[sustran] VTPI News - Fall 2018

[Todd Litman]

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                 VTPI NEWS

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              Victoria Transport Policy Institute

              "Efficiency - Equity - Clarity"

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              Fall 2018    Vol. 18, 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.

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PUBLISHED ELSEWHERE

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"The Surprising Power of Parking Management" (https://bit.ly/2SzKRVT ). This
Reinventing Parking podcast includes a discussion by Paul Barter and Todd
Litman concerning how parking management can help solve diverse urban
problems. Put simply, conventional development practices require housing for
cars not people, resulting in 2-6 off-street parking spaces per vehicle and
a shortage of affordable housing. More efficient management can reduce the
number of parking spaces needed to serve a destination, providing huge
savings and benefits. Everybody wins!

 

"The Best Tool for Reducing Traffic Deaths? More Transit!"
(https://bit.ly/2QgB6yZ ). This StreetBlog column uses research from the
report, "A Hidden Traffic Safety Solution" (
<https://disq.us/url?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F2DS23z6%3AJdYDBd86I24iMyVZrw
o_Ilgdfgw&cuid=733168> https://bit.ly/2DS23z6 ). "A New Traffic Safety
Paradigm" (
<http://disq.us/url?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vtpi.org%2Fntsp.pdf%3AQ61Olh-IQNmq4
mBqrofTiWOj1Xo&cuid=733168> www.vtpi.org/ntsp.pdf ), provides additional
information on the traffic safety benefits of more multimodal transport
planning. 

 

"CityLab University: Induced Demand" (https://bit.ly/2Sy8rCd ). When
traffic-clogged highways are expanded, additional trips generally fill much
of the increased capacity. This article is based on our report, "Generated
Traffic: Implications for Transport Planning"
(http://www.vtpi.org/gentraf.pdf ).

 

"Educated Millennial Population Growth in Cities and Its Impact on
Transportation" (https://bit.ly/2Pjgj8R ), by Sam Schwartz and Julia Fiore.
This ITE Journal article describes the growing number of younger urban
residents who want more affordable housing and transport options, based on
VTPI's affordability research (http://www.vtpi.org/aff_acc_hou.pdf ).

 

"Why the Transportation Energy Intensity of Buildings Matters"
(https://bit.ly/2E9B455 ), by Alex Wilson and Paula Melton. This Building
Green study points out that the energy used traveling to and from buildings
("transportation energy intensity") often exceeds the energy used to run
them, so accessible location is essential for truly efficient buildings.

 

"Rural Multimodal Planning: Why and How to Improve Travel Options in Small
Towns and Rural Communities" (https://bit.ly/2G5OtO9 ).  This report that
explores why and how to implement more multimodal planning in rural areas
and small towns. Current trends are increasing demand for non-auto travel
options in rural communities, including aging populations, rising poverty,
growing health and safety concerns, and growing tourist industries. 

 

"True Affordability: Critiquing the International Housing Affordability
Survey" (http://www.trb.org/main/blurbs/178166.aspx ). This report
critically evaluates the International Housing Affordability Survey, which
rates regional housing prices relative to incomes. 

 

"Quantifying Social Costs and Benefits to Guide Individual Action"
(https://bit.ly/2yODulZ
<https://bit.ly/2yODulZ?fbclid=IwAR3c7ja1emEakkOEomIOy_hJuvIAGEhZzRA9XVXQvCQ
EbBIzjf8jVcVrCww>  ), by CityFi. This column uses VTPI analysis to compare
the external costs of various transport modes, as a way to communicate the
value of choosing more resource-efficient transport options.

 

"Cities Can Save $17 Trillion by Preventing Urban Sprawl"
(https://bit.ly/2Dyx6Cr ) by the World Resources Institute. This column
describes research in the New Climate Economy report, "Unlocking the
Inclusive Growth Story of the 21st Century," which identifies practical ways
to reduce climate emissions and achieving economic development and social
equity goals. It uses data from the 2015 report, "Analysis of Public
Policies That Unintentionally Encourage and Subsidize Urban Sprawl"
(https://bit.ly/1lWmroP ), which estimated that sprawl is conservatively
estimated to cost the US at least 7% of national GDP. This report provides
an encouraging message: environmental protection can be achieved in ways
that increase economic efficiency, productivity and opportunity. 

