From ashima_s at isb.edu Mon Dec 2 18:16:50 2013 From: ashima_s at isb.edu (Ashima Sood) Date: Mon, 2 Dec 2013 14:46:50 +0530 Subject: [sustran] Review of Urban Affairs: Urban Transport in India Message-ID: The Economic and Political Weekly's biannual Review of Urban Affairs has a new issue on Urban Transport in India, guest-edited by Geetam Tiwari: http://www.epw.in/ejournal/term/1/_/taxonomy%3Aterm%3A11201 Articles should be freely accessible over the next four weeks. From ranjithsd at sltnet.lk Tue Dec 3 02:02:53 2013 From: ranjithsd at sltnet.lk (Ranjith De Silva) Date: Mon, 02 Dec 2013 22:32:53 +0530 Subject: [sustran] Looking for consultants in the city development transport infrastructure development Message-ID: <003e01ceef80$57503650$05f0a2f0$@sltnet.lk> Dear SUSTRAN members, The UK based NGO, Practical Action (formerly known as ITDG) is closing down their office in Sri Lanka and transferring their remaining work with staff to the newly established Janathakshan, who will take on the task to continue the legacy of Practical Action in Sri Lanka and in the region. Janathakshan is finding a suitable consultant from persons who are willing to submit their CVs under Janathakshan, in a joint bid to be made to a private sector civil engineering based organization famous for infrastructure Development in Sri Lanka and neighboring countries (to do government contracts). They are looking for expertise on strategic city development planning, road network development, planning and building related infrastructure bridges, culverts etc. Persons should have exposure and experience in the Asian region especially worked in the developed countries in the region e.g. Singapore, Malaysia, Korea Thailand etc. Consultants should quote their rates and they will be informed fully about the details of the bidder and the bid before submitting it. If Janathakshan wins the bid, the initial assignment is for 6 weeks of developing a strategic plan, with a potential of further extension. Interested persons are kindly requested to contact: Dr. Vishaka Hidellage Director, Janathakshan, No. 5, Lionel Edirisinghe Mawatha, Kirulapone, Colombo 5, Sri Lanka. Phone: +94 112 829412, Fax: +94 11 2856188, email: vishaka.hidellage@practicalaction.org.lk Regards. Ranjith Ranjith de Silva Consultant International Forum for Rural Transport and Development (IFRTD) From yanivbin at gmail.com Fri Dec 6 15:53:41 2013 From: yanivbin at gmail.com (Vinay Baindur) Date: Fri, 6 Dec 2013 12:23:41 +0530 Subject: [sustran] 'BRTS must for cities with metro' Message-ID: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/BRTS-must-for-cities-with-metro/articleshow/26926469.cms *'BRTS must for cities with metro'* Radheshyam Jadhav,TNN | Dec 6, 2013, 04.07 AM IST PUNE: The Centre has asked cities implementing metro rail projects to also focus on Bus Rapid Transit Systems (BRTS) to enhance regional connectivity in urban agglomerations and help decentralize population growth. The Union Urban Development Department (UDD), in a recent communique to the state governments, has said that irrespective of their metro project plans, cities have to implement BRTS. It has also said that the Centre would conduct a survey of existent BRTS projects that have been implemented with the assistance of the Centre, before it launches the second phase of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Mission ( JNNURM) and releases funds. The UDD instruction to state representatives to prepare a detailed report on the implementation of BRTS was made following the Urban Mobility India Conference and Expo 2013 held in New Delhi earlier this week. The UDD has emphasized upon transit-oriented development of cities as an integral part of urban planning and has highlighted a requirement of mixed use development of urban transport centres, which essentially comprises development of residential, commercial, entertainment and other civic facilities within the vicinity of main public transport centres. According to the Centre, this would help provide ease of access to major facilities to the people and promote use of mass transit systems. "UDD minister Kamal Nath has stressed upon the role of cities as engines of growth which will further create the urgency to address mobility issues and a need to create modern cities that are receptive to innovation in the field of mobility," said a state government official. The Centre's endorsement for the BRTS comes at a time when elected representatives across political parties in Pune are upping the ante against BRTS and demanding to scrap the project even as transport experts have endorsed the Centre's