From christinelaurence at pacific.net.au Sun Mar 1 13:25:39 2009 From: christinelaurence at pacific.net.au (Christine Laurence) Date: Sun, 1 Mar 2009 15:25:39 +1100 Subject: [sustran] road safety campaigns in the Philippines? Message-ID: <5EB071DE25A149319B10BE36A09E6B7E@Laptop> Hi there, A friend who makes documentaries is currently working in the Philippines and interested in preparing a road safety TV ad for his local area. I think his main interest is wearing motor cycle helmets. Can anyone point me in the direction of any relevant campaigns, information sources etc? Thank you. Christine Laurence -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090301/cec0d7a3/attachment.html From eric.britton at ecoplan.org Tue Mar 3 11:43:29 2009 From: eric.britton at ecoplan.org (Administrative User) Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 03:43:29 +0100 Subject: [sustran] "World Streets" - on your doorstep this morning Message-ID: <40cf01c99baa$b124e2e0$136ea8a0$@britton@ecoplan.org> Paris, 2 March 2009 Dear friends and colleagues around the world, Today, March 2nd 2009, is the opening day of a new 21st century newspaper devoted to concise and independent reporting on leading edge developments in the field of sustainable transportation worldwide. Entitled World Streets you can pick it up for the first time this morning at http://www.worldstreets.org. This collaborative initiative of the New Mobility Agenda can be described in a few words as follows: 1. Authoritative information on leading edge thinking and practice in the field of sustainable transportation, world-wide. 2. Focusing on transport in cities 3. Tackling above all the challenges of how to achieve big, fast greenhouse gas reductions 4. On the lookout for measures, projects and policies that are going to pay off within two to four years. Our goal is to make World Streets focused enough, concise enough, and interesting enough to be worthy of your attention on a regular basis. World Streets is the latest collaborative project of the New Mobility Agenda , an active force for change and improvement in the transport sector worldwide since 1988. Stay in touch. As always your comments, inputs, and insights will prove to be our success. Eric Britton Founder and Collaborating Editor World Streets The New Mobility Agenda Technology transforms time and space . . . and our minds New Mobility Partnerships - http://www.newmobility.org & check out World Streets -- www.Worldstreets.org Europe: 8/10 rue Joseph Bara, 75006 Paris, France T: +331 4326 1323 or +339 7044 4179 Skype: ericbritton -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: winmail.dat Type: application/ms-tnef Size: 227305 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090303/f975d833/winmail.bin From eric.britton at ecoplan.org Fri Mar 6 16:27:13 2009 From: eric.britton at ecoplan.org (Eric Britton) Date: Fri, 6 Mar 2009 08:27:13 +0100 Subject: [sustran] World Streets and the Greening of Seville In-Reply-To: <8AA79866DFAE4BD9931C0B264B0606E9@celeron> References: <003f01c99bcc$69797150$3c6c53f0$@britton@ecoplan.org> <8AA79866DFAE4BD9931C0B264B0606E9@celeron> Message-ID: <009701c99e2d$00ba8330$022f8990$@britton@ecoplan.org> Dear friends and colleagues, A quick update on next week in Seville, together with a thought on how it might be useful for you, I have been invited to spend some time in Seville thanks to a kind invitation of the organizers of a conference on public bicycle organized by the office of the city's mayor together with the Spanish network of cities for cycles ( ll Jornadas de la Bicicleta P?blica de la Red de Ciudades por la Bicicleta). You can see the whole story on the conference at www.bicicletapublica.org My participation in the conference will revolve around my providing them a brief analytic reminder on how public bikes have managed to get as far as they have until now, and then to discuss some of the opportunities (and oops-the pitfalls) of planning and implementing such systems. My "authority" for being able to do a reasonable job on this is not only a result of the projects I have worked with and visited (including my four times a day on average adventures with Velib), but also on the extensive reports, brainstorming and information sharing we have had under the World City Bike forum over the last two years (www.citybike.newmobility.org). In parallel with this and the reason for this letter: after some discussion with my Spanish colleagues I decided to be a great opportunity to use my visit there to lay the base for the first of our World Streets City Profiles, reporting on Seville's Transportation Greening Project. In this respect I have the good luck that the organizers are helping me arrange visits and interviews. But now my question to you: Are there one or two things that you might like me to try to report to you on in the final World Streets profile? Likewise, if you have any sources or references that you think might help me do a good job for all our readers and collaborators, now would be a great time for me to have them. After all Streets is a true collaborative effort and this is one more good example of how that can work. A quick word on the next edition of World Streets. If you go to the site -- www.Worldstreets.org -- you will see in the upper left the interim results of a reader poll in which we are asking our visitors to indicate what they feel is the appropriate interval for new editions -- and the winner thus far is the call for a fresh updated series of entries each week. The plan for now therefore is to organize here so that each Monday morning when you get in it will be a fresh copy of Streets on your desk. (Actually for now you have to check into the site to pick it up, though we will shortly figure out how to do this and more convenient manner.) So thanks for sharing your thoughts and questions on Seville -- best done by any other e-mail to editor@Worldstreets.org, and if you do check into Streets give a thought to recording your ideas about how often you think should appear. Saludos cordiales, Eric Britton -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090306/8e9065e6/attachment.html From kanthikannan at gmail.com Fri Mar 6 15:12:54 2009 From: kanthikannan at gmail.com (Kanthi Kannan) Date: Fri, 6 Mar 2009 11:42:54 +0530 Subject: [sustran] Re: Pedestrian Campaign by Mr. Karnik!! Message-ID: <49b0bf09.1e078e0a.1ca9.758e@mx.google.com> Dear all Please read this. Great Stuff!!. We only wish we are able to contact people like Mr. Karnik who can make a difference. :-) Regards Kanthi Power to the pedestrian 5 Mar 2009, 0101 hrs IST, Kiran Karnik, Power to the people, is a slogan now rarely heard. To many, all it means is electrification of homes! Yet, these four words have the force of history behind them. They connote a philosophy, a system of governance, which has swept across the globe, laying low many a king, feudal lord and dictator. Not all autocrats and despots have disappeared yet, but the idea of people?s power has certainly shaken them. Democracy is a necessary means of empowering people; however, to the extent it is restricted to voting, it is far from sufficient. Electoral democracy has many limitations ? even drawbacks ? especially when it degenerates into majoritarianism or unregulated licence. Oppression of the few by the many is, unfortunately, not an unknown by-product of democracy. Ironically, the reverse ? small organised groups of hoodlums holding the majority to ransom (as in many bandhs and strikes) ? is also facilitated by ?democratic freedom? and encouraged by vote-bank politics. If empowerment of every individual is the goal, it is necessary to go beyond mere elections and ensure: participatory democracy; tolerance and encouragement of diversity in life-style and thought; decentralisation of political and economic power; and equitable access to information, communication and education. Decentralisation ? through the creation of a third level of formal governance by constitutional amendments empowering panchayats and urban local bodies ?and the Right to Information Act have, together, given a huge boost to grass-roots democracy and accountability. Potentially, these are revolutionary steps in truly transferring power to the people. Yet, the actual realisation of this is stymied by many obstacles and sometimes contradicted by other measures. The rich and powerful continue to enjoy special privileges and wield influence completely disproportionate to their numbers; they also appropriate a far bigger share of public expenditure than is justified. The plight of the pedestrian is a good metaphor for this. Political netas and corporate leaders are hardly ever seen walking in the streets of our cities (though a few do run on them during marathons). Therefore, pedestrians ? mostly the ubiquitous but indefinable ?common man? ? get short shrift. Over the last few years, the motor car has been getting ever greater precedence over the pedestrian and the cyclist. Footpaths have been shrinking in a flurry of road-widening projects, and even existing cycle-lanes have disappeared. An attempt in Delhi to give precedence to cycles and buses through dedicated lanes (as part of a bus rapid transit system) has met tremendous resistance from motorists. Fortunately, following its success in Delhi, a ?metro? (train) system is now being put in place in major cities. However, one is not sure if this is a genuine recognition of the dire need to create mass public transportation systems, or is merely the flavour of the day. The doubt about decision-makers? serious commitment to efficient public mobility arises from the contrast between the hundreds of crores being spent on fly-overs and road-expansion in cities, and the distinct miserliness and lethargy with regard to procurement of buses and facilities for pedestrians. The priority for cars at the cost of pedestrians is evidenced by the ?free left turn? at traffic signals. While this facilitates the movement of vehicular traffic, the resulting continuous flow means that a pedestrian wanting to cross the road must either be capable of out-running Usain Bolt, or be a great believer in