[sustran] VTPI News - Fall 2017
Todd Litman
litman at vtpi.org
Tue Dec 5 03:01:23 JST 2017
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VTPI NEWS
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Victoria Transport Policy Institute
"Efficiency - Equity - Clarity"
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Fall 2017 Vol. 17, 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 (www.vtpi.org ) has many resources addressing a
wide range of transport planning and policy issues. VTPI also provides
consulting services.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEW VTPI REPORTS
===================
"Evaluating Public Transit Criticism: Systematic Analysis of Political
Attacks on High Quality Transit and How Transportation Professionals Can
Effectively Respond" (http://www.vtpi.org/railcrit.pdf ). High quality
public transit, such as urban rail and Bus Rapid Transit, and Transit
Oriented Development (TOD), can provide many benefits, including direct
benefits to users and indirect benefits to other members of society. There
is evidence of growing consumer demand for these options. As a result, many
communities are investing significant resources to improve transit services
and encourage TOD. A small but vocal group of critics attack these efforts.
Critics argue that transit service improvements attract few riders, provide
few benefits, are not cost effective, and are unfair to low-income residents
and motorists. This report systematically evaluates these claims. Many of
the critics' arguments are based on inaccurate, incomplete or biased
information. This report describes appropriate responses to inaccurate
criticisms. This should be of interest to transportation professionals,
public transit advocates, and anybody interested in determining optimal
investments in transit service improvements and TOD.
"A New Traffic Safety Paradigm" (http://www.vtpi.org/ntsp.pdf ). Despite
decades of effort to increase traffic safety, motor vehicle accidents
continue to impose high costs, particularly in the U.S. New strategies are
needed to achieve ambitious traffic safety targets such as Vision Zero.
Recent research improves our understanding of how transportation and land
use factors affect traffic risks, and therefore how transport and
development policy decisions can help increase safety. Applying this
knowledge requires a paradigm shift: The current paradigm favors targeted
safety programs that reduce special risks such as youth, senior and impaired
driving, a new paradigm recognizes that all vehicle travel imposes risks,
and so supports vehicle travel reduction strategies such as more multi-modal
planning, efficient transport pricing, Smart Growth development policies,
and other TDM strategies.
"Greenhouse Gas Reductions and Implementation Possibilities for Pay-to-save
Transportation Price-shifting Strategies" (www.vtpi.org/G&E_GHG.pdf and
www.vtpi.org/Greenberg&Evans_GHG_Policies.pdf ), by Allen Greenberg and John
(Jay) Evans. This report and presentation estimate the GHG emissions
reductions that could be achieved by a bundle of price-shifting policies (no
net increase in consumer costs), including pay-as-you-drive-and-you-save
(PAYDAYS) car insurance, parking cash-out, and the conversion of new vehicle
sales taxes to mileage taxes designed to raise equivalent revenue. These
policies could be implemented by federal or state legislation or regulation.
The analysis indicates that this package could reduce over two-thirds of the
emission reductions provided by the EPA's current Clean Power Plan Rule, and
far more than the emissions reductions by a $50 per ton CO2e surcharge on
transportation fuels.
"Pay-As-You-Drive Insurance in BC - Backgrounder"
(http://vtpi.org/PAYD%20in%20BC%20Backgrounder.pdf ). 'Pay-As-You-Drive
(PAYD) insurance is the best transportation policy reform you've probably
never heard of.' This short report describes why and how to implement PAYD
insurance pricing for affordability, safety and emission reduction's sake.
This is a timely issue. The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC)
has applied for a 6.4% vehicle insurance rate increase
(http://bit.ly/2BGVH4L ). As an intervener status, Todd Litman can request
information and provide testimony concerning how vehicle travel affects
crash rates, and therefore the actuarial justification for PAYD pricing.
"Reforming Municipal Parking Policies to Align With Strategic Community
Goals" (http://www.vtpi.org/vpr.pdf ). The City of Victoria is currently
engaged in a parking policy review which proposes reducing some off-street
parking requirements. These changes are good, but modest. This short report
identifies much bolder reforms that would better align parking policies with
other community goals. Although written for Victoria, the analysis and
recommendations are appropriate for most municipalities.
* * * * *
PUBLISHED & PRESENTED ELSEWHERE
================================
"Public Transportation's Impact on Rural and Small Towns: A Vital Mobility
Link" (www.trb.org/main/blurbs/176733.aspx). This report by Todd Litman for
the American Public Transportation Association describes the important roles
that public transit plays in small towns and rural communities, current
trends that are increasing these demands, examples of rural community public
transport programs, and responses to common rural transit myths. Public
transportation helps rural communities become more efficient and equitable
by ensuring that all residents, including non-drivers, enjoy independent
mobility and receive a fair share of public spending on transportation
facilities and services. Although public transit serves only a minor portion
of total rural travel, many of those trips are crucial, including access to
healthcare, basic shopping, employment and education. Current demographic
and economic trends are increasing demands for affordable mobility options
in rural communities, including ageing population, high poverty rates and a
large portion of military veterans. Serving these demands can provide
multiple benefits, but many of these benefits tend to be overlooked or
undervalued in formal transportation planning.
