[sustran] VTPI Newsletter - Winter 2010

[Todd Alexander Litman]

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              VTPI NEWS
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         Victoria Transport Policy Institute
            "Efficiency - Equity - Clarity"
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             Winter 2010    Vol. 13, No. 1
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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 VTPI DOCUMENTS
====================

"Raise My Taxes, Please! Evaluating Household Savings From High 
Quality Public Transit" (http://www.vtpi.org/raisetaxes.pdf )
High quality public transit consists of service sufficiently 
convenient and comfortable to attract travel that would otherwise be 
by automobile. This paper uses data from U.S. cities to investigate 
the incremental costs and benefits of high quality transit service. 
The analysis indicates that high quality public transit typically 
requires about $268 annually per capita in additional tax subsidy and 
$104 in additional fares, but provides vehicle, parking and road cost 
savings averaging $1,040 per capita, plus other benefits including 
congestion reductions, increased traffic safety, pollution 
reductions, improved mobility for non-drivers, improved fitness and 
health. This indicates that residents should rationally support tax 
increases if needed to create high quality public transit systems in 
their communities. Current planning practices tend to overlook or 
undervalue many of these savings and benefits and so result in 
underinvestment in transit quality improvements.


"Parking Pricing Implementation Guidelines: How More Efficient 
Pricing Can Help Solve Parking Problems, Increase Revenue, And 
Achieve Other Planning Objectives" (http://www.vtpi.org/parkpricing.pdf )
Efficient parking pricing can provide numerous benefits including 
increased turnover and therefore improved user convenience, parking 
facility cost savings, reduced traffic problems, and increased 
revenues. This report provides guidance on parking pricing 
implementation. It describes parking pricing benefits and costs, ways 
to overcome common obstacles and objections, and examples of 
successful parking pricing programs. Parking pricing is best 
implemented as part of an integrated parking management program. 
Current trends are increasing the benefits of efficient parking 
pricing. Legitimate objections to parking pricing can be addressed 
with appropriate policies and strategies.


VTPI Consulting (http://www.vtpi.org/documents/consulting.php )
Visit our updated consulting services webpages. Please contact us for 
assistance with transportation research, planning analysis, program 
development, report and guidebook production, or workshops and 
conference presentations

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UPDATED DOCUMENTS
=================

"Where We Want To Be: Home Location Preferences And Their 
Implications For Smart Growth" (http://www.vtpi.org/sgcp.pdf )

"The Future Isn't What It Used To Be" (http://www.vtpi.org/future.pdf

"Evaluating Public Transit Benefits and Costs" 
(http://www.vtpi.org/tranben.pdf )
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PUBLISHED ELSEWHERE
===================

"Evaluating Carbon Taxes As An Energy Conservation And Emission 
Reduction Strategy," Transportation Research Record 2139, 
Transportation Research Board (<http://www.trb.org>www.trb.org), pp. 
125-132; at http://www.vtpi.org/carbontax.pdf
Carbon taxes are based on fossil fuel carbon content, and therefore 
tax carbon dioxide emissions. This paper evaluates British Columbia's 
carbon tax, introduced in 2008. It reflects key carbon tax 
principles: it is broad, gradual, predictable, and structured to 
assist low-income people. Revenues are returned to residents and 
businesses in ways that protect the lowest income households. It 
supports economic development by encouraging energy conservation 
which keeps money circulating within the regional economy.


"Transportation Policy and Injury Control" Injury Prevention, Vol. 
15, Issue 6, 2009. (http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/15/6/362.full )
This short article describes a paradigm shift occurring in the field 
of transport planning, and its implications for traffic safety. The 
old paradigm assumed that "transportation" means automobile travel. 
The new paradigm recognizes a wider range of options and planning objectives.


"The VMT Reduction Target Debate: Will This Get Us Where We Want to 
Go?" TRB Annual Meeting session video recording 
(http://www.bethereglobal.com/trb_2010/shop/index.php?searchstring=litman&showresult=true&exp=0&resultpage=&categories=off&msg=&search=index.php&shop=1 
).


"Complete Streets" (EIP-25), Planners Advisory Service Essential 
Information Packets (http://www.planning.org/pas/infopackets/#25 ), 
American Planning Association ($30)
Complete streets accommodate all users. Over the past several years, 
communities across the country have embraced a complete streets 
approach to the planning, design, construction, and operation of new 
transportation facilities. In this Essential Info Packet, PAS 
compiled a variety of articles, reports, and other resources 
detailing best practices for planning and building complete streets, 
including the VTPI "Introduction to Multi-Modal Transportation 
Planning: Principles and Practices."