insistence on this mode of transport. Enrique Penalosa, president Institute for Transportation and Development Policies (ITDP), speaking in the New Delhi conference said that BRTS is a cheaper solution than the metro system to solve mass mobility problems. He added that many big cities in the world such as Paris having metro systems are now also adopting BRTS as an effective mode of urban transportation. Nationalist Congress Party ( NCP) Rajya Sabha member Vandana Chavan echoed views of Penalosa and said, "BRTS is the best option cities can have to overcome traffic problem. The local governing bodies have to implement the project in a systematic way. BRTS is going to play a vital role to connect Pune metropolitan region." From sguttikunda at gmail.com Fri Dec 6 15:57:00 2013 From: sguttikunda at gmail.com (Sarath Guttikunda) Date: Fri, 6 Dec 2013 12:27:00 +0530 Subject: [sustran] Re: 'BRTS must for cities with metro' In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: This is interesting, because last month, this was in news for Delhi *After facing major resistance to the concept of bus rapid transit (BRT), Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday said her government was considering dismantling the system between Ambedkar Stadium and Moolchand. "I think so," Dikshit said* http://www.indianexpress.com/news/will-dismantle-brt-didn-t-work-sheila/1200047/0 With regards, Sarath -- *Dr. Sarath Guttikunda* *http://www.urbanemissions.info * *http://www.dri.edu/sarath-guttikunda * On Fri, Dec 6, 2013 at 12:23 PM, Vinay Baindur wrote: > > http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/BRTS-must-for-cities-with-metro/articleshow/26926469.cms > > > > *'BRTS must for cities with metro'* > Radheshyam Jadhav,TNN | Dec 6, 2013, 04.07 AM IST > > > > PUNE: The Centre has asked cities implementing metro rail projects to also > focus on Bus Rapid Transit Systems (BRTS) to enhance regional connectivity > in urban agglomerations and help decentralize population growth. > > The Union Urban Development Department (UDD), in a recent communique to the > state governments, has said that irrespective of their metro project plans, > cities have to implement BRTS. It has also said that the Centre would > conduct a survey of existent BRTS projects that have been implemented with > the assistance of the Centre, before it launches the second phase of > Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Mission ( JNNURM) and releases funds. > > The UDD instruction to state representatives to prepare a detailed report > on the implementation of BRTS was made following the Urban Mobility India > Conference and Expo 2013 held in New Delhi earlier this week. The UDD has > emphasized upon transit-oriented development of cities as an integral part > of urban planning and has highlighted a requirement of mixed use > development of urban transport centres, which essentially comprises > development of residential, commercial, entertainment and other civic > facilities within the vicinity of main public transport centres. According > to the Centre, this would help provide ease of access to major facilities > to the people and promote use of mass transit systems. > > "UDD minister Kamal Nath has stressed upon the role of cities as engines of > growth which will further create the urgency to address mobility issues and > a need to create modern cities that are receptive to innovation in the > field of mobility," said a state government official. > > The Centre's endorsement for the BRTS comes at a time when elected > representatives across political parties in Pune are upping the ante > against BRTS and demanding to scrap the project even as transport experts > have endorsed the Centre's insistence on this mode of transport. Enrique > Penalosa, president Institute for Transportation and Development Policies > (ITDP), speaking in the New Delhi conference said that BRTS is a cheaper > solution than the metro system to solve mass mobility problems. He added > that many big cities in the world such as Paris having metro systems are > now also adopting BRTS as an effective mode of urban transportation. > > Nationalist Congress Party ( NCP) Rajya Sabha member Vandana Chavan echoed > views of Penalosa and said, "BRTS is the best option cities can have to > overcome traffic problem. The local governing bodies have to implement the > project in a systematic way. BRTS is going to play a vital role to connect > Pune metropolitan region." > -------------------------------------------------------- > To search the archives of sustran-discuss visit > http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=014715651517519735401:ijjtzwbu_ss > > ================================================================ > 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 ashok.sreenivas at gmail.com Tue Dec 17 13:34:28 2013 From: ashok.sreenivas at gmail.com (Ashok Sreenivas) Date: Tue, 17 Dec 2013 10:04:28 +0530 Subject: [sustran] Girish Sant Memorial Young Researcher Fellowship 2014 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <52AFD454.5010909@gmail.com> Hi, Attached please find a call for applications for the Girish Sant Memorial Young Researcher Fellowship 2014. Details of the fellowship can also be found on this page . Request you to inform potential applicants and circulate this among your contacts. Thanks. Regards Ashok -- Ashok Sreenivas -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: GSM-fellowship-announcement.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 309888 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20131217/f763b08a/GSM-fellowship-announcement-0001.pdf From yanivbin at gmail.com Wed Dec 18 04:23:40 2013 From: yanivbin at gmail.com (Vinay Baindur) Date: Wed, 18 Dec 2013 00:53:40 +0530 Subject: [sustran] Transport minister calls cycle ban in Kolkata illegal Message-ID: http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/transport-minister-calls-cycle-ban-kolkata-illegal Transport minister calls cycle ban in Kolkata illegal 0 Comments Author(s): Sayantan Bera @sayantanbera Date:Dec 17, 2013 State government yet to revoke ban on non-motorised transport despite repeated protests, calls from civil society and advisory from Union Ministry of Urban Development [image: Milk vendors and petty traders took to the streets of Kolkata Tuesday, protesting the cycle ban (photos by Sayantan Bera)]Milk vendors and petty traders took to the streets of Kolkata Tuesday, protesting the cycle ban (Photos by Sayantan Bera) ?I have been fined three times this month while delivering milk,? says an angry Omkar Mandal. For over two decades now, Mandal has been cycling about 10 km every day to pick up and deliver milk. ?Each time I have to pay Rs 120. How can I survive like this?? he asks. Mandal along with other citizens of Kolkata?newspaper delivery boys, medicine suppliers and petty traders for whom cycling is a means of survival?took to the streets of Kolkata today to protest against the ban on cycling in the city. This the fourth such street-protest in as many months. Later, the organisers, Kolkata Cycle Arohi Adhikar O Jibika Raksha Committee (KCAAJRC) met the state transport minister, Madan Mitra. ?I fully support cycles and non-motorised transport and care for their safety and promote their use. The government has not ratified the notification issued by Kolkata police and hence no ban exists,? the transport minister told the organisers of the protest march. Dukhshyam Mandal from KCAAJRC informed the minister that ?the police continues to harass cyclists who use the cycle to commute for their daily livelihood. He gave Mitra a piece of stamped paper from Kolkata Police, proof of a cyclist fined today at the Park Street police station. ?The minister took the receipt and asked his office to take action against such acts of the police,? said Mandal. On 29 May this year, the Kolkata police commissioner restricted cycle, hand carts and all other forms of non-motorised transport (NMT) from 174 major thoroughfares. Five years back, on August 11, 2008 the traffic police had restricted cycling on 38 roads. ?Cycling prohibited? signs now adorn most city roads where one is allowed to pedal only during odd hours?between 11 pm and 7 am. Kolkata police in its fervour to implement the ban has been collecting fines from errant riders who dare to defy. Cyclists are regularly made to pay upwards of Rs 100 without any receipts. The monetary penalty is illegal as the police commissioner?s order has no provisions for fines. [image: The cycle ban in Kolkata has no precedent in India or around the world. At a time when governments are actively promoting non-motorised transport, Derek O?Brien, Trinamool Congress MP from Bengal thinks it is 'in keeping with the norm in major cities of the world?]The cycle ban in Kolkata has no precedent in India or around the world. At a time when governments are actively promoting non-motorised transport, Derek O?Brien, Trinamool Congress MP from Bengal thinks it is 'in keeping with the norm in major cities of the world? The ban on cycles makes little sense as it remains the vehicle of choice. Kolkata is the only metro in India where trips by cycles (11 per cent) and walking (19 per cent) outnumbers trips made by cars (8 per cent). Only 1.5 per cent of road accidents happen due to cyclists? fault compared to 71 per cent because of drivers of motor vehicles. Cycles are hugely popular in a city that has the least amount of road space and low ownership of private cars. The Kolkata traffic police?s contention that cycles slow down vehicular traffic also doesn?t hold ground: the average speed of traffic in Kolkata varies between 14 km to 18 km per hour. In July this year, Down To Earth was the first to report on the ban and the plight of cyclists in Kolkata. After the report was published, several NGO?s took to the streets to protest the ban. The national and international press, including the BBC, Washington Post and The Guardian wrote extensively on the regressive order. *Pedalling fiction?* The widespread coverage in the press annoyed the ruling government. Derek O?Brien, MP from Trinamool Congress, the ruling party in West Bengal, wrote a blog on October 9, titled ?Stop pedalling fiction about Kolkata?. ?I?ve been bemused by the outrage in certain national newspapers, many of them not even published in Kolkata, that have editorialised and expressed anger at the so-called cycling ban in Kolkata,? wrote O?Brien who is a famed quizmaster. ?For some years now, in keeping with the norm in major cities of the world, Kolkata has had cycling restrictions on heavy-traffic roads. This prevents accidents and saves lives, including those of cyclists who otherwise have to negotiate tight traffic that allows neither them nor bigger vehicles much room for manoeuvre .? A scathing response came from Switch On, a civil society group working to lift the ban. ?When you say the ban is in keeping with the norm in major cities of the world, I would really like to know which cities you are talking about. All cities across the globe are moving towards cycles and non-motorised transport. London, a city Kolkata aspires to become, has had a cycle boom since the turn of the 21st Century.? [image: Lack of awareness about a sustainable transport system and disregard to the needs of users and their rights reflects a callous approach to dealing with the problems of urban transport,' wrote Sudhir Krishna, secretary MoUD in a letter to chief secretary of West Bengal]'Lack of awareness about a sustainable transport system and disregard to the needs of users and their rights reflects a callous approach to dealing with the problems of urban transport,' wrote Sudhir Krishna, secretary MoUD in a letter to chief secretary of West Bengal ?Kolkata is the most polluted metropolitan city in the country and is around 2.5 times more dangerous than the capital city of Delhi,? wrote Ekta Kothari Jaju from Switch On. ?Automobiles account for nearly 50 per cent of the air pollution load. This ban will further put Kolkata's citizens health in danger, when the city is already (in)famous for being the lung cancer capital of the country. As for solutions, the comprehensive mobility plan published by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) advocated the need for cycle and NMT infrastructure in the multi-modal transport mix for Kolkata. In the ?car centric? policy, the report projects a very dangerous traffic scenario for Kolkata,? wrote Jaju. *?Callous and insensitive?* On October 18, Sudhir Krishna, secretary with Union Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) wrote a strongly worded letter to the chief secretary of West Bengal. ?The decision reeks of insensitivity towards the common citizen... there could be multiple arguments in favour of the ban, but the lack of awareness about a sustainable transport system and disregard towards the needs of users and their rights reflects a callous approach to dealing with the problems of urban transport,? wrote Krishna. ?I would request you to look into the matter personally and direct Kolkata Traffic Police to lift the ban on cycles immediately and undertake a proper study to resolve the traffic problems in a more equitable and sustainable manner.? Alapan Bandopadhyay, transport secretary of West Bengal, says his department has nothing to do with cycles. ?You should talk to the Kolkata police,? he had told Down To Earth a few days ago. When contacted, deputy commissioner of police in charge of traffic, Dilip Kumar Adak, pedalled the same arguments he had given in May this year. ?There is very little road space in Kolkata and allowing slow moving vehicles on the road will lead to more accidents. After the restriction was imposed Kolkata?s traffic movement and speed has improved.? ?We are considering different opinions on cycle restrictions and will see if the decision