'Grounding Urban Walking and Cycling Research in a Political Economy
Framework,' by
Meleckidzedeck Khayesi, Todd Litman, Eduardo Vasconcellos and Winnie
Mitullah, published in "Non-Motorized Transport Integration into Urban
Transport Planning in Africa" (http://bit.ly/2jdFEDP ). This book chapter
examines the political economy that affects urban walking and cycling
policy.
"Transportation for Everyone: A New Accessibility Rating System"
(http://bit.ly/2AMVqPY ). This Center for Sustainable Infrastructure Blog by
Todd Litman describes how to determine whether a transportation system is
multimodal and so can serve diverse users, including people who cannot,
should not or prefer not to drive.
"Determining Optimal Urban Expansion, Population and Vehicle Density, and
Housing Types for Rapidly Growing Cities" (www.vtpi.org/WCTR_OC.pdf ),
published in 'Transportation Research Procedia.' This study by Todd Litman
examines the economic, social and environmental impacts of various urban
development factors including urban expansion, population and vehicle
density, housing type, roadway design and management, and recreation
facility availability. The results are used to create guidelines for urban
development that optimizes for various planning objectives including
openspace (farmland and habitat) preservation, efficient public
infrastructure and services, public health and safety, efficient
transportation, affordability, economic productivity and opportunity, and
urban livability (local environmental quality). This analysis indicates that
to be efficient and equitable, cities should provide diverse housing and
transport options which respond to consumer demands, particularly affordable
housing in accessible, multimodal neighborhoods, and affordable travel
modes, with pricing or roadway management that favor resource-efficient
modes, plus convenient access to parks and recreational facilities.
"How to Do Efficient Congestion Pricing (Or Thoughts on William Vickrey)"
(http://bit.ly/2ASLp4d ). This 'Market Urbanism Website' posting is based on
a summary by Todd Litman (http://www.vtpi.org/vickrey.htm ) of Nobel
Prizewinning economist William Vickrey's recommendations for efficient road
pricing. Without efficient pricing and suitable alternatives, such as high
quality public transit traffic congestion is virtually unavoidable. When
motorists say "no" to efficient road pricing they are saying "yes" to
congestion.
"The Million-Dollar Neighborhood: Walkable Mixed-Use Neighborhoods Can Help
Families Build Wealth"
(https://www.cnu.org/publicsquare/2017/08/07/million-dollar-neighborhood ).
This article in the Congress of New Urbanism's 'Public Square' magazine
summarizes VTPI research on the direct economic benefits to households from
living in Smart Growth communities. Since real estate appreciates and
vehicles depreciate in value, households can significantly increase their
long-term wealth by purchasing a home in a walkable urban neighborhood where
they spend less on transportation and investment more in real estate. A
typical household can gain a million dollars in additional equity over their
working life. It is based on the VTPI report, "Selling Smart Growth"
(www.vtpi.org/ssg ).
"Transportation and the Challenge of Future-Proofing Our Cities"
(http://bit.ly/2w6v5JX ). This 'Governing Magazine' article mentions the
VTPI report, "Autonomous Vehicle Implementation Projections"
(www.vtpi.org/avip ).
Recent Planetizen Blogs (www.planetizen.com/blog/2394 ):
"The Many Problems With Autonomous Vehicles"
(https://www.planetizen.com/blogs/95445 ). Optimists predict that autonomous
vehicles will be a transportation panacea, but there are good reasons to be
skeptical. They may create as many problems as they solve.
"The Future of Mobility in Cities: Multimodal and Integrated"
(https://www.planetizen.com/news/2017/10/95204 ). Ten principles developed
by international non-governmental organizations are designed to guide urban
decision-makers toward the best outcomes for the transition to new mobility
options.
"Responding to Public Transit Criticism"
(https://www.planetizen.com/node/94729 ). Critics often use fallacious
arguments and inaccurate evidence to attack public transit and Transit
Oriented Development. Here are suggestions for responding to their false
claims.
Let's be friends. Todd Litman regularly posts on his Facebook page
(www.facebook.com/todd.litman ). Befriend him now!
* * * * *
UPCOMING EVENTS
=======================
TRB Annual Meeting (www.trb.org )
"Mind the Gap: Can Inclusive Cities Bridge Social Equity Disparities?"
(https://annualmeeting.mytrb.org/Workshop/Details/7790 ), Sunday, 7 January
2018, 1:30 PM-4:30 PM, Convention Center
Todd Litman will discuss qualitative and quantitative measures of
transportation equity in this multifaceted workshop. This analysis is
important because transport planning decisions often have significant equity
impacts.