re-incarnation! Pedestrian over-bridges and sky-walks would be solutions but these, unlike the proliferation of fly-overs, are a rarity. Escalators and lifts to help the aged or differently-abled to use overbridges ? where they exist ? are, of course, unaffordable, unlike fly-overs! Pedestrian subways are but few; in Delhi, the aspiring world-class city, they are so filthy and unsafe that no one uses them. This, but naturally, does not bother decision-makers. In contrast, in many cities around the world, the pedestrian is getting increasing importance ? and space. In London ? a second home to many of India?s rich and powerful ? the width of the foot-paths on Oxford Street, for example, is probably double that of the road. Despite the very heavy traffic and constant congestion, no one even thinks of widening the road at the cost of the foot-path. In many other cities, particularly in Europe, large areas are ?pedestrian-only? zones. The result, despite adverse weather for many months in the year, is far more walkers. Most people there walk to and from the nearest station or bus-stop. In contrast, our shrinking, uneven and often non-existent footpaths discourage walking. Those who do walk are often left with no option but to use the road ? disrupting traffic and risking injury. Little wonder that Indians prefer to use a car even for short distances. On the other hand, London and Singapore, amongst other cities, levy steep congestion charges on cars entering designated parts of the city, thereby discouraging use of private transport while reducing pollution and traffic density. In most countries, public authorities and vehicle drivers respect pedestrian rights, giving walkers the right-of-way in many situations. In India, cars run on fuel power, but also on feudal power: they assume almost divine right-of-way everywhere. Government?s actions ? through its investment policy, priorities and its disdain for pedestrians ? reinforce this sense of superiority. Even in Mumbai, a city in which the offspring of the upper-classes too used to travel to school or college by bus or the ?local? (train), the change is perceptible; driven, doubtless, by the neglect and decay of a public transport system trying hard to retain its legendary efficiency. To make ?power to the people? beyond mere clich?, what better way than by empowering pedestrians? Here is an opportunity for the central and state governments to work closely with the third tier, the urban body, and initiate a major exercise in pedestrianisation; to put this in the same class, and with similar priority and resources, as building fly-overs or modernising airport terminals. Industry and civil society must play a major role in shaping this new societal architecture and life-style, one that is environment-friendly and empowering. (The author is a strategy and policy analyst & honorary president, India Habitat Centre) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090306/ce7c2e6a/attachment.html From sudhir at cai-asia.org Fri Mar 6 18:57:46 2009 From: sudhir at cai-asia.org (Sudhir) Date: Fri, 6 Mar 2009 17:57:46 +0800 Subject: [sustran] CAI-Asia Center Job Openings - Transport Specialist Message-ID: *TERMS OF REFERENCE* * * Position Title: Transport Specialist Location: Manila, Philippines with local/international travel Duration of Appointment: Regular staff (3 months probation) Estimated Start Date: April/May 2009 Deadline for Application: 20 March 2009 * * * * * I. **BACKGROUND TO CAI-ASIA * * * The *Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia)* promotes and demonstrates innovative ways to improve the air quality of Asian cities by sharing experiences and building partnerships. CAI-Asia was established in 2001 as a joint initiative of the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and the former United States - Asia Environmental Partnership, and has grown to become the main regional initiative on urban air quality management (AQM). It is part of a global Clean Air Initiative, which also includes sister initiatives for Latin American Cities (CAI-LAC) and in Sub-Saharan Africa (CAI-SSA). The CAI-Asia Center began operating as an independent non-profit organization in 2007, with headquarters in Manila. It is the secretariat of the CAI-Asia Partnership with 120 members, and works together with country networks in eight Asian countries. The CAI-Asia Center has two core programs: the air quality management (AQM) program and the transport program, with clear linkages to health, climate change and energy management. Its flagship event, the Better Air Quality (BAQ) workshop, brings together 1,000 air quality stakeholders. The CAI-Asia Center collects and documents knowledge, convenes stakeholders and influences standards and policies on urban AQM. CAI-Asia's work has contributed to the (a) adoption of stricter vehicle emissions and fuel quality standards in several Asian countries and cities, (b) establishment of processes policy dialogues for regional policy harmonization and acceleration of development of national policies on air quality management; (c) the integration of air quality and sustainable transport in the strategies, policies, loans, and projects of development agencies; (d) increased and accelerated uptake of new technologies and measures to reduce air pollution; (e) improve efficiency and coordination between organizations working on air quality and sustainable transport in Asia; and (f) the allocation of funds towards AQM and sustainable transport. A Transport Specialist is sought under the CAI-Asia Center?s Transport Program. * * *II. ** RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE OF WORK * Under the direct supervision of the Transport Program Manager, the Transport Specialist shall support the implementation of programs and projects of the CAI-Asia Center. *A. **Project Development and Implementation* ? Provide assistance in the implementation of projects on transportation issues (e.g. related to contribution of transportation to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, fuel and vehicle technology as well as fuel economy, and transportation planning and demand management). This includes the preparation of project reports, meeting proceedings, presentations, workshops, conferences and events, including logistical and administrative arrangements ? Provide information and support to CAI-Asia Country Networks in various Asian countries on transportation issues ? Deliver other tasks assigned by the Transport Program Manager and/or Executive Director of the Center *B. **Inputs to Knowledge Management and Capacity Building * * * ? Contribute to the research and profiling of transportation-related studies, policies, projects, initiatives, and other materials relevant for Asia and post on the CAI-Asia website (www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia) and the CitiesACT portal (www.citiesact.org) ? Issue monthly sustainable transport e-newsletters ? Maintain the transport database in the Center ? Write articles for publication and inclusion on the CAI-Asia website *III. **ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND CRITERIA * ? A university degree in environmental sciences, environmental management, natural sciences, engineering, communication, and/or development-related discipline. *An advanced degree in transportation planning and/or engineering is preferred * ? At least 3-5 years experience in transportation ? related issues in Asia ? Knowledge and experience in air pollution and/or greenhouse gas emissions forecasting from the transport sector ? Work experience in developing countries in Asia is an advantage ? Excellent oral and written communication skills, fluency in English, initiative and good interpersonal skills ? Ability to work independently and as part of multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team ? Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications required, and database, statistics software, and website development experience is an advantage *IV. **DURATION AND REMUNERATION * The selected candidate will be appointed for an initial one-year position with a 3-month probationary period, with the possibility of renewal. The basic monthly salary starts at *PhP 86,470.00*, subject to tax imposed by the Government of the Philippines. In addition, social benefits as required under Philippines law will be provided (SSS, PhilHealth and HDMF contributions, and 13th month). Leave entitlements include 24 incentive leave days (paid vacations and sick days) and 11 regular holidays per year. This position is open to applicants with citizenship from Asian countries. In the case of an international recruitment the CAI-Asia Center will pay for one international airfare at the beginning and end of the contract. A modest relocation grant, equivalent to one month net salary will be paid as well. *V. **HOW TO APPLY * Quoting reference application Transport Specialist on subject line, applicants should email their application letter and current CV (as Word attachments) to Ms. Gianina Panopio (gianina.panopio@cai-asia.org), no later than 20 March 2009, 5:00 pm, Manila time. All applicants should state the reasons for their interest in the position, relevant details of qualifications and experience, and contact details for three referees. Only short listed candidates will be contacted. For further information on the position please contact Mr. Herbert Fabian, Transport Program Manager of the CAI-Asia Center at bert.fabian@cai-asia.org. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090306/7183a60f/attachment.html From eric.britton at ecoplan.org Tue Mar 10 18:22:09 2009 From: eric.britton at ecoplan.org (Eric Britton) Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:22:09 +0100 Subject: [sustran] Support World Streets - A new page for New Mobility Message-ID: <1baa01c9a161$b0895660$119c0320$@britton@ecoplan.org> World Streets - Insights from leading thinkers and practitioners around the world Europe: 8/10 rue Joseph Bara, 75006 Paris, France USA: 9440 Readcrest Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90210 Paris, Tuesday, March 10, 2009 Ex. Sum: To support World Streets and the New Mobility Agenda in 2009 . Click here to donate one dollar (or more!). . Need payment help - click here Dear Sustran Friends: We invite you to visit, use and support World Streets and the programs of the New Mobility Agenda over all of 2009. To make your small but important supporting contribution in about two minutes please click here . (If you need payment instructions or help click here). Your initiative will be helpful in several ways. * By making a contribution - large or small - you are sending us a strong signal that what we are doing has value. * Your contributions will help us fund the diversity of our existing programs at the quality level and frequency you are used to. * Despite the many volunteers working with us, our programs are still costly to run and require an annual budget of approximately EUR 100,000. An active contributor base helps us equally to turn to the foundations, agencies, and individuals who can make more sizable contributions to help us make up a significant budget shortfall. Coming from Sustran this is a partially important signal I think. It shows to whoever cares to consider it, that our long term free partnership and collaboration has meaning for you. Enough for you to take the time to make a contrition. For us it is a very big dollar indeed. Some of you have asked how much to give. My short answer is to each according to their means and commitment to our shared concerns. Or I could suggest using a rough Streets equivalent that might ring a bell with you: * The price of a bus ticket * Of a rental bike * Or that tank of gasoline you save just by thinking about it . . . What is most important at this point is for you to sign on to register your concrete expression of interest and concern. Fees: Several friends have asked why we do not simply charge for the information and services our various New Mobility programs render. My answer to that is simple. Since we started these collaborative networking projects, starting in 1988, we decided that everything that comes out of this collaborative work should be entirely free. We wish to remain faithful to this principle. Advertising: Others have made the good suggestion that we should develop additional revenues in support of the sites by bringing in advertising. In a world of ubiquitous advertising, we wish to keep these programs not just free, but free from commercial messages. With your help and support, and that of like-minded individuals, we will remain faithful to these principles and continue to offer quality programs that will help ensure the sustainability of our cities and lives. Thank you in advance for that contribution and support - we couldn't do this without you! Eric Britton The New Mobility Agenda cid:image001.jpg@01C8DAF3.F7EBC130 Technology transforms time and space . . . and our minds New Mobility Partnerships - http://www.newmobility.org & check out World Streets -- www.Worldstreets.org Europe: 8/10 rue Joseph Bara, 75006 Paris, France T: +331 4326 1323 or +339 7044 4179 Skype: ericbritton USA: 9440 Readcrest Drive Los Angeles, CA 90210 T: +1 310 601-8468 Skype : newmobility -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090310/587a92f7/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 12184 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090310/587a92f7/attachment.jpe From eric.britton at ecoplan.org Sat Mar 14 19:14:00 2009 From: eric.britton at ecoplan.org (Eric Britton) Date: Sat, 14 Mar 2009 11:14:00 +0100 Subject: [sustran] World Streets This Week. 2-9 March 2009 Message-ID: <012801c9a48d$9b467600$d1d36200$@britton@ecoplan.org> cid:image001.png@01C9A48B.936B6C30 World Streets This Week. 2-9 March 2009 World Streets on a single page. Highlights selected articles appearing over week, with direct links to full text, illustrations and media. Want more? ? Click to go to www.worldstreets.org ? Click here to subscribe: subscribe@worldstreets.org ? And here to support: www.support.worldstreets.org Welcome to World Streets: -> First time visitors invited to start here The 21st century newspaper that has a single job: to provide you with high quality, readable, concise food for thought, and leads specifically on the topics of sustainable mobility, sustainable cities, and . . >From the Leading Edge: -> America before streets were civilized. Looking back at 2009 from the closing days of Barrack Obama?s presidency, it is sometimes surprising to appreciate how much has changed in the relationship between people, places and traffic, . . . World Streets Profiles: -> Denis Baupin: a driving force to change Paris As transportation chief of the French capital for seven years, Baupin was the force behind the development of Paris's hugely successful bicycle-sharing program, V?lib'. Honk: - >The traffic in your mind Our first-ever Honk! a 42 second video prepared by the Mobizen carshare company, to get across the idea that carsharing is just a bit different from the old way we used to do it, Bad News Department: -> The reported demise of world?s largest city bike project We look at a spate of bad reporting on what is however a legitimate problems threatening public bike sites around the world: vandalism and theft. But as you will see the patient is very much out and around. Cross-Blog Dialogue: ->The No-Excuses Zone Gordon Price from Vancouver introduces the No-Excuse Zone for urban cycling, which he in turn picked up from colleagues in Australia (more evidence of the small world syndrome). >From World Streets Archives: -> Sweden's Vision Zero program Claes Tingvall compares road safety to workplace management. While the employee or citizen, must follow guidelines, it is the responsibility of the employer, or government, to provide a safe environment, Reader Poll: -> Frequency of publication Should Streets be developed as a daily, weekly, monthly, or ad hoc unscheduled publication. Give us your counsel by voting in the Reader Poll that appears to your immediate left. Translating World Streets: -> Reader comments on pros and cons Commentaries thus far on translation quality and usability in Chinese, German, Indonesian, Portuguese and Spanish World Streets Workshop/Laboratory: -> Shortcomings, plans, improvements needed Plenty of room for improvement, Issues and plans here. Reader comments, suggestions invited. Editor's page: -> On Fair Use in World Streets It is the 21st century and information in its various forms travels faster, wider and more freely than ever before, creating ambiguities and issues of intellectual property which are far from being resolved. World Streets, a collaborative project of the New Mobility Partnerships. ? Click here to subscribe: subscribe@worldstreets.org New Mobility Agenda - The Commons - 8 rue Joseph Bara, 75006 Paris, France T: +331 4326 1323 New Mobility Partnerships - 9440 Readcrest Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90210 T: +1 310 601-8468 Please feel free to share. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090314/563d317d/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/png Size: 32922 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090314/563d317d/attachment.png From eric.britton at ecoplan.org Mon Mar 16 16:31:19 2009 From: eric.britton at ecoplan.org (Eric Britton) Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:31:19 +0100 Subject: [sustran] [World Streets] Greening New York: Bicycle safety and infrastructure (Europea... Message-ID: <011a01c9a609$355f6310$a01e2930$@britton@ecoplan.org> On Behalf Of Michael Yeates Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 6:13 AM Subject: World Streets] Greening New York: Bicycle safety and infrastructure (Europea... Click to: http://newmobilityagenda.blogspot.com/2009/03/greening-new-york-bicycle-safety-and_1698.html Thanks for those thoughts and experiences Eric (see below). There are two aspects which my experiences in Europe but also here in Australia have led me to pursue and if not promote, then at least try to get others to quietly but seriously consider. 1. Convenience is as important as safety if not more important: At first this seems completely wrong but in fact if safety is pursued, in most cases, practice shows that convenience is reduced, often to the point where a barrier is created for some if not most. So it may be that in some circumstances where a proposal is made to improve the safety of cyclists or pedestrians that a trade-off for increased convenience and reduced safety may be needed. But have a look at points #1-5 below and it becomes more clear that reducing the danger while improving (or not reducing) the convenience while highly desirable, is not essential. It is maintaining and improving convenience which is both achievable and feasible ... and essential ... albeit not by itself. Improved safety is a likely if not inevitable outcome as can be seen from the following point and other points below. 