Recent Planetizen Blogs (http://www.planetizen.com/blog/2394 ):
"Raise My Taxes, Please! Financing High Quality Public Transit 
Service Saves Me Money Overall"
"Carfree Design Manual"
"Accessibility, Mobility and Automobile Dependency"
"Report from TRB"
"Fun With Research: Higher Fuel Prices Increase Economic Productivity"

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CURRENT PROJECTS
===================

Canadian Tax Exempt Transit and Cycling Benefits
"Cost Estimate of Proposed Amendments to the Income Tax Act to Exempt 
Certain Employer-Provided Transportation Benefits from Taxable 
Income" 
(http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Sites/PBO-DPB/documents/Costing_C-466_EN.pdf ).
Proposed Canadian legislation C-466 would exempt from income taxes 
employer-provided commuter benefits up to $1,800 annually for transit 
and park-and-ride expenses, and $250 for cycling expenses. This study 
evaluated the fiscal impacts of this legislation. It concluded that 
net tax revenue foregone would be negligible overall, and the reduced 
vehicle traffic should provide economic benefits leading to increased 
productivity and therefore tax revenues.

To support this legislation send letters to:
Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance
21st Floor, 110 O'Connor Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0G5
A model letter is available at http://www.vtpi.org/files/C466.doc .


Drive Less, Pay Less: Pay-As-You-Drive Auto Insurance Performance 
Standard 
(<http://www.ceres.org/Page.aspx?pid=1157>http://www.ceres.org/Page.aspx?pid=1157 
)
VTPI is working with a coalition of transportation and environmental 
organizations to develop a Pay-As-You-Drive (PAYD) vehicle insurance 
performance standard to help regulators, insurers and consumers 
identify truly effective PAYD policies. This standard defines 
specific requirements for policies to achieve Bronze, Silver and Gold 
ratings. For more information see 
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mindy-s-lubber/drive-less-pay-less-win-w_b_391373.html 
.

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UPCOMING EVENTS
=================

"Multi-modal Transportation Economic Evaluation: Cut Costs and 
Improve Mobility" at the Urban Transportation Summit, Toronto 3 March 
2010 (http://www.strategyinstitute.com/030210_uts8/dsp.php )

"Parking Innovation Workshop" at the American Planning Association 
Annual Meeting, New Orleans, 11 April 2010 
(http://www.planning.org/conference/program/search/activity.htm?ActivityID=138154 
).

"Smart Driving: Evaluating Mobility Management" at the Edmonton 
International Conference on Urban Traffic Safety, 28 April 2010 
(http://www.trafficsafetyconference.com ).

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USEFUL RESOURCES
=================

"Preventive Medicine; Special Supplement on Active Communities for 
Youth and Families: Using Research to Create Momentum for Change," 
Vol. 50, Supplement 1, January 2010; at 
(http://www.activelivingresearch.org/resourcesearch/journalspecialissues). 
This special, free journal issue contains articles describing new 
research on the relationships between land use policy, urban design, 
travel activity (walking, cycling, transit and vehicle travel), body 
weight and health outcomes.


"Bicycling and Walking in the U.S.: 2010 Benchmarking Report" 
(www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/site/memberservices/C529.
This comprehensive study by the Alliance for Biking & Walking reveals 
that in almost every state and major U.S. city, bicyclists and 
pedestrians are at a disproportionate risk of being killed, and 
receive less than their fair share of transportation dollars. While 
10% of U.S. trips are by bike or foot, and 13% of traffic fatalities 
are bicyclists and pedestrians, yet biking and walking receive less 
than 2% of federal transportation dollars. The report indicates that 
states with the lowest levels of biking and walking have, on average, 
the highest rates of obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. 
International comparisons indicate that the U.S. investments less in 
biking and walking and has less biking and walking activity than its peers.


"Integrating Bicycling and Public Transport in North America" by John 
Pucher and Ralph Buehler, Journal of Public Transportation, Vol. 12, 
No. 3, 2009, pp. 79-104; at 
<http://www.nctr.usf.edu/jpt/pdf/JPT12-3Pucher.pdf>http://www.nctr.usf.edu/jpt/pdf/JPT12-3Pucher.pdf.


"Child and Youth Friendly Land Use and Transport Planning: Guidelines 
and Literature Review" (http://www.kidsonthemove.ca ) is developing 
guidelines for municipal transportation and land-use planners as 
tools to create communities that meet the needs of children and youth 
- and everyone else.


"Abu Dhabi Urban Street Design Manual" 
(http://nelsonnygaard.com/Documents/Reports/Abu-Dhabi-StreetDesignManual.pdf )
This innovative Manual provides guidance to planners and designers on 
ways to create more walkable communities. It introduces the concept 
of the pedestrian realm as an integral part of the overall street 
composition. It uses extensive illustrations, examples and 
instructions to help designers, planners and decision-makers 
implement a new vision of urban development. It responds to the needs 
of a rapidly-growing city that desires to preserve cultural 
traditions and design features, provide natural comfort in a hot 
climate, accommodate diverse populations, and achieve sustainability 
objectives.