 

"The Effects of Long Commutes and What To Do About Them: An Annotated
Bibliography" (https://bit.ly/2Ptvo94 ), for CloseCommute Systems
(www.closecommute.com ). Closer Commutes identifies ways to reduce commute
travel in multi-worksite employers, which collectively employ about 40% of
the urban workforce.

 

Recent Planetizen Blogs (www.planetizen.com/blog/2394 ):

 

"Planning for Crime Reduction" (https://www.planetizen.com/blogs/101826 ).
Few issues are more emotional, and therefore vulnerable to bad analysis,
than urban crime risk. Solid research indicates that more compact and mixed
development tends to increase neighborhood security. Jane Jacobs was right!
This column includes some original analysis which compares murder, homicide
and suicide rates by community type, which indicates that large cities have
lower total risk than smaller cities, towns and rural areas. This indicates
that Smart Growth is safer as well as healthier.

 

"Dynamic Planning for Affordability"
(https://www.planetizen.com/blogs/100402 )

Conventional planning is static, designed to lock in existing land use
patterns. We need more dynamic planning to respond to changing household
needs and community goals.

 

"Win-Win Solutions for Climate Protection and Health"
(https://www.planetizen.com/blogs/100874 ). The Call to Action on Climate
and Health is an ambitious plan to achieve both global climate and health
goals. Planners can help identify win-win solutions that provide multiple
benefits and so can build broad implementation coalitions.

 

"How Filtering Increases Housing Affordability"
(https://www.planetizen.com/blogs/100293 ). Good research indicates that
building middle-priced housing increases affordability through "filtering,"
as some lower-priced housing occupants move into more expensive units, and
over time as the new houses depreciate and become cheaper.

 

Let's be friends. Todd Litman regularly posts on his Facebook page
(www.facebook.com/todd.litman ). Befriend him now!

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BEEN THERE - DONE THAT

======================

"Urban Planning for Future Regional Sky Transit"
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6B0QnjxWfw ). Video of May 12 presentation
at the 2018 Sustainable Aviation Symposium concerning the potential benefits
of urban air taxis.

 

"City Talks Panel: Alternative Urbanisms in Victoria"
(https://bit.ly/2QhQgUZ ). 

The University of Victoria's Fall City Talks series kicked off September 20
with a panel discussion on alternative urbanisms including youth-driven
indigenous land restoration, Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women
of Colour, urban place-making, affordable Infill, and anarchist festivals.

 

"Driving Change: Technology and the Future of the Automated Vehicle"
(https://bit.ly/2GwHvO2 ). Report includes evidence presented by Todd Litman
to the Canadian Senate Committee on Transport and Communications concerning
autonomous vehicle implementation. 

 

"Healthy Solutions to Climate Risks" presented September 12 at the Global
Climate and Health Forum (www.globalclimateandhealthforum.org ), part of the
Global Climate Action Summit ( <http://www.globalclimateactionsummit.org/>
www.globalclimateactionsummit.org ) in San Francisco.  This presentation
highlighted win-win strategies that can reduce climate change emissions and
achieve other health objectives including reduced local pollution, increased
physical activity and fitness, reduced traffic accidents, and increased
affordability and inclusivity.

 

"Preparing for A Changing Mobility Future: Emerging Planning Issues"
(https://cura.osu.edu/nov9 ). November 9 presentation at Ohio State
University Center for Urban and Regional Analysis (CURA). Includes video. 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

=======================

98th Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, January 13-17, 2019, in
Washington, DC. We will participate in several related events:

"Transportation Camp, DC" (http://transportationcamp.org/events/dc2019 )

Saturday, January 12, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM, Catholic University of America.

A participatory "non-conference" that explores innovative transportation
solutions.

'Multiple Perspective Gender Sensitive Quantitative and qualitative Data
Analysis' in "Bridge the Gap: Eliminating Gender Bias in Transportation
Research" Workshop (https://annualmeeting.mytrb.org/Workshop/Details/10999
). 

Date: Sunday, January 13, 2019 Time: 9:00 AM-12:00PM.

 

'Win-win Transportation Emission Reduction Strategies' in "New Paradigm for
Managing Emissions from Transportation Sources"
(https://annualmeeting.mytrb.org/Workshop/Details/10979 ). 