2. Reclaiming the streets (or reclaiming street space) is not about banning motor vehicles: The 30/20/10 (preferably in km/h NOT mph?) illustrates that there is no need to reclaim street space IF motor vehicles are much less of a problem or threat. More to the point, the speed advantages of motor vehicles are so reduced (ie the "convenience" of motoring is so reduced) that other modes (and what better than cycling?) are then much more likely to be preferred. And when that occurs as it does in many many places world-wide, it becomes obvious that there is no need to "ban" motorists as is implied by "car free" campaigns. Indeed why ban motorists may well be one way to consider this in detail in order to see how other strategies can, and do, work to achieve better outcomes. Of course these and the five below are inter-related but the issue is about getting support for rather getting support against. So why ban motorists if that isn't necessary ie if the desired outcomes can be achieved by sharing the roads/streets? It may come as a bit of a shock to some traffic planners and advocates but there is barely a street, road or freeway on the planet that isn't convenient to use for cyclists so why try to build a separate network other than to allow business as usual in the adjacent road space? Of course it is never quite as simple as that and nothing is ever perfect. Indeed one idea that doesn't get much promotion is the idea of CYCLIST AND PEDESTRIAN PRIORITY on roads and streets. It simply reverses the legal onus and responsibility in favour of peds and cyclists rather than motorists. So if like the hierarchy that places pedestrians first, cyclists second, etc etc, we argue consistently that in principle, urban roads are the spaces for cyclists, as well as for motorists and pedestrians, to share, then solutions such as those in much of Europe but also many places elsewhere become rather self-obvious ... and those that oppose these ideas, more obvious in their motives also. Both good outcomes....! Put another way, there is very little needs be done or money spent on the roads. And what is done can be implemented incrementally ... although the bigger the area, the better because consistency matters. The effort and money is needed to change how we have allowed roads (in particular urban roads) to be used. Indeed the emphasis on changing the roads, being so costly, is almost inevitably counter-productive. We provide reasons for NOT changing how the roads are or could be used. This might still result in some necessary changes to the roads. But then lets not so quickly forget the lessons we learned from Hans Monderman which if applied to cyclists may well necessitate removing some of those comfortable and reliable old "separation" techniques such as separate paths and bike lanes in favour of "sharing the road"? Michael Yeates At 02:57 AM 16/03/2009, you wrote: [ http://newmobilityagenda.blogspot.com/2009/03/slowth.html] The following commentary was made yesterday in response to a discussion on www.LivableStreets.com looking at different approaches to providing cycle paths and other forms of street architecture modifications, major and minor, to protect the cyclist. The discussants were partially looking at this in the context of New York's ongoing vigorous efforts to develop a major cycling program after many years of neglect. Eric Britton Editor, World Streets Lessons learned in Europe International experience at the leading edge, mainly in European cities that are doing the job, put some interesting lessons on the table. For starters, let???s make sure that we do not allow ourselves to get too comfortable too fast. By that I mean I am not at all sure that the best approach to safe cycling is to start by shopping around for the most attractive cycle path designs to be put in your city's streets here or there. I can understand the temptation but we have here a systemic problem which requires more than occasional attractive street architecture. Safe cycling is based on the existence of networks which provide a safe travel environment over the areas and routes most taken by cyclists. By which I mean to say that a lovely cycle facility here and there does not by itself promote safe cycling (in fact conceivably it can make cycling even more dangerous). What is needed from the beginning is without letting up to drive toward that basic network. To accomplish this, it means targeting a solution set that is pretty pervasive, far more so than most plans today even dare aim for. What do you do when what you need to do definitely outstrips the resources, approaches and plans that are traditionally available to you? The only way to do this is to change the rules. That happens in five main parts. 1. Speed reductions: ("Don ???t leave home without them.") The first pillar of new mobility policy is to slow down the traffic on EVERY street in the city. I do not say this lightly and I understand the extent to which this runs against long-standing practices and what people regard as their fair interest. But there is no longer any mystery about this at the leading edge. I do not imagine that there is a competent (note the word) traffic planner today who will argue for top speeds in excess of 30 mph in the city. 30 mph is terrific, and though too fast for safe cycling is something which we can reasonably target for the Main Avenue's and thoroughfares. For the rest a policy of 10/20/30 is feasible, fair and do-able. Once you get over the shock. 2. Reclaim street space: The second prong of the strategy is that the creation of a safe network requires taking over at least portions of a quite large number of streets in the city. This is accomplished in two ways, the first being the alteration of the street architecture, taking over lanes for fully protected cycling. The most popular, parking lane out/bike lane in, often works very nicely when the cycle lanes work against the flow of traffic. The second prong of street reclaiming is the hard edge of speed reductions. In these cases top speeds on the side streets drop to something like 10 to 15 mph, with 10 leading better than 15. Again for most cross-town traffic in Manhattan this should not be a problem. 3. "Occuper le terrain": (French for safety in numbers. ) You are seeing that in New York already, though I have to guess you are not yet at the tipping point on that. But the more people you get out on the street on their bicycles every day, the more that everybody involved moves up a couple of notches day after day in the learning process. The cyclists learn how to behave better to protect themselves in traffic, drivers get accustomed to looking out for those small wavering frail figures, the police learn how to play their part in this learning process, and the system they have today learns and adapts. 4. "Street code": The Highway Code , a collection of laws, advice and best practice for all road users, which mainly functions as a written basis for learning to drive as well as stipulating the letter of the law (licensing, required safety equipment, default rules, etc.) In Europe this happens at a national level, with room in some places for stricter local ordinances. In the US mainly a state prerogative. I understand that you are looking into this for New York. Many European cities are advancing on the idea of establishing a far tougher "street codes" specifically adapted to the special and more demanding conditions of driving in city traffic. This is becoming especially important as we start to see a much greater mix of vehicles, speeds and people on the street. The idea is works is that culpability for any accident on street, sidewalk or public space, is automatically assigned to the heavier faster vehicle. This means that the driver who hits a cyclist has to prove his innocence, as opposed to today where the cyclist must prove the driver's guilt (not always very easy to do). This is not quite as good as John Adams' magnificent 1995 formulation whereby every steering wheel of every car , truck and bus would be equipped with a large sharp nail aimed directly at the driver???s heart-- but it can at least help getting things moving in the right direction. 5. It's a Learning System: Once you start to break the ice to the point where provision of cycling facilities even starts to be an issue, it is probably best to think of the city and the street network as a learning system. And learning of course takes place over time, and if you are lucky leads to a continuous stream of adjustments as you go along. There may be a bit of comfort in that, if you are patient enough, because what it definitely means is that any cycling improvements you can conceivably come up with today has to be thought of not as a solution but as the start of the path. This is very definitely process oriented planning. * * * So we really do know what to do, and we do know that it requires a combination of foresight, originality, guile and pragmatic planning from the beginning. Fortunately there is plenty of international experience which backs this up. Paris is an example of one that I live with and cycle in every day over a decades-long period of steady adaptation and change. It is definitely not Copenhagen or Amsterdam. It is work in progress. Only a few years ago Paris was a city that was planning almost exclusively for cars and yet over the past decade has gradually began to build up a network for safe cycling. Perhaps not so much safe as safer, and the role of the planners here is to use the full cookbook of approaches in a dynamic organic manner so that each day things get a little bit better. Because all this has become part of the culture, the mainstream culture, it is no longer a big deal and so do the good works are able to go on every day. Of course if cycling is your game it would be great to be able to import whole hog those terrific physical infrastructures that are found in Dutch and Danish cities. But this takes decades and I do not see it happening overnight in most US cities, New York among them. What is interesting about the Paris example, and we are certainly not the only one, is the manner in which safe cycling infrastructure is being built up step by step and day by day. We are not yet at the point at which we can feel comfortable with Gil Penalosa's "8 to 80 rule", remember, where cycling is safe for your eight-year-old daughter and your eighty-year-old grandfather. But give us a time and we will get there - and I hope you will too. -- Posted By ericbritton to World Streets at 3/13/2009 05:52:00 PM __,_._,___ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090316/0a835778/attachment.html From eric.britton at ecoplan.org Mon Mar 16 20:17:05 2009 From: eric.britton at ecoplan.org (Eric Britton) Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:17:05 +0100 Subject: [sustran] term limits on World Streets automatic postings here Message-ID: <01c901c9a628$bf022020$3d066060$@britton@ecoplan.org> Dear colleagues, Just to remind you very briefly as indicated at the outset of this month the various materials flowing from our new World Streets project are to be automatically forwarded here only over the course of the month of March. As per 1st April if you wish to continue to follow this aspect of the project, you will need to sign in to the New Mobility Caf?, for which all you need to do is to send a blank letter to NewMobilityCafe-subscribe@yahoogroups.com We hope you find