"Rethinking Sustainability for Agencies: It Is Much More Than Green
Transportation"
(https://annualmeeting.mytrb.org/InteractiveProgram/Details/8227 ), Monday
10:15 AM- 12:00 PM, Convention Center, 152A
NCHRP Report 750 noted that transportation agencies are challenged to build
consensus around balancing short-term cost-effectiveness and long-term
sustainability. Todd Litman will participate in this panel discussion of how
organizations are making a transition to triple bottom-line sustainability.
"Selling Smart Growth" (https://www.nar.realtor ), 9 January, noon-1:00pm,
National Association of Realtors Washington DC headquarters.
Households often make trade-offs between housing and transportation costs:
they can purchase a cheaper house at the urban fringe where they must spend
significantly more on transportation, or pay more for a home in a walkable
urban neighborhood with lower transportation costs. In the short-run the
costs often seem equal, but motor vehicles rapidly depreciate in value while
urban real estate tends to appreciate, so shifting expenditures from
transportation to housing tends to generate long-term household wealth. This
presentation will discuss ways to measure and communicate the direct
economic benefits to households, businesses and local communities that
result when households choose Smart Growth, based on the report "Selling
Smart Growth" (www.vtpi.org/ssg).
* * * * *
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT
=======================
"Why Transit Oriented Development? Benefits for Everyone!" by Todd Litman,
keynote presentation at the Eighth International Symposium on Transportation
Demand Management (http://2017tdm.ntu.edu.tw ).
"What's So Good About EcoMobility? Understanding Co-Benefits"
(http://bit.ly/2xTNpYR ), presented at the 2017 EcoMobility Festival
(http://www.ecomobilityfestival.org ). Also see the "Kaohsiung Strategies
for the Future of Urban Mobility" (http://bit.ly/2BIW9Qa ), a twelve-step
program to creating more inclusive, livable and sustainable communities.
* * * * *
USEFUL RESOURCES
=================
"Inclusionary Housing Calculator" (http://inclusionaryhousing.org/calculator
) can help evaluate development costs and the impacts that factors such as
parking regulations and inclusionary housing policies would have on the
profitability of development in a particular situation. For more discussion
see: http://bit.ly/2wj6IWl .
Urban Amenity and Livability (http://bit.ly/2iNytp9 ), by the Australian
Transport and Infrastructure Council (https://atap.gov.au ). The Australian
Transport Assessment and Planning (ATAP) Guidelines provide guidance for
transportation project Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) and appraisal. These now
include guidance on how to evaluate the extent to which community design
supports quality of life, health and the general well-being of residents.
The Guidance describes practical approaches and implementation of these
impacts into Cost-Benefit Analysis.
"It's Official: Mexico City Eliminates Mandatory Parking Minimums"
(http://bit.ly/2ihUmJk ). Mexico City has taken a step that many urbanists
advocate: they've eliminated parking minimums. "The policy change applies to
every land use and throughout the entire city of 8.8 million residents,"
Angie Schmitt reports for Streetsblog USA. "The old rules mandated parking
even though only about 30 percent of Mexico City residents own cars and the
city has a well-developed subway system." Backers say this change will
encourage more development around transit and save money for those renters
and home buyers who are not interested in parking.
"Forbidden City: How Los Angeles Banned Some of its Most Popular Buildings"
(http://bit.ly/2f80h2q ). L.A.'s forbidden city consists of the many
buildings that we inhabit, use and care about but that are illegal to build
today. Some of Los Angeles' most iconic building types, from the bungalow
courts and dingbats common in our residential neighborhoods to Broadway's
ornate theaters and office buildings, share this strange fate of being
appreciated, but for all practical purposes, banned.
"Automobile Dependency as a Barrier to Vision Zero: Evidence from the States
in the USA" (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2017.07.012 ), by Hamed Ahangari,
Carol Atkinson-Palombo and Norman Garrick, in 'Accident Analysis and
Prevention.' Using sophisticated statistical analysis of U.S. crash rates
this study found that the most important factors were Vehicles per Capita
and Vehicle Miles Traveled, that state-level traffic fatality rates decline
with urban density and walking rates, and there is little evidence that
conventional traffic safety strategies, such as graduated driver's license
programs, provide significant safety benefits.
"New Mobility Playbook" (http://bit.ly/2zLX6pr ), Seattle Department of
Transportation.
This guidebook identifies integrated policies and strategies to foster new
mobility options while prioritizing safety, equity, affordability, and
sustainability.
"The Not-so-Secret Trick to Cutting Solo Car Commutes: Charge for Parking by
the Day" (http://bit.ly/2iLwp0R ), published in the Seattle Times. Charging
for parking by the day, not by the month, is one of the most powerful tools
that employers have to spur their employees not to drive alone to work.
