[sustran] VTPI News - Autumn 2008

[Todd Alexander Litman]

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                                   VTPI NEWS
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                       Victoria Transport Policy Institute
                          "Efficiency - Equity - Clarity"
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                           Autumn 2008    Vol. 11, No. 4
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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.
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NEW DOCUMENTS
==============

"A Good Example of Bad Transportation Performance Evaluation: 
Critique of the Fraser Institute Report, 'Transportation Performance 
of the Canadian Provinces'" (http://www.vtpi.org/per_ind.pdf )
This paper discusses transportation performance evaluation concepts 
and critiques the recent report, 'Transportation Performance of the 
Canadian Provinces,' By David T. Hartgen, Claire G. Chadwick and M. 
Gregory Fields. That report uses a unique set of 23 indicators to 
evaluate and compare transportation system performance of Canadian 
provinces. A few of these indicators are appropriate and widely used, 
but several are ambiguous and biased, and some are illogical. This 
paper examines these indicators in detail and grades their 
appropriateness for planning and management applications.
             *     *     *     *     *

"Multi-Modal Transport Planning" 
(http://www.vtpi.org/multimodal_planning.pdf ). This short paper 
summarizes basic principles for transportation planning. It describes 
conventional transport planning, which tends to focus on motor 
vehicle traffic conditions, and newer methods for more multi-modal 
planning and evaluation.
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PUBLISHED ELSEWHERE
===================
Planetizen Blogs (http://www.planetizen.com ):
    * "Crises Come And Go, But Smart Policies Live on" 
(http://www.planetizen.com/node/35651 )
    * "Planning for True Security" (http://www.planetizen.com/node/35475 )
    * "Driving Versus Public Transit Costs" 
(http://www.planetizen.com/node/35075 )

"Parking Management Best Practices," ITE Journal on the Web, Vol. 78, 
No. 9; at http://www.vtpi.org/PMBP_ITE_SEPT2008.pdf .
             *     *     *     *     *

"National Study on Carless and Special Needs Evacuation Planning: A 
Literature Review" 
(http://www.planning.uno.edu/docs/CarlessEvacuationPlanning.pdf ) by 
John L. Renne, Thomas W. Sanchez and Todd Litman for the Federal 
Transit Administration.
This report investigates how transportation agencies and local 
governments can consider the unique needs of minority, low-income, 
elderly, disabled, and limited English proficient persons in their 
emergency preparedness planning.
             *     *     *     *     *

"Managing Transport Challenges When Oil Prices Rise" 
(http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/research/reports/357.pdf ), by Stuart 
Donovan, et al., Research Report 357, New Zealand Transport Agency.
This report provides practical guidance to central, regional, and 
local government agencies on how to manage the transport challenges 
associated with rising oil prices.
             *     *     *     *     *

"Transport Network Optimisation Think-Piece" 
(http://viastrada.co.nz/pub/network-optimisation-think-piece ) by 
Andrew Macbeth and Megan Fowler for the New Zealand Transport Agency.
The document examines ways of optimising New Zealand's road transport 
network. It describes specific local and regional government policies 
that can increase transport system efficiency and equity.
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BEEN THERE - DONE THAT
======================
Connected Urban Development (http://www.connectedurbandevelopment.org )
During the 23rd-24th September Amsterdam Conference several new CUD 
projects were launched, including Amsterdam's Smart Work Center, 
Seoul's Smart Road Pricing and San Francisco's EcoMap prototype. VTPI 
presented information on Connected Public Transit planning and 
benefit analysis 
(http://www.connectedurbandevelopment.org/connected_and_sustainable_mobility/connected_public_transit 
)
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UPCOMING EVENTS
=================

Pay-As-You-Drive Vehicle Pricing Workshop
When: Friday, 21 November 2008, 1:00-4:30 pm
Where: UBC Robson Square (downtown Vancouver), Room C150
Price: Free, but registration is limited (70 maximum participants)
For more information: Todd Litman 
(<mailto:litman at vtpi.org>litman at vtpi.org or 250-360-1560)

This workshop explores Pay-As-You-Drive (PAYD) vehicle pricing, which 
means that insurance premiums are based directly on the amount a 
vehicle is driven during the policy term. Pay-As-You-Drive pricing 
provides several benefits: it is more actuarially accurate (premiums 
better reflect a vehicle's insurance claim costs), is more affordable 
and progressive with respect to income (most lower-income motorists 
would save money), can help reduce uninsured driving, and by 
rewarding mileage reductions PAYD helps reduce traffic congestion, 
traffic accidents, energy consumption and pollution emissions.