World Streets a good addition to your library and reference system. With all good wishes, Eric Britton -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090316/16df4ee6/attachment.html From sudhir at cai-asia.org Wed Mar 18 12:03:26 2009 From: sudhir at cai-asia.org (Sudhir) Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:03:26 +0800 Subject: [sustran] CAI-Asia Center Job Openings - Transport Specialist In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: please note that Friday is the deadline... :-) *TERMS OF REFERENCE* * * Position Title: Transport Specialist Location: Manila, Philippines with local/international travel Duration of Appointment: Regular staff (3 months probation) Estimated Start Date: April/May 2009 Deadline for Application: 20 March 2009 * * * * * I. **BACKGROUND TO CAI-ASIA * * * The *Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia)* promotes and demonstrates innovative ways to improve the air quality of Asian cities by sharing experiences and building partnerships. CAI-Asia was established in 2001 as a joint initiative of the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and the former United States - Asia Environmental Partnership, and has grown to become the main regional initiative on urban air quality management (AQM). It is part of a global Clean Air Initiative, which also includes sister initiatives for Latin American Cities (CAI-LAC) and in Sub-Saharan Africa (CAI-SSA). The CAI-Asia Center began operating as an independent non-profit organization in 2007, with headquarters in Manila. It is the secretariat of the CAI-Asia Partnership with 120 members, and works together with country networks in eight Asian countries. The CAI-Asia Center has two core programs: the air quality management (AQM) program and the transport program, with clear linkages to health, climate change and energy management. Its flagship event, the Better Air Quality (BAQ) workshop, brings together 1,000 air quality stakeholders. The CAI-Asia Center collects and documents knowledge, convenes stakeholders and influences standards and policies on urban AQM. CAI-Asia's work has contributed to the (a) adoption of stricter vehicle emissions and fuel quality standards in several Asian countries and cities, (b) establishment of processes policy dialogues for regional policy harmonization and acceleration of development of national policies on air quality management; (c) the integration of air quality and sustainable transport in the strategies, policies, loans, and projects of development agencies; (d) increased and accelerated uptake of new technologies and measures to reduce air pollution; (e) improve efficiency and coordination between organizations working on air quality and sustainable transport in Asia; and (f) the allocation of funds towards AQM and sustainable transport. A Transport Specialist is sought under the CAI-Asia Center?s Transport Program. * * *II. ** RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE OF WORK * Under the direct supervision of the Transport Program Manager, the Transport Specialist shall support the implementation of programs and projects of the CAI-Asia Center. *A. **Project Development and Implementation* ? Provide assistance in the implementation of projects on transportation issues (e.g. related to contribution of transportation to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, fuel and vehicle technology as well as fuel economy, and transportation planning and demand management). This includes the preparation of project reports, meeting proceedings, presentations, workshops, conferences and events, including logistical and administrative arrangements ? Provide information and support to CAI-Asia Country Networks in various Asian countries on transportation issues ? Deliver other tasks assigned by the Transport Program Manager and/or Executive Director of the Center *B. **Inputs to Knowledge Management and Capacity Building * * * ? Contribute to the research and profiling of transportation-related studies, policies, projects, initiatives, and other materials relevant for Asia and post on the CAI-Asia website (www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia) and the CitiesACT portal (www.citiesact.org) ? Issue monthly sustainable transport e-newsletters ? Maintain the transport database in the Center ? Write articles for publication and inclusion on the CAI-Asia website *III. **ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND CRITERIA * ? A university degree in environmental sciences, environmental management, natural sciences, engineering, communication, and/or development-related discipline. *An advanced degree in transportation planning and/or engineering is preferred * ? At least 3-5 years experience in transportation ? related issues in Asia ? Knowledge and experience in air pollution and/or greenhouse gas emissions forecasting from the transport sector ? Work experience in developing countries in Asia is an advantage ? Excellent oral and written communication skills, fluency in English, initiative and good interpersonal skills ? Ability to work independently and as part of multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team ? Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications required, and database, statistics software, and website development experience is an advantage *IV. **DURATION AND REMUNERATION * The selected candidate will be appointed for an initial one-year position with a 3-month probationary period, with the possibility of renewal. The basic monthly salary starts at *PhP 86,470.00*, subject to tax imposed by the Government of the Philippines. In addition, social benefits as required under Philippines law will be provided (SSS, PhilHealth and HDMF contributions, and 13th month). Leave entitlements include 24 incentive leave days (paid vacations and sick days) and 11 regular holidays per year. This position is open to applicants with citizenship from Asian countries. In the case of an international recruitment the CAI-Asia Center will pay for one international airfare at the beginning and end of the contract. A modest relocation grant, equivalent to one month net salary will be paid as well. *V. **HOW TO APPLY * Quoting reference application Transport Specialist on subject line, applicants should email their application letter and current CV (as Word attachments) to Ms. Gianina Panopio (gianina.panopio@cai-asia.org), no later than 20 March 2009, 5:00 pm, Manila time. All applicants should state the reasons for their interest in the position, relevant details of qualifications and experience, and contact details for three referees. Only short listed candidates will be contacted. For further information on the position please contact Mr. Herbert Fabian, Transport Program Manager of the CAI-Asia Center at bert.fabian@cai-asia.org. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090318/24d88b54/attachment.html From fekbritton at gmail.com Wed Mar 18 16:20:21 2009 From: fekbritton at gmail.com (ericbritton) Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:20:21 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] [World Streets] Honk! A new Paris? Hang on Message-ID: <1237360821832.230abef9-7580-4672-9bc7-59c7fe131566@google.com> [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/17/arts/design/17paris.html?_r=1&emc=eta1] 12.00 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} I thought this might be a rotten way for you to start your day. Just to let you know that all the dinosaurs are not dead. This chilling Brave New World illustration from an article in today's New York Times. Click here to check it out. The news is not quite as bad as that, this being one of the more outrageous images resulting from an architectural completion commissioned by the government last summer, looking for ideas for Le Grand Paris (the greater Paris region which as yet has no legal entity, but which is marked by very large economic and life quality differences depending on where you live. They selected ten mainly well known architectural firms to have a go. For more you can Google "Le Grand Paris" Perhaps someone might tell me how much do architects actually know and or think about the complex ins and outs of sustainable transportation. A lot? Eric Britton Source and fair use: This article originally appeared in the New York Times of 16 March 2009, by their reporter Nicolai Ouroussoff. You can view their original article here. And click here to view World Street's policy on Fair Use. Comments welcome. -- Posted By ericbritton to World Streets at 3/18/2009 07:56:00 AM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090318/979d7ae0/attachment.html From fekbritton at gmail.com Wed Mar 18 19:08:56 2009 From: fekbritton at gmail.com (ericbritton) Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2009 03:08:56 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] [World Streets] Silent cities Message-ID: <1237370935753.8ee1d7ab-2f01-46f3-8270-92ebdd12c4da@google.com> [http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2001/jul/19/mpsurgery23] [From the New Mobility Cafe of this date.] Here is an idea which might go on the World Streets website but I'd like to run it through this group first.There have been suggestions that electric cars might need to have artificial noise generators to warn pedestrians and cyclists, who rely to a great extent on auditory cues, of their approach. See for example the article of 4 Dec 2008 obtained by searching for "noise vehicle" on .It has occurred to me to ask why not require vehicles to be silent while putting the onus on the drivers to avoid pedestrians and cyclists. The former, if universal, would bring an unimaginable improvement to the quality of life, and not only in cities, because these days many rural areas are as noisy. The latter -- strict liability -- would force motorists to lower their speeds by enough to make the streets safe for all.All surface transport vehicles -- lorries, buses, trains and boats -- would be required to install electric engines. Trains and trolleybuses would run under wires as now, but could also take power to batteries while on