Date: Sunday, January 13, 2019 Time: 9:00 AM-12:00PM

 

"ITDP Sustainable Transport Award Ceremony" (https://www.itdp.org )

Date: Tuesday, January 15, Time: 6:30-8:30pm, Walter E. Washington
Convention Center, Ballroom C. A fun and inspiring event!

 

"Transforming Transportation 2019"
(http://www.transformingtransportation.org ).

January 17th - January 18th, 09:00 am - 17:00 pm, World Bank, Washington DC.
This is an opportunity to learn and share with transportation practitioners
from around the world.

                 *    *    *    *    *

 

USEFUL RESOURCES

=================

"Healthy Housing for All: How Affordable Housing is Leading the Way"
(https://bit.ly/2QhhpaA ). This Urban Land Institute Building Healthy Places
Initiative report explores how affordable and mixed-income developments can
improve health outcomes. 

 

"Kingston's Double-digit Ridership Growth Over the past Few Years is Unusual
" https://bit.ly/2zKPGou ). Express buses, new route planning, and working
with major employers can increase small city transit ridership. 

 

"Modernizing Mitigation: A Demand-Centered Approach" (https://bit.ly/2TCxtBD
). This new guidebook by the State Smart Transportation Initiative and the
Mayors Innovation Project, describes how to implement Transportation Demand
Management (TDM) solutions to mitigate traffic impacts in particular
situations. This is timely. Many jurisdictions, including California
(https://bit.ly/2TCcAq6
<https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F2TCcAq6%3Ffbclid%3DIw
AR2RAFm98TMhlVni4L81f04B_pdxl8UUwgMMEDBe8ZC4JiIzslRYAWvEbZw&h=AT0d3R-FjfgL1A
aY42yqnyrlYmZiAk3tiYPR10uQcMnrcuAj-yXbjuOQFuFqpPEV1WwPRecgTWmqhPAr758-qnvqLe
JAGNyp1EDXNpOJU3sLwl5GU5vOx5f5Xq_JVX53_A6HYlSiDTa4jRkLjO4sEUx2ZS14>  ),
Seattle (https://bit.ly/2KsE1i9
<https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F2KsE1i9%3Ffbclid%3DIw
AR0vPx-V3KfvseEfAcL5TxxG64B8yXNcuVJfdsRSUvGhxjKPRQm_2g-apZY&h=AT2VAV8BZ39pwd
V6i1RNb71aswA493EGsbgni1mRHdXYCXoWyHzEu3d9EzLuq2l59ZeYYCwCOCK3A3Az5MRMyYl38Q
QWMWEUdzVuvhrcbne8TIMDOL-fExLEsteRhmcYgVqXfG6ZilHzfO5IexTOsc0YhiLN>  ), and
Portland (https://bit.ly/2OWzTri
<https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F2OWzTri%3Ffbclid%3DIw
AR1K4adry1BmO1Gvz0me0TiHVoXojC8XIwKfyIjyY4OvLccW7fZqMpKulGo&h=AT3ro8HDtGcD0T
ym_5YZUJELV4QiqFY47Sfah7tiWbRlvOa12RcErfuCEUP4Fxb035s08AVW0clRt1dj83U6m4GSh-
RQSX0tiDoWKGe8bYTeD5I98msAqB3uX7OHZGuHNGQDm8c8sucdpsuZj8WLKPItUZePTJA7vpnCR9
wAXw>  ), have vehicle travel reduction targets, and consumer surveys
(https://bit.ly/2IaBgDp ) indicate that many people want to live in walkable
neighborhood where they can drive less and rely more on non-auto modes. TDM
strategies respond to those growing demands. Advice to young planners: if
you want job security become an expert in TDM planning and evaluation
(www.vtpi.org/tdm ). The future belongs to the efficient!

 

"2018 Voluntary National Reviews: Showcasing the Critical Role of the
Transport Sector to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals"
(http://www.slocat.net/vnr2018 ). This report analyzes how transport
policies affect the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

 

"Accessibility in Practice: A Guide for Transportation and Land Use Decision
Making" (https://bit.ly/2SsVZ6O ) by the State Smart Transportation
Initiative. This report describes methods for evaluating access to
destinations for local and reginal planning purposes.

 

"The Difference Between Mobility and Accessibility" (https://bit.ly/2qdr2rr
), by Daniel Herriges. Mobility refers to the distance you can travel in a
given time period, accessibility refers to the number of destinations and
activities you can reach in that time. The most productive places tend to be
mobility-poor but access-rich.