Backgrounders:

"Pay-As-You-Drive Pricing in British Columbia" 
(http://www.vtpi.org/paydbc.pdf ).

"Pay-As-You-Drive Insurance" (http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm79.htm )

"Pay-As-You-Drive Auto Insurance: A Simple Way to Reduce 
Driving-Related Harms and Increase Equity" 
(http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2008/07_payd_bordoffnoel.aspx )
             *     *     *     *     *

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting (http://www.trb.org )
11-15 January 2009
The Victoria Transport Policy Institute will present papers in the 
following TRB sessions:

Workshop 117, "Developing Transportation Data Quality Standards"
11 January 2009, 9:00 am 12:00 noon, Hilton, Military

Workshop 169, "Sustainability and Social Measures for Transportation" 
Sunday, January 11, 2009, 1:30pm- 4:30pm, Hilton, Lincoln East

Session 314, "Taxing Our Way to a Greener Future?"
DATE: Monday, January 12, 2009, 1:30pm- 3:15pm, Hilton, International East

Session 364, "Integration and Co-Benefits of Climate Change 
Mitigation Policies"
Monday, January 12, 2009, 3:45pm- 5:30pm, Hilton, Monroe West

Session 713, "Sustainable Transportation"
DATE: Wednesday, January 14, 2009, 10:15am-12:00pm, Hilton, International East
             *     *     *     *     *

UrbanRAIL (www.informa.com.au/urbanrail/spk )
17th-18th March 2009, Sydney, Australia
This conference will bring together government agencies, rail 
operators, track owners, transport consultancies and engineering 
companies to discuss key trends, major projects, and the future of 
Australasia's urban rail. VTPI Executive Director Todd Litman will 
speak about rail benefit evaluation. Please contact VTPI if you are 
interested in having Todd speak at other events in Australia or New 
Zealand during March 19-30.
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IN THE NEWS
=================
"Comments on the Notice of Preparation for Draft Environmental Impact 
Report For the Transportation 2035 Plan" 
(http://ag.ca.gov/globalwarming/pdf/comments_MTC_RT_Plan.pdf ). This 
letter by the California Attorney General indicates that regional 
transport plans must support state emission reduction targets, 
including consideration of induced travel impacts. It references our 
report, "Generated Traffic and Induced Travel: Implications for 
Transport Planning" (http://www.vtpi.org/gentraf.pdf)
             *     *     *     *     *

California PAYD Rules 
(http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-news/0100-press-releases/0070-2008/release089-08.cfm 
)
The Victoria Transport Policy Institute contributed to the 
development of draft California State insurance rules that will 
explicitly allow Pay-As-You-Drive (PAYD) insurance pricing. The rule 
is expected to be finalized in 2009.
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USEFUL RESOURCES
=================

"Improved Methods For Assessing Social, Cultural, And Economic 
Effects Of Transportation Projects" 
(http://www.statewideplanning.org/_resources/234_NCHRP-8-36-66.pdf ) 
This report identifies existing and emerging community and social 
impact assessment practices that can be used as indicators of 
community quality of life.
             *     *     *     *     *

"Smart Transportation Guidebook: Planning and Designing Highways and 
Streets that Support Sustainable and Livable Communities" 
(http://www.dvrpc.org/asp/pubs/publicationabstract.asp?pub_id=08030A 
) Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. This comprehensive 
guidebook integrates roadway and community planning to help increase 
efficiency and create more livable communities.
             *     *     *     *     *

"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.
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 
and increases to $50 per ton of CO2 by 2030, with 90% of the revenues 
returned to households and businesses in tax relief. They conclude 
that this would reduce climate change emissions 30% while only 
reducing GDP growth from 33.6% to 33.4%, and would provide other 
social and environmental benefits.
             *     *     *     *     *