the move and thereby run on unwired sections. Solar power from the deserts would be used to ensure that this power was emission-free. Low noise surfaces would be installed on major highways where motorists would be able to go fast. Aviation, where noise is probably inevitable, would be tightly constrained in favour of high speed trains and completely outlawed during the normal hours of sleep.Private vehicles would be subject to a mileage tax in addition to an energy tax (which would be returned to the providers of renewable electricity).There would be problems with people with limited vision, but given that Monderman stated that he thought people should be able to cross the road walking backwards (i.e. with no forward vision) I think these should be soluble. Are there any other problems which would make this vision unfeasible?Simon Norton Cambridge, UK -- Posted By ericbritton to World Streets at 3/17/2009 10:55:00 AM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090318/50223ccc/attachment.html From fekbritton at gmail.com Thu Mar 19 17:32:57 2009 From: fekbritton at gmail.com (ericbritton) Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 01:32:57 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] [World Streets] Carsharing in Japan: Status report Message-ID: <1237451577115.c6f54af3-6cee-482e-88bf-f4ef56e9fed5@google.com> [http://www.ecomo.or.jp/environment/carshare/carshare_list.html] Dear Eric, Please forward this message to the World Carshare Forum and World Streets. According to our survey in January 2009, there were 20 carsharing organizations in Japan and a total of 563 vehicles were being shared by 6396 registered members at 357 car stations.The figure of registered members has doubled since January 2008. You can access the web site of each carsharing organizations from our web site.http://www.ecomo.or.jp/environment/carshare/carshare_list.html Shimpei IchimaruFoundation for Promoting Personal Mobility and Ecological TransportationTokyo, Japan -- Posted By ericbritton to World Streets at 3/19/2009 09:29:00 AM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090319/4560824d/attachment.html From fekbritton at gmail.com Thu Mar 19 22:14:58 2009 From: fekbritton at gmail.com (ericbritton) Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 06:14:58 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] [World Streets] Common sense on "next generation" carsharing - Paris, London ... Message-ID: <1237468497908.73460a44-1508-403f-9811-ea3454807ff5@google.com> [http://www.climatechangecorp.com/content.asp?contentid=6026] [The following piece of this date graciously shared with us by the author and the Climate Change Group ]Could London follow Paris with electric car sharing?]18 Mar 2009 | Author: Toby Procter | - Boris Johnson's electric cars will not be as green as those powered by the French, so why not just hop on a bus instead?Aiming to make London the ?electric capital of Europe?, London Mayor Boris Johnson told the London assembly on 25 February that a working group was considering a plan along the lines of the Autolib? electric car rental scheme planned for Paris for 2010, and wanted to greatly expand support for charging points around London.Johnson hoped for a "sizeable chunk" of the ?250m government funding for electric vehicle initiatives, and added that he wanted to see at least half the 8,000-vehicle fleet owned by the Greater London Authority replaced by electric vehicles as soon as possible, while warning that considerable sums were necessary in order to invest in a technology that is "almost there ... but not quite".Last October, the Paris authorities announced plans for an ?Autolib? electric car-sharing scheme to do on four wheels what the successful V?lib bicycle sharing scheme has done on two. Paris proposes 2,000 EVs to be available from 200 city centre underground car parks and 500 parking bays, and another 2,000 in the city?s suburbs. These vehicles could be booked online, picked up in one bay and left in another at the journey?s end.Electric cars still have teething problems. Problem one is that these cars - some are not technically cars, but ?quadricycles? such as the REVA and Aixam Mega ? are produced in small numbers and cost more than comparable ordinary cars, despite offering limited range, utility and space.Problem two is the infrastructure EVs need, given their batteries? present shortcomings. Most EVs? batteries need recharging for 7-8 hours after around 100 miles. The 40 Elektrobay street-side recharging units already in place in London cost around ?7,500 per unit installed - multiply that by 700 units as with the Paris scheme - and it adds up to a huge sum of cash.Then there?s the cost of telematics and accounting systems and associated hardware to charge users for the ?juice? and the rentals. Elektromotive, the UK firm which has supplied London?s recharging points to date, recently signed an agreement with the Renault-Nissan Alliance, which hopes for global EV market leadership from the launch of its first electric cars in 2012, but solutions to large-scale recharging/parking infrastructure issues remain unproven.London is likely to start, as have some other local authorities, by buying more electric vehicles for the GLA fleet, whose journeys start and end at depots where off-road recharging units can more easily be installed.To date, car sharing clubs have remained small-scale, though in London, the City Car Club saw membership rise 109% last year, and rival Whizzgo?s rose 42%. One such company might take on the management of an EV sharing scheme. But it would provide electric car access only to the few, so might not deserve big subsidies.The question of whether electric cars in London are the greenest option should also be asked. France relies on nuclear energy for around 80% of its electricity and therefore has a much lower carbon electricity supply than the Brits.And according to estimates cited by the French EV maker Aixam, on average people only need cars in London for 4-mile journeys. Might they be better off taking a bus? Improving bus services might cut urban CO2 emissions more efficiently than a token fleet of electric cars available only to the few.However London decides to pump-prime electric transport, the Mayor should reflect on the fact that some of the latest small diesel cars from European manufacturers emit CO2 emissions below 100gm/km, well below the 2012 limit proposed by the EU, and scarcely more than the average 87g/km calculated for electric cars by the UK's King Review of Low Carbon Cars, factoring in the UK?s renewables-poor generation mix. -- Posted By ericbritton to World Streets at 3/19/2009 02:09:00 AM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090319/10a17d74/attachment.html From eric.britton at ecoplan.org Thu Mar 19 23:08:59 2009 From: eric.britton at ecoplan.org (Eric Britton) Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:08:59 +0100 Subject: [sustran] Relaunch of Cities for Mobility Homepage Message-ID: <021e01c9a89c$42c8a4e0$c859eea0$@britton@ecoplan.org> - Spanish and French version below- Dear members and friends of "Cities for Mobility", we are very pleased to announce the relaunch of the homepage of the global network "Cities for Mobility" ( http://www.cities-for-mobility.org). The new site appears in a new design which is modern, colourful, and user-friendly. Thanks to a new and clear structure, the objectives and activities of the network can be identified easier. The new homepage also includes a "latest news" area, informing regularly on interesting news from the network as well as on events, projects and other developments in the field of urban mobility. A special highlight is the new "membersmap" (under Membership) where all member cities of the network are marked. You can see on this map how our member cities are distributed around the world. We hope you will enjoy the new homepage and we are looking forward to receiving your comments on it. Do you like it? Is there anything else you think should be placed on the homepage? Don't hesitate to give us your opinion. You will find on the homepage very soon detailed information on the upcoming Cities for Mobility World Congress that will take place from 14-16 June 2009 in the city of Stuttgart. Hope to see you in June in Stuttgart! Kind regards Your Coordination Office - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Estimados miembros y amigos de "Cities for Mobility", tenemos mucho gusto en anunciarles el relanzamiento de la p?gina web de la red global "Cities for Mobility" ( http://www.cities-for-mobility.org). La nueva p?gina tiene un dise?o moderno, colorido y de f?cil manejo. Gracias a una nueva y clara estructura, se pueden apreciar mas f?cilmente los objetivos y actividades de la red. La nueva p?gina web tambi?n incluye un sector "latest news", en donde se informa regularmente sobre novedades interesantes de la red as? como en general acerca de eventos, proyectos y otros desarrollos en el ?rea de la movilidad urbana. Vale tambi?n la pena destacar el nuevo "membersmap" (bajo Membership) en el cual todas las ciudades que son miembros de la red est?n marcadas. Se puede apreciar en el mapa como est?n repartidos las ciudades miembros alrededor del mundo. Esperamos que disfruten la nueva p?gina web y les agredecer?amos mucho nos env?en sus comentarios. Les gusta la p?gina? Consideran que hay cosas que faltan y que se deber?an incluir? No duden en darnos su opini?n. Encontrar?n muy pronto en la p?gina web informaci?n detallada sobre el Congreso Mundial de Cities for Mobility que se celebrar? del 14 al 16 de junio del 2009 en la ciudad de Stuttgart. Esperamos verlos en junio en Stuttgart. Muchos saludos les env?a su Oficina de Coordinaci?n - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Chers membres et amis de Cities for Mobility Nous sommes tr?s heureux d'annoncer la relance de la page d'accueil du r?seau mondial "Cities for Mobility" ( http://www.cities-for-mobility.org). Le nouveau site appara?t dans une nouvelle conception qui est moderne, color? et facile d'utiliser. Merci ? une nouvelle structure claire, les objectifs et les activit?s du r?seau peuvent ?tre identifi?s de fa?on plus facile. La nouvelle page d'accueil comprend une zone "last news" pour informer r?guli?rement sur de nouvelles int?ressantes sur le r?seau ainsi que sur les ?v?nements, projets et autres d?veloppements dans le domaine de la mobilit? urbaine. Un aspect original est le nouveau "membersmap" (rubrique "membership"), o? toutes les villes membres du r?seau sont marqu?s. Vous pouvez voir sur cette carte, la fa?on dont nos villes sont distribu?es ? travers le monde. Nous esp?rons que vous appr?cierez la nouvelle page d'accueil et nous nous r?jouissons de recevoir vos commentaires. Est-ce que la page vous pla?t? Existe-t-il tout ce que vous pensez doit ?tre plac? sur la page d'accueil? N'h?sitez pas ? nous donner votre avis. Vous trouverez sur la page d'accueil tr?s prochainement des informations d?taill?es sur le Congr?s mondial de Cities for Mobility qui aura lieu le 14-16 Juin 2009 dans la ville de Stuttgart. En esp?rant vous voir en Juin ? Stuttgart. Amicalement votre bureau de coordination ---------------------------------------------------------------------- City of Stuttgart, Mayor's Policy Office Coordination Office "Cities for Mobility" Rathaus, Marktplatz 1 D-70173 Stuttgart Germany Telephone: +49 711/ 216 - 85 01 Fax: +49 711/ 216 - 61 05 E-Mail: cfm@stuttgart.de Website: http://www.cities-for-mobility.