"Who Owns The Roads? How Motorised Traffic Discourages Walking And 
Bicycling," by Peter L. Jacobsen, F. Racioppi and H. Rutter, Injury 
Prevention, Vol. 15, Issue 6, pp. 369-373; 
(http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/15/6/369.full.html ).
This article examines the impact of vehicle traffic on walking and 
bicycling activity. It indicates that real and perceived danger and 
discomfort imposed by traffic discourages walking and bicycling, and 
interventions to reduce traffic speed and volume can improve public 
health by increasing walking and bicycling activity.


"A Study on the Impact of the Green Transport Mode on Public Health 
Improvement," KOTI World-Brief, Vol. 1, No. 1, Korea Transport 
Institute, May 2009, pp. 6-8 
(http://english.koti.re.kr/upload/eng_publication_regular/world-brief01.pdf ).
This study found that commuters who switch from automobile to walking 
or cycling for eight weeks experienced significantly reduced lower 
blood pressure, improved lung capacity and improved cholesterol 
counts. It estimated that commuters who use active modes achieve 
annual health and fitness benefits worth an average of 2.2 million 
Korean Won (about $2,000). They found that incorporating these values 
into transportation policy and project evaluation significantly 
affected outcomes, resulting in higher values for policies and 
projects that increase active transportation among people who 
otherwise achieve less than 150 weekly minutes of physical activity.


"Transitway Impacts Research Program" 
(http://www.cts.umn.edu/Research/Featured/Transitways ) investigates 
how high quality urban transit systems affect travel activity and 
land use development.


"Analysis Finds Shifting Trends in Highway Funding: User Fees Make Up 
Decreasing Share" 
(http://www.subsidyscope.com/transportation/highways/funding )
This analysis of Federal Highway Statistics found the portion of U.S. 
highway funding paid by motor vehicle user fees has declined 
significantly. In 2007, 51% of highway construction and maintenance 
expenditures were generated through user fees (fuel taxes, vehicle 
registration fees and tolls) down from 61% a decade earlier. The rest 
came from other sources, including income, sales and property taxes.


"Estimates of the External Costs of Transport in 2007" KOTI 
World-Brief, Vol. 1, No. 3, Korea Transport Institute 
(<http://www.koti.re.kr>www.koti.re.kr), July, pp. 8-10; at 
<http://english.koti.re.kr/upload/eng_publication_regular/World-Brief03.pdf>http://english.koti.re.kr/upload/eng_publication_regular/World-Brief03.pdf.
This study estimates that during 2007, South Korean household 
expenditures on transportation totaled 11.4% of GDP, and external 
transportation costs (congestion delays, accident damages and 
pollution emissions) totaled 5.4% of GDP. The study compares South 
Korea's transport costs with other countries and indicates changes over time.


"Transport: External Cost of Transport In Switzerland" 
(http://www.are.admin.ch/themen/verkehr/00252/00472/index.html?lang=en 
). This comprehensive research program by the Swiss government 
provides detailed estimates of various transportation costs, 
including infrastructure, accidents and pollutants.


"International Fuel Prices 2009" (http://www.gtz.de/fuelprices)
The 2009 International Fuel Prices report provides an overview of the 
retail prices of gasoline and diesel in more than 170 countries, 
discusses pricing policies, presents case studies on the impact of 
high and volatile fuel prices in 2007/2008 in developing countries 
and provides access to numerous additional resources.


"Rethinking Transport and Climate Change" 
(http://www.transport2012.org/bridging/ressources/files/1/96,Rethinking_Transport_and_Climate_Chan.pdf 
) and "Changing Course: A New Paradigm for Sustainable Urban 
Transport" 
(http://www.adb.org/Documents/Books/Paradigm-Sustainable-Urban-Transport/new-paradigm-transport.pdf 
).
These two new reports by the Asian Development Bank conclude that 
current transportation planning practices are unsustainable and 
discuss policy and planning changes needed to create more efficient 
and equitable transport systems.


"Transit Benefit Ordinance" 
(<http://www.transitbenefitordinance.com>www.transitbenefitordinance.com). 
This new website provides specific information on how municipal 
governments can encourage or require larger employers to offer 
transit benefits.


"Carfree Design Manual" by Joel Crawford, International Books 
(http://www.carfree.com/cdm ). This comprehensive and attractive 
book, featuring hundreds of photographs and drawings, describes the 
theory and practice of carfree (and car-light) urban planning.


"How Free Is Your Parking?" 
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_O6dR7YfvM&feature=player_embedded )




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"