could be modified in any way,? he says. It?s been more than five years Kolkata?s cyclists have lived with the ban by paying hefty fines and riding sheepishly like criminals. If the transport minister keeps his word their worries might soon be over. From yanivbin at gmail.com Sun Dec 29 16:06:47 2013 From: yanivbin at gmail.com (Vinay Baindur) Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2013 12:36:47 +0530 Subject: [sustran] Theme of Road Safety Week- 2014 is "When on the road, always say 'Pehle Aap" Message-ID: FYI http://morth.nic.in/showfile.asp?lid=1134 No. RT- 25029/0112013 - RS *GOVERNMENT OF INDIA* *MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS* *(ROAD SAFETY CELL)* Transport Bhavan, 1, Parliament Street New Delhi, the 06th December, 2013 To I. The Chief Secretaries of all States /UTs 2. The Transport Secretaries /Commissioners and & Home Secretaries of all States/UTs 3. The Director General of Police of all States/UTs *Subject: Observance of 25th Road Safety Week from 11 till - 17th January 2014* Sir, It is unfortunate that over one lakh persons lose their lives every year in our country in road accidents and many more are debilitated, causing economic hardship and emotional trauma to their families. There is an urgent need to make our roads safer; loss of lives and limbs cannot be accepted as the price of mobility. 2. The central and the state governments have been implementing measures to make our roads safer. But the magnitude and gravity of the problem is such that these alone will not suffice. There is a need for the society at large to take cognizance of the issue and to join hands to make road safety a social movement. 3. To give all the stakeholders an opportunity to take part in concerted action for the cause, "Road Safety Week" is observed throughout the country every year in the month of January. The 25th Safety Week will be observed from n" January to 17th January, 2014. The theme of the Road Safety Week and the year 2014 is "When on the road, always say 'Pehle Aap ", An indicative list of road safety activities which may be undertaken during the week is enclosed. Also, all the states may consider holding a symbolic "Walkathon" on Sunday, the Jih of ~~1(UMy2014, in the morning hours. Involvement of all the concerned agencies like Police, Health, information & Publicity, Education, PWI), etc., and other field agencies like Transport Authorities, District Authorities, Voluntary Organizations etc. may be ensured. In addition, a proactive enforcement drive during the Week would underscore the seriousness about safety on the roads. 4. It is requested that an Action Taken Report in the matter may subsequently be sent to this Ministry by 31st January, 2014. (Sanjay B Joint Secretary to the Government of India Tel: 23351061 Encl: As above 1.The Chairman, NHAI 2. The Chairman, Central Board of Secondary Education, I7-B, Indraprastha Estate, New Delhi-II 0002 3. Director (Academics), Central Board of Secondary Education, I7-B, Indraprastha Estate, New Delhi-II 0002 4. The Executive Director of Association of State Road Transport Undertakings and Chief Executive of all State Road Transport Undertakings 5. The Executive Director, Association of State Road Transport Undertakings, Dwarka, New Delhi-II 0075 6. The Director General, Society of India Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Core- 4B, Zone-IV, 5th Floor, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-II 0003 7. The President, CII 8. The President, FICCI 9. The President, ASSOCHAM 10. The President, PHDIC II. The Director, Central Institute of Road Transport, Bhosari Road, Pune 12. The President, IRF, India Chapter, 203, Ashirwad Complex, D-I, Green Park, Delhi-I 10016 13. The President, Federation of Automobile Associations ofIndia 14. The President, Automobile Association of Eastern India, 13, Ballygunge Circular Road (Now Promothesh Barua Sarani), Kolkata-7000 19 15. The President, Automobile Association of Southern India, AASI Centre, 187, Anna Salai, Post Box No. 729, Chennai 600 006 16. The President, Automobile Association of Upper India, C-8, Institutional Area South of lIT, New Delhi-I 10020 17. The President, Western India Automobile Association, Lalji Naranji Memorial Building, 76 Veer Nariman Road, Churchgate, Mumbai - 400020 18. The President, U.P.Automobile Association, 32-A, M G Marg, Allahabad, U.P. 19. The Director, Central Road Research Institution Delhi, Mathura Road, Delhi 20. The President, Institute of Road Traffic Education, 8-63, Okhla Industrial Area Phase-II, New Delhi-II 0002 21. The