"80in50 Scenarios for Deep Reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions 
from California Transportation: Meeting an 80% Reduction Goal in 
2050" (http://steps.ucdavis.edu/research/Thread_6/80in50 ) by 
Christopher Yang, et al, for the Sustainable Transportation Energy 
Pathways Project, Institute of Transportation Studies, University of 
California.
This report analyzes options for meeting California's ambitious 
greenhouse gas emission reductions goal (80% below 1990 levels by 
2050) in the transportation sector. This document identifies vehicle 
and fuel technologies that might achieve this goal, but concludes 
that reductions in total motor vehicle travel are important and 
deserve research.
             *     *     *     *     *

"The Green Bean Commuting Newsletter" by Accor Services provides 
information on commuter benefits. To subscribe visit 
http://accorservicesusa.com/eNews.aspx and select "Accor Services USA 
Newsletter".This document describes a recent commuter survey in which 
44% of respondents report that rising fuel prices have affected their 
travel decisions 
(http://www.accorservicesusa.com/Images/email/commuting_habit_change.jpg)
             *     *     *     *     *

"Commuter Benefits Now Extended to Cover Bicyclist" 
(http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/10/bailout-bill-gi.html)
H.R. 1498 - The Bike Commuter Act, adds "bicycles" to the definition 
of transportation covered by qualified transportation fringe benefit 
to IRS Code 132(f). This gives bicycle commuters the same financial 
incentive as commuters using other modes.
             *     *     *     *     *

"Active Transportation for America: A Case for Increased Federal 
Investment in Bicycling and Walking" 
(http://www.railstotrails.org/ATFA ), by Thomas Gotschi and Kevin 
Mills. This report quantifies the transportation, energy, climate, 
public health, and economic benefits of bicycling and walking.
             *     *     *     *     *

"Suburbanizing the City: How New York City Parking Requirements Lead 
to More Driving" 
(http://www.transalt.org/files/newsroom/reports/suburbanizing_the_city.pdf 
), by Rachel Weinberger, Mark Seaman and Carolyn Johnson. This study 
shows how generous minimum parking requirements increase vehicle 
ownership and use in New York City neighborhoods.
             *     *     *     *     *

"An International Review of The Significance of Rail in Developing 
More Sustainable Urban Transport Systems in Higher Income Cities" 
(http://www.eco-logica.co.uk/pdf/wtpp14.2.pdf ), by J. Kenworthy.
This study divides 60 high-income cities into strong rail, weak rail 
and no-rail cities based on its rail performance and competitiveness 
with automobile transport. It finds that more strongly rail-oriented 
cities generally experience various positive impacts.
             *     *     *     *     *

The Impact of Fuel Prices on Consumer Behavior and Traffic 
Congestion, 
(<http://scorecard.inrix.com/scorecard>http://scorecard.inrix.com/scorecard).
This study evaluated the effects of fuel price increases on U.S. 
vehicle travel and traffic congestion, using INRIX's "Smart Dust 
Network" of GPS-enabled vehicles which report roadway travel 
conditions. It also includes results of a survey concerning the 
effects fuel prices have on consumer travel behavior. The results 
indicate that increased gas prices in the first half of 2008 
significantly reduced VMT and traffic congestion.
             *     *     *     *     *

"The GPI Transportation Accounts: Sustainable Transportation in 
Halifax Regional Municipality" 
(http://www.gpiatlantic.org/pdf/transportation/hrmtransportation.pdf 
). This study uses various indicators to evaluate regional 
transportation system performance.
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Please let us know if you have comments or questions about any 
information in this newsletter, or if you would like to be removed 
from our email list. And please pass this newsletter on to others who 
may find it useful.


Sincerely,
Todd Alexander Litman
Victoria Transport Policy Institute (www.vtpi.org)
litman at vtpi.org
Phone & Fax 250-360-1560
1250 Rudlin Street, Victoria, BC, V8V 3R7, CANADA
"Efficiency - Equity - Clarity"