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090319/7f4d5b7c/attachment.html From fekbritton at gmail.com Fri Mar 20 01:41:10 2009 From: fekbritton at gmail.com (Eric Britton) Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:41:10 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] [World Streets] The Greening of New York: March 2009 Message-ID: <1237480869791.cf40880d-6b59-44a6-a845-3adad1e57915@google.com> [http://transalt.org] 12.00 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} We decided to make the month of March one of heavy traffic between New York City and World Streets. After years of growing civic involvement pushing hard toward more sustainable transportation arrangements in a city and region long dominated by cars, and held back by a highly resistant tradition-bound administration and political establishment, the City has come out of the doldrums in the last couple of years and is now making progress toward engaging a major new mobility overhaul. This process, this often bumpy road, is in our view of sufficient interest that it should be made more broadly known to the international community. Any time a city series engages the challenge of making the move toward more sustainable transportation, this has to be of interest to other cities and groups around the world who were looking for good examples and ideas to fire their own transition. And as always the traffic will run in two ways, and we know that it is going to be interesting too to see how others with deep experience in their own cities see and share their lessons and thoughts with colleagues in New York. You can follow these exchanges real-time each day by going to our good search engine and popping in "Greening of New York" into the Streets section. If you have subscribed to the New Mobility Caf? (NewMobilityCafe-subscribe@yahoogroups.com), you will receive them as they appear. You will also receive highlights in the "This Week on World Streets" summaries. * To call up all the entries in this series thus far, click here. -- Posted By Eric Britton to World Streets at 3/09/2009 05:30:00 AM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090319/54162d88/attachment.html From alena.morrison at iiid.net Thu Mar 19 23:48:58 2009 From: alena.morrison at iiid.net (Alena Morrison) Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:48:58 +0100 Subject: [sustran] Expert Forum Traffic&Transport Information Systems 2009 Message-ID: Dear Dir or Madam The International Institute for Information Design (IIID) in Vienna continues its highly successful Expert Forum Traffic & Transport Information Systems into the 4th year. Unsurpassed in its field, this year's event - Scheduled & on-demand transport: Envisioning information driven alliances - will re-define 'integrated transport' and discuss traveller information as prominent key for a new era of mobility. The addressed re-definition shifts the focus from "transport" to "mobility" which implies an analoguous focus-shift from a provider's to a traveller's point of view. The Expert Forum is geared to discuss market potentials, to promote successful initiatives in user-centered mobility schemes and to exemplify the key role of information to make people abandon traditional travelling habits in exchange for sustainable alternatives with a higher degree of freedom at reasonable or even lower costs. Your interest and expertise in transport might lead you to consider submitting a proposal in response to our Call for Speakers (first deadline 10 May 2009), details are available here. You will find information on the event, our "Call for Speakers" and website link posted below, which you are free to pass on to like-minded colleagues. Furthermore posting the information about the Expert Forum and our Call for Speakers would allow us to reach those who can make a valuable contribution. Therefore, I would like to ask you to announce Traffic&Transport 2009, and our call for speakers in the most appropriate format available. If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact the Assistant Coordinator at IIID, Alena Morrison, who will be happy to oblige. Looking forward to hearing from you soon, Kind Regards, Alena Morrison Assistant Coordinator International Institute for Information Design (IIID) Palffygasse 27/17 1170 Wien/Vienna Austria T: +43 (0)1 403 66 62 alena.morrison@iiid.net Call for Speakers IIID Traffic&Transport 2009 / 4th IIID Expert Forum Traffic & Transport Information Systems The world's leading event in the field 10/11 September 2009, Tech Gate Vienna, Austria Theme: "Scheduled & on-demand transport: Envisioning information driven alliances" Chair: Per Mollerup (Mollerup Designlab A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark / Faculty of Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia) Organizer: IIID International Institute for Information Design in cooperation with: BMVIT Austrian Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology OeBB Austrian Federal Railways Deadline for proposals, phase 1: 10 May 2009 http://www.iiid-expertforum.net/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090319/27cac8cc/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: IIIDTrafficTransport2009_Call1.gif Type: image/gif Size: 14144 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090319/27cac8cc/IIIDTrafficTransport2009_Call1.gif From sudhir at cai-asia.org Mon Mar 23 09:46:39 2009 From: sudhir at cai-asia.org (Sudhir) Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2009 08:46:39 +0800 Subject: [sustran] Sustainable Urban Mobility in Asia (SUMA) News Digest Vol. 6 Issue 3 Message-ID: Sustainable Urban Mobility in Asia (SUMA) News Digest Vol. 6 Issue 3 - 23 March 2009 SUMA News Digest is a free weekly e-mail publication that features news, information, and events related to sustainable urban transportation in Asia. *** VISIT THE SUMA PAGES: http://www.cleanairnet.org/suma *** SUMA PARTNERS ON THE MOVE! Fourth Regional Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) Forum of the Asian EST Initiative- co-organized by UNCRD UNCRD with Ministry of Land, Transport, and Maritime Affairs (MLTM)-Republic of Korea organized the fourth EST forum in in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The participants adopted a statement for the promotion of environmentally sustainable transport in Asia ? referred as Seoul Statement Read more: http://www.uncrd.or.jp/env/4th-regional-est-forum/index_seoul_statement.htm The presentations can be accessed at http://www.uncrd.or.jp/env/4th-regional-est-forum/index_presentation.htm Cycle-inclusive planning in Indian cities - Interface for Cycling Expertise For the first time in India, a manual on designing infrastructure suitable for bicycles in India is being readied, which would help planners and policymakers achieve bicycle-friendly cities and policies. Read more @ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Pune/Now-a-manual-on-designing-infrastructure-for-cycles/articleshow/4239780.cms CAI Asia participated in the Low Carbon Cities Symposium at on 16-18 February 2009 in Nagoya. The presentations can be accessed at http://www.gcp-urcm.org/A20090216/HomePage and http://www.gcp-urcm.org/A20090217/HomePage NEWSREPORTS HEADLINES Thailand: Bangkok Footpaths http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-73271.html Singapore: Too many taxi drivers http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-73272.html Vietnam: 16.4 million Euro for bus project in central highland city http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-73275.html India: State may tax cars to buy buses http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-73269.html China: Public transportation meeting opens in Taipei http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-73276.html China ? Hong Kong: Tax break set for electric vehicles http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-73248.html Global: International Agencies Launch 50% Global Fuel Economy Plan at Geneva Motor http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2009/02/28/452132.html Asia: ADB funds study to develop clean, inclusive transport system for Asian cities http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-73251.html * * * * INTERESTING FINDS/SEMINARS Climate change mitigation and co-benefits of feasible transport demand policies in Beijing Urban car transportation is a cause of climate change but is also associated with additional burdens such as traffic congestion and air pollution. Studies of external costs and potential impacts of travel demand management help to define policy instruments that mitigate the damaging impact of transportation. In this interesting research, the authors have analyzed different externalities of car transportation in Beijing and showed