President, All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), I6-A, Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi 22. Secretary General, All India Confederation of Goods Vehicle Owners Association, 215136, Krishna Nagar, Ganga Mandir Marg, Karol Bagh, New Delhi-I 10005 23. Institute of Driving Training & Research, Adjoining ISBT, Sarai Kale Khan, Ring Road, New Delhi-II 0013 24. Institute of Driving Training & Research, Wazirabad Road, Adjoining Loni Road Flyover, Delhi 25. Society for Driving Training Institute, Burari, New Delhi 26. President, Community Against Drunken Driving(CADD), II8B/3, Second Floor, J.P. House, Shahpur Jat, Khel Gaon, New Delhi-l l 0049 *SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY STATE GOVERNMENTS **DURING 25th ROAD SAFETY WEEK* i) Special messages from Chief Ministers ii) Holding of meetings on Road Safety and to be attended by Senior Officials of concerned departments and public representatives iii) Panel discussions on Road Safety on AIR & Television iv) Inviting entries for slogans on Road Safety in newspapers and awarding prizes to the best entries. v) Release of advertisements & messages on Road Safety from various dignitaries in daily Newspapers vi) Public announcement on road safety at important intersections using mobile vans. vii) Display of Banners, Road Signs, Dos and Don'ts regarding Road Safety at important locations/Traffic Junctions viii) Organization of exhibitions, seminars, lectures, screening of documentary films, etc. in public places. ix) Bringing out pamphlets, folders for children, road users and drivers in order to educate them on road safety aspects. x) Medical check-ups and eye-sight testing camps and free distribution of spectacles to drivers. xi) Proper road marking works on National Highways, State Highways and other major roads. xii) Checking of over speeding, over loading, unauthorized parking, drunken driving etc. xiii) Special training programmes for school/college students in traffic rules. xiv)Inclusion of traffic rules and road safety matters in school text books. xv) Refresher course for drivers of State Transport Undertakings and for drivers In the unorganized sector. xvi)Traffic training to children who visit the traffic training parks. xvii) Practical traffic education campaign by Police Departments and Voluntary Agencies, particularly among cyclists and pedestrians From litman at vtpi.org Tue Dec 31 11:41:16 2013 From: litman at vtpi.org (Todd Alexander Litman) Date: Mon, 30 Dec 2013 18:41:16 -0800 Subject: [sustran] Smarter Solutions To Traffic Congestion - Media Release Message-ID: <0d6101cf05d1$cc94c7c0$65be5740$@org> Media Release 30 December 2013 For More Information contact Todd Litman Phone: 250-360-1560 Email: litman@vtpi.org Smarter Solutions To Traffic Congestion in 2014 Most people can agree that traffic congestion is wasteful and frustrating, but that is where the consensus ends. There are often contentious debates concerning which solution is best: whether to expand roads, improve public transit services, price road use, or implement transportation demand management strategies. These debates are often simplistic, based on incomplete and biased analysis. A new article, "Smarter Congestion Relief In Asian Cities: Win-Win Solutions To Urban Transport Problems" (http://www.unescap.org/ttdw/Publications/TPTS_pubs/bulletin82/b82_Chapter1. pdf ) published December 2013 in the United Nation's "Transport and Communications Bulletin for Asia and the Pacific," describes better ways to evaluate traffic congestion problems and select congestion reduction strategies. These principles apply to any urban area, not just Asian cities. ============================================== "Smarter Congestion Relief In Asian Cities: Win-Win Solutions To Urban Transport Problems" By Todd Litman ABSTRACT This article describes new and better ways to solve urban traffic congestion problems. It emphasizes win-win strategies that help achieve multiple planning objectives and therefore maximize overall benefits. This reflects a new planning paradigm which expands the range of impacts and options considered in the planning process. Win-win strategies include improvements to resource efficient modes such as walking, cycling and public transport; incentives for urban-peak travelers to use the most efficient option for each trip; and smart growth development policies that reduce travel distances and therefore total congestion costs. This article discusses the importance of comprehensive and multi-modal transport planning, describes omissions and biases in current planning, identifies various win-win congestion reduction strategies, and provides