional transit, mentions carsharing, but with '???', recognizing its single-user modus operendi. But that will not be the main characteristic with MASC, which makes use of telematics to allow seat-sharing and one-way trips (and no need for provide parking at destinations for any length of time). You even come up with a good analysis of all the groups that our one-car, one-person orienation (OPOCO) disenfranchises, which I more succinctly call 'PED-CIVs': poor, elderly, disabled, children, ill/infirm; and visitors (your recognition of those who don't _want_ to drive, I call 'symplicists,' for the trailing lower-case 's'). In my research for an upcoming presentation to the T2M (History of Transportation, Traffic, & Mobility) conference here in Ottawa next month, I came across two other people working, apparently equally independently, on a parallel ideas: Daniel Sperling in his _Future Drive_ (1995) about the potential for neighbourhood electric cars, and John Adams' essay, "Alternative Policies for Reducing Dependancy on the Car" (in Tolley, Rodney 1997, _The Greening of Urban Transportation_ 2nd ed.) on "street fleets." What I am offering all three is my questioning, not so much the car, as the dominant form of access. The idea of using smaller buses for xTransit is doomed by the idea that they still have to be signicantly larger than cars and therefore driven by transit staff. That is still very expensive (both the drivers and the insurance) for transit. And it is expensive for all the users who still need their own car and store it somewhere. My regimes says that cars are used all day long, but with multiple passengers at peak hours, and for 'personal' uses at other times. The technology for xTransit is being installed on shared cars as a matter of course, thanks to the owners' needs to know where their cars are. Using text messaging and web surfing on cell phones, rides can be summoned from anyone anywhere. The decision of a person needing transportation over a distance longer than what walking and cycling (and why not have shared fleets of bikes, too?), could result in the choice between a car or a seat in one going the same way. Or even allowing the 'hailing' we do for taxis, something similar to hitchhiking, but with the technology (electronic IDs, 'talking to the on-board access telematics) removing the insecurity of strangers sharing a car. The argument that smaller transit vehicles can offer smaller affinities and therefore quicker and more direct service, goes double for vehicles with 5-8 passengers. And if the users themselves are doing the driving, costs go way down. And we end up with transit that overtakes the rationale for the privately-owned car in cities, removing the need for users to have their _own_ car. This discovery has inspired my word-smithing to come up with a new creation: "Feet and Fleet-Seat" as how personal transportation should work in cities. Either the trip is short enough to be completed with a walk, or you get an electronic ride in a fleet vehicle which requires walking to a main road (non-main roads should be for bikes and electric carts that double as cargo-carriers). Thanks, Eric. From hearth at ties.ottawa.on.ca Thu Aug 28 23:40:55 2008 From: hearth at ties.ottawa.on.ca (Chris Bradshaw) Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:40:55 -0400 Subject: [sustran] Re: [NewMobilityCafe] The future of "xTransit" References: <986424.33214.qm@web57007.mail.re3.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <03de01c9091c$1b777e40$0202a8c0@acer56fb35423d> Eric, Where has this stuff on x-transit been for these past years!? I went to its site and found a treasure-trove of goodies, albeit about something once called 'paratransit,' a term used here for the parallel transit system for the disabled. Starting with the Kirby, Bhatt, et. al 1973 paper -- and the chart that is worth 10,000 words and has been circulating in carsharing circles for some time -- and ending with Gifford's _Flexible Urban Transportation_ (2003), it is a wealth of a thread of thinking and doing that is in need of rejuvenation. (I am heading out to get the Ottawa U. library copy in a minute). Even though I was not aware of this stuff before now, I have been working the last two years -- yes, in parallel -- on my second-generation carsharing idea, MASC (metered access to shared cars). Your material, interestingly, in listing the same modes for 'partnership' with traditional transit, mentions carsharing, but with '???', recognizing its single-user modus operendi. But that will not be the main characteristic with MASC, which makes use of telematics to allow seat-sharing and one-way trips (and no need for provide parking at destinations for any length of time). You even come up with a good analysis of all the groups that our one-car, one-person orienation (OPOCO) disenfranchises, which I more succinctly call 'PED-CIVs': poor, elderly, disabled, children, ill/infirm; and visitors (your recognition of those who don't _want_ to drive, I call 'symplicists,' for the trailing lower-case 's'). In my research for an upcoming presentation to the T2M (History of Transportation, Traffic, & Mobility) conference here in Ottawa next month, I came across two other people working, apparently equally independently, on a parallel ideas: Daniel Sperling in his _Future Drive_ (1995) about the potential for neighbourhood electric cars, and John Adams' essay, "Alternative Policies for Reducing Dependancy on the Car" (in Tolley, Rodney 1997, _The Greening of Urban Transportation_ 2nd ed.) on "street fleets." What I am offering all three is my questioning, not so much the car, as the dominant form of access. The idea of using smaller buses for xTransit is doomed by the idea that they still have to be signicantly larger than cars and therefore driven by transit staff. That is still very expensive (both the drivers and the insurance) for transit. And it is expensive for all the users who still need their own car and store it somewhere. My regimes says that cars are used all day long, but with multiple passengers at peak hours, and for 'personal' uses at other times. The technology for xTransit is being installed on shared cars as a matter of course, thanks to the owners' needs to know where their cars are. Using text messaging and web surfing on cell phones, rides can be summoned from anyone anywhere. The decision of a person needing transportation over a distance longer than what walking and cycling (and why not have shared fleets of bikes, too?), could result in the choice between a car or a seat in one going the same way. Or even allowing the 'hailing' we do for taxis, something similar to hitchhiking, but with the technology (electronic IDs, 'talking to the on-board access telematics) removing the insecurity of strangers sharing a car. The argument that smaller transit vehicles can offer smaller affinities and therefore quicker and more direct service, goes double for vehicles with 5-8 passengers. And if the users themselves are doing the driving, costs go way down. And we end up with transit that overtakes the rationale for the privately-owned car in cities, removing the need for users to have their _own_ car. This discovery has inspired my word-smithing to come up with a new creation: "Feet and Fleet-Seat" as how personal transportation should work in cities. Either the trip is short enough to be completed with a walk, or you get an electronic ride in a fleet vehicle which requires walking to a main road (non-main roads should be for bikes and electric carts that double as cargo-carriers). Thanks, Eric. From eric.britton at ecoplan.org Sat Aug 30 15:16:42 2008 From: eric.britton at ecoplan.org (Eric Britton) Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2008 08:16:42 +0200 Subject: [sustran] Sustainable Urban Transport - 850 programs and websites - (work in progress) Message-ID: <001601c90a67$fc9df790$f5d9e6b0$@britton@ecoplan.org> Dear Sustran Colleagues, If you go to http://www.knowledge.newmobility.org and click the link Sustainable Urban Transport on the left menu, you will be taken to a collection of close to one thousand programs and links in a listing originally complied under the auspices of the School of the Built Environment of Nottingham University and sent to us in mid- 2006. This is I believe an important resource for all of us here and while needing updating and extension to track the fast moving changes in this suddenly very busy field, even in this form it provides a terrific base for tracking the programs and groups active in this area around the world. In a next stage, I would like to ask you to review and share with us all your corrections and additions to this valuable inventory. Please address them to me off list, so that we can work our way through them here and make these changes and update this listing here for public consultation and use. And of course another suggestion that you might have for improving any aspect of our 'knowledge' program as we get close to launch will be timely and much appreciated. We look a little weak on the Sustran region. Kind thanks as always for your collaboration. Eric Britton