 

"Equity and Mobility" (https://bit.ly/2MtaBEB ), by engineer and illustrator
Ryan Martinson, published in 'Transportation Talk,' the journal of the
Canadian Institute of Transportation Engineers. This 12-page comic can help
practitioners understand and apply social equity concepts in transport
planning.

 

"25 Great Ideas of New Urbanism" (https://bit.ly/2G18IfG ). This free
204-page book by the Congress for New Urbanim (CNU) provides detailed
information on innovative concepts that positively influenced planning and
development. 

 

"Moving Beyond the Car: Families and Transportation in Vancouver"
(https://bit.ly/2zilrEe ) by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
This report, based on interviews with parents, describes why many families
want alternatives to driving, and how this can be achieved.

 

"Women's Safety and Security: A Public Transport Priority" International
Transport Forum (https://bit.ly/2RF1IXl ). This report examines women's
vulnerability when travelling, particularly by public transport, and ways to
increase their safety, security and comfort.

 

"A Step-by-Step Guide for Fixing Badly Planned American Cities"
(https://bit.ly/2Uwb0qu ). Jeff Speck's new book, "Walkable City Rules"
(https://islandpress.org/book/walkable-city-rules )  describes why and how
to improve urban walkability. For inspiration see, "
<https://www.theguardian.com/cities/series/walking-the-city> Walking the
City. 'For Me, This is Paradise.' Life in the Spanish City that Banned Cars"
(https://bit.ly/2B1aB6s).

 

"Walking + Cycling in Vancouver 2016 Report Card" (https://bit.ly/2ES0Dtf ).
This comprehensive report evaluates Vancouver's outstanding active transport
program. It includes survey results indicating that walking, bicycling and
public transit are 'social modes,' users have more friendly interactions
than automobile occupants (although you probably knew that already!).

 

Two excellent books by Professor David Levinson, are now available free:

"The End of Traffic and the Future of Access: A Roadmap to the New Transport
Landscape" (http://hdl.handle.net/2123/18972 ). This book discusses the
concept of 'access' and its implications for more efficient and equitable
cities.

"Spontaneous Access: Reflexions on Designing Cities and Transport"
(http://hdl.handle.net/2123/18973 ). This book describes how to create a
'spontaneous city' that allows people to do what they want, when they want? 

 

"Core Elements for Vision Zero Communities" (https://bit.ly/2rowiZw ). This
Vision Zero Network report can help practitioners and communities identify
and implement practical ways to improve traffic safety. 

 

"Investing in Walking, Biking, and Safe Routes to School: A Win for the
Bottom Line" (https://bit.ly/2SFfdqb ). "Complete Streets Policies + Bicycle
+ Pedestrian Plans: Key Tools for Supporting Healthy, Active Communities"
(https://bit.ly/2BWNNqf ).  These two reports for the Safe Routes to School
National Partnership describe why and how to create communities where
students can safely walk and bicycle to schools, including strategies for
building local political support.

 

"Why Cities Must Tackle Single-Family Zoning" (https://bit.ly/2QDU6Hm ), by
Benjamin Schneider.  As cities wake up to their housing crises, the problems
with single-family-home residential zoning will become too egregious to
ignore.

 

"Central City in Motion Plan Adopted by Portland City Council"
(https://bit.ly/2QHDv5j ). This article describes how Portland's Central
City in Motion Plan (https://bit.ly/2G0PiHM ) will give more give priority
to space-efficient modes in order to increase efficiency and equity.

 

"Report: Transit Attracts, Retains Jobs in Cities" (https://bit.ly/2QIDkqo
). This report by the Chicago Metropolitan Planning Commission indicates
that high quality transit helps attract and retain jobs by reducing consumer
costs, traffic congestion, pollution and traffic accidents. 

 

"Quantifying Co-benefits in Asia: Method and Applications"
(https://bit.ly/2Swljsz ). This report gives policymakers and practitioners
tools for predicting how climate change emission reduction strategies can
help achieve other strategic development goals. Also see the Asian
Co-benefits Partnership (http://www.cobenefit.org ), which supports
information-sharing and coordination concerning co-benefits of various
emission reduction strategies. 

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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 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