examples of successful urban transportation improvement programs. The win-win approach can be applied to many types of transportation problems, and is particularly appropriate in rapidly-developing Asian cities. ============================================== This article summarizes a more detailed study, "Smart Congestion Relief: Comprehensive Evaluation Of Traffic Congestion Costs and Congestion Reduction Strategies" (http://www.vtpi.org/cong_relief.pdf ) by the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, which identifies the best practices recommended by international experts for measuring traffic congestion costs and evaluating potential congestion reduction strategies. According to study author, Todd Litman, "many congestion evaluation studies use outdated analysis methods and assumptions which exaggerate congestion costs and inaccurately evaluate the benefits of potential congestion reduction strategies. This can bias planning decisions in ways that can increase total transportation costs." This is important because congestion evaluation affects many planning decisions, from how transportation funds are spent and roads are designed, to where development occurs. Despite this importance, many people involved in these decisions have little understanding of how best to evaluate congestion. Most communities continue to use biased and incomplete analysis methods that exaggerate congestion costs and roadway expansion benefits, and undervalue other solutions which are often best overall. Litman explains, "Conventional congestion indicators, such as roadway level-of-service, the travel time index, and the Gridlock Index, reflect congestion intensity, the amount that traffic speeds decline during peak periods. Such information is useful for making short-term decisions, such as how to travel across town during rush hour, but is unsuited for strategic planning decisions that affect transport options (the quality of travel modes) or development patterns. More comprehensive evaluation measures total congestion costs, taking into account exposure (the amount that people must drive under urban-peak conditions)." More comprehensive and multi-modal analysis can help identify truly optimal congestion reduction strategies. Many of these are win-win solutions: congestion reduction strategies that help achieve other important planning objectives. They are not necessarily the most cost effective strategy considering congestion reductions alone, but are best overall when all impacts are considered. Most cities are implementing some innovative congestion reduction strategies, but few are implementing all that are economically justified. The most effective congestion reduction programs usually include an integrated combination of improvements to alternative modes, pricing reforms, smart growth policies, and TDM programs. The Victoria Transport Policy Institute has published several reports and articles concerning better ways to evaluate congestion: Todd Litman (2001), "Generated Traffic; Implications for Transport Planning," ITE Journal, Vol. 71, No. 4, April, pp. 38-47 (http://www.vtpi.org/gentraf.pdf). Todd Litman (2012), Smart Congestion Relief: Comprehensive Analysis Of Traffic Congestion Costs and Congestion Reduction Benefits, paper P12-5310, Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting (http://www.vtpi.org/cong_relief.pdf ). Todd Litman (2013), "Toward More Comprehensive and Multi-modal Transport Evaluation," JOURNEYS, September, pp. 50-58 (http://www.vtpi.org/comp_evaluation.pdf ). Todd Litman (2013), Congestion Costing Critique: Critical Evaluation of the 'Urban Mobility Report,' Victoria Transport Policy Institute (http://www.vtpi.org/UMR_critique.pdf ). Todd Litman, (2013), "Smarter Congestion Relief In Asian Cities: Win-Win Solutions To Urban Transport Problems," Transport and Communications Bulletin for Asia and the Pacific, United Nation's Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, No. 82, pp. 1-18 (http://www.unescap.org/ttdw/Publications/TPTS_pubs/bulletin82/b82_Chapter1. pdf ) Todd Litman (2013), Factors to Consider When Estimating Congestion Costs and Evaluating Potential Congestion Reduction Strategies, submitted for publication in the ITE Journal (http://www.vtpi.org/ITE_congestion.pdf ). Todd Litman (2013), "Smarter Congestion Solutions in 2014," Planetizen (http://www.planetizen.com/node/66677 ) Sincerely, Todd Litman Victoria Transport Policy Institute (www.vtpi.org) litman@vtpi.org facebook.com/todd.litman Office: 250-360-1560; Mobile: 250-508-5150 1250 Rudlin Street, Victoria, BC, V8V 3R7, CANADA "Efficiency - Equity - Clarity"