"Kicking the Drive-alone Habit has been Key to Seattle's Economic Boom"
(http://bit.ly/2kkFVZ6 ) and "Seattle Businesses Buy into the Vision of a
Transit-driven Economy," (http://bit.ly/2iLE8Mp ). These articles by
<https://mobilitylab.org/2017/11/07/kicking-drive-alone-habit-key-seattles-e
conomic-boom/#author-destination> Ethan Goffman describe the economic
efficiency gains provided by Seattle's multimodal transportation planning.
"The Relationship Between Pedestrian Connectivity and Economic Productivity
in Auckland's City Centre" (http://bit.ly/2wc0VS1 ). This study for the
Auckland Council investigates the contribution that walkability makes toward
urban economic productivity by facilitating face-to-face interactions that
increase knowledge generation and sharing. It found statistically
significant positive associations between pedestrian accessibility and
labour productivity, and so concluded that city center walkability
improvements support economic development.
"Commute Mode Diversity and Public Health: A Multivariate Analysis of 148 US
Cities" (https://doi.org/10.1080/15568318.2017.1321705 ) by Chad Frederick,
William Riggs and John Hans Gilderbloom, published in the 'International
Journal of Sustainable Transportation.' Analyzing transportation and health
indicators in 148 mid-sized U.S. urban areas, this study found significantly
better health outcomes where fewer commuters drive alone to work, and that
multimodal transportation planning (improving walking, cycling and public
transit) can significantly improve public health.
"America's Addiction to Automobiles: Why Cities Need to Kick the Habit and
How" (http://publisher.abc-clio.com/9781440852817 ), by Professor Chad
Frederick. This new book uses detailed quantitative analysis to measure the
impacts of motor vehicle travel on urban livability, public health and
economic equality, examines ways that public policies contribute to
excessive automobile dependency, and describes various policy responses. The
book argues that multimodal and auto-dependent cities are categorically
different kinds of city, and there are fundamental conflicts between higher
rates of automobile travel and healthy community planning objectives.
"Reducing Speeds for Better Mobility and Quality of Life"
(http://bit.ly/2jL75Vd ) by Carlos Felipe Pardo. This lecture discusses the
impacts of excessive urban traffic speeds and how speed management can
increase efficiency and livability.
"Problems and Prospects of Curbside Parking in Lahore: Policy Implications
for Effective Management" (http://bit.ly/2ns0ELN ). This article by Salman
Sabir and Ghulam Abbas Anjum examines why and how to improve curbside
parking regulations and public transport to reduce parking problems in
Lahore, India.
"Street Mobility Project" (www.ucl.ac.uk/street-mobility ), includes several
reports and a Toolkit for measuring community severance (roads that create
barriers to walking and cycling) and improving walking conditions,
particularly for seniors.
"Cruel Musical Chairs (or, why is the rent so high?)" by the Sightline
Institute (http://bit.ly/2nsGAsv ). This fun Sightline Institute video
explains how increasing housing supply can increase housing affordability
for everyone, including people who cannot afford new homes.
"Cycling Towards a More Sustainable Transport Future" (http://bit.ly/2vOrWLy
). This editorial by John Pucher and Ralph Buehler published in 'Transport
Reviews' describes progress in improving cycling conditions and encouraging
cycling activity in many cities around the world.
"Bus Stop Urban Design" (www.kjzhang.com and http://bit.ly/2AuUP33 ). This
information by Kevin Jingyi Zhang aims to improve the waiting environment of
bus stops and their adjacent neighbourhoods through the development and
application of 9 design techniques.
"Demystifying Compact Urban Growth: Evidence From 300 Studies From Across
the World" (http://bit.ly/2w3mHZa ). This review by Gabriel Ahlfeldt and
Elisabetta Pietrostefani for the Coalition for Urban Transitions found
significant positive effects of economic density (the number of people
living or working in an area) and land use mix and recommend policies that
maximize benefits and minimize costs of urban infill, to ensure efficient
and equitable access in compact cities.
"Mapping The Effects Of Parking Minimums" (http://bit.ly/2An6tyZ ). This
article by Josh McCarty uses concrete data to illustrate the economic harms
caused by parking minimums.
"Streets Wide Shut - A Principle for Urban Streets" (http://bit.ly/2Bw4c1E
). This article by Professor David Levinson proposes an urban design
principle: 'No street should carry more than four lanes of private vehicle
traffic in a city. No more than two of those lanes should go in the same
direction. Most streets should be three, two, or one lane wide.'
* * * * *
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 Litman (litman at vtpi.org)
Victoria Transport Policy Institute (www.vtpi.org)
Office: 250-360-1560 | Mobile: 250-508-5150
1250 Rudlin Street, Victoria, BC, V8V 3R7, CANADA
Efficiency - Equity - Clarity
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