that the social costs induced by motorized transportation are equivalent to about 7.5?15.0% of Beijing?s GDP. Read more at http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-73247.html Efficiency in Sustainable Mobility Thematic Research Summary This paper deals with the minimisation of the resource costs of a given transport system and the maximisation of its performance. Costs considered include those borne by the transport users and those by the transport operators. The relief of congestion and reliability is a significant element in the consideration of efficiency. Read more : http://www.transport-research.info/Upload/Documents/200902/20090224_132039_90921_TRS_Efficiency.pdf Rulemaking to Consider the Proposed Regulation to Implement the Low Carbon Fuel Standard In this rulemaking, the Air Resources Board (ARB/ Board) staff is proposing to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) by lowering the carbon content of transportation fuels used in California. The regulation is referred to as the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). The LCFS will reduce GHG emissions from the transportation sector in California by about 16 million metric tons (MMT) in 2020. These reductions account for almost 10 percent of the total GHG emission reductions needed to achieve the State?s mandate of reducing GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Read more @ http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-73268.html Economic valuation of transport related health effects Review of methods and development of practical approaches, with a special focus on children The main objective of this project was to develop practical approaches to the economic valuation of transport-related health effects, including a focus on children. The development of the approaches was based on two reviews of relevant literature: one of recent epidemiological literature to identify the health endpoints related to road transport for which sufficient evidence exists for including them in economic valuation and another of literature on economic approaches to valuation of health costs due to road transport to derive guidance on the best way forward. A practical approach for road noise, transport-related air pollution and road crashes is presented; key issues regarding insufficient physical activity related to hindering effects of transport on commuter cycling and walking are discussed. The report also presents example calculations for the selected health endpoints which are based on the developed practical approaches for noise, air pollution and road crashes. Read more @ http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-73277.html 2009 FTA Characteristics of Bus Rapid Transit for Decision Making This report describes the physical, operational, cost, performance and potential benefits of BRT's constituent elements both individually and combined as integrated systems. Its intended audience includes urban transportation professionals and officials involved in developing and evaluating high performance transit systems, of which BRT is one alternative. This report is the updated version of 2004 report. Read more @ http://www.nbrti.org/CBRT.html CALL FOR RESEARCH PAPERS We in CAI-Asia are looking for good analytical/research papers on Sustainable Transport and Air Pollution. If you would like your paper to be linked/ published in the CAI website, please let us know? * * * * MARK YOUR CALENDARS Transport Asia 2009 Exhibition, Karachi, Pakistan, 28-30 March 2009 http://www.transportasia.com.pk/ The 4th International Conference on Future Urban Transport, Goteburg, Sweden, 19-21April 2009 http://www.fut.se/ Urban Transportation 2009, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 26-29 April 2009 http://www.iqpc.com/ShowEvent.aspx?id=166586 Sustainable Development 2009, Cyprus, 13 - 15 May 2009 http://www.wessex.ac.uk/09-conferences/sustainable-development-2009.html Transport for a Global Economy -Challenges & Opportunities in the Downturn -Leipzig Congress Centre 26-29 May 2009 http://www.internationaltransportforum.org/2009/Forum2009.html eceee 2009 Summer Study, C?te d'Azur, France, 1-6 June 2009 http://www.eceee.org/summer_study/ Urban Transport 2009, Bologna, Italy, 22-24 June 2009 http://www2.wessex.ac.uk/09-conferences/urban-transport-2009.html * * * CONTRIBUTE * * * To contribute articles, news items, or event announcements for the next issue, send an email with the complete details and URL source to suma-news-owner@googlegroups.com with subject "FOR SUMA NEWS". Past issues from March and April 2008 are found at http://groups.google.com/group/suma-news * * * ABOUT SUMA * * * The Sustainable Urban Mobility in Asia (SUMA) program is supported by the Asian Development Bank through a grant from Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. SUMA is implemented by the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities Center (www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia), in partnership with EMBARQ - the World Resources Institute Center for Sustainable Transport (http://embarq.wri.org), GTZ Sustainable Urban Transport Project ( www.sutp.org), Interface for Cycling Expertise (www.cycling.nl), Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (www.itdp.org), and United Nations Center for Regional Development (www.uncrd.or.jp/est) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090323/e7e35196/attachment.html From eric.britton at ecoplan.org Mon Mar 23 20:25:18 2009 From: eric.britton at ecoplan.org (Eric Britton) Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:25:18 +0100 Subject: [sustran] What/who keeps holding back newmobility reform. Message-ID: <01af01c9abaa$1800b7a0$480226e0$@britton@ecoplan.org> Dear Colleagues, I would like to invite your attention to the following small strategic piece, which I hope will be of interest to you. And if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions on how to improve, it would be good to have them either in private to me at eric.britton@newmobility.org or if you feel it appropriate via NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com If I learn from you that it is good enough I would like to prepare it as an editorial for World Streets. Kind regards/Eric britton What/who keeps holding back newmobility reform. If you get it, newmobility is a no-brainer. However while that is a great starting place, it is not going to get the job somehow miraculously done. We have a few sticking points here to overcome first. Let's have a quick look. After some years of talking with cities, and working and observing in many different circumstances, here are some of the barriers we and others most frequently encounter in trying to get collaborative transportation reform programs off the ground, including even in cities that really do need a major mobility overhaul. 1. Mayor/city manager: The mayor or prime city leader either: does not get it, feels that she knows the whole area well enough to require nothing else, does not think this is a matter of high priority, does not have enough time to get his arms around it, feels confident that his staff has this well under control, or or 2. City council: Where you have city councils taking these decisions, it turns out that they are often much better at disagreeing then agreeing, at least when any unfamiliar idea comes before them. And yet, if we do not get some kind of consensus for change at the top this is never going to happen. 3. City's transportation experts: The city's main transportation expert, team, is not that interested in having any "outside help", other than the usuals. Anything else is often seen as a challenge to their authority and expertise. 4. Local Consultants: The specialized consultants who work in the sector in that city, or have contact with it, feel that they do not need any additional help since this is after all they are job and specialty. 5. Local business groups, who the most part are firmly wedded to the idea of cars and car access (AKA parking) as being the key to the success of their businesses. 6. Public interest groups: Specific transportation, environmental groups (cycling, pedestrian, public space, emissions, quality of life, specific neighborhood groups, etc.) tend to be committed to their specific missions and far more often than not simply do not get together to create a global sustainable cities program, as indeed should be the case. 7. In-place transportation service providers: bus/transit services, taxis, others -- tend to be the most part quite narrowly focused on their specific business area, often already under some financial duress, and by and large not known to be open to new ideas or new ways of doing things. Including new and much broader partnerships with other service providers and actors in the community. And finally. . . 8. Local media: For reasons of their own, advertising revenues included, have rarely really bought into the sustainability agenda. 9. The "local car lobby". While there are financial interests tied to the continuing abundant unfettered use of cars in the city, including local auto dealers, any businesses that might be suppliers to the sector, parking businesses, the great bulk of this "lobby" is an unquestioned implied understanding that nothing should be done that would change your relationship with your car. 10. All of us: Doubtless the biggest single obstacle to deep transportation reform is a result of the fact that that it deals with a highly visible area of public life in which just about everybody, from mayor to dogcatcher, feels that they have a high degree of implicit expertise in figuring out what works and what will not work in their city. . . because transport is something that they do every day and can see with their own eyes. This is the Achilles' heel of transportation policy, this very human tendency for just about everybody to feel that if they do it i.e. move around every day) this means they understand it. The trouble with this is that transport in cities is a highly complex metabolism of great systemic complexity that is far closer to that of the human brain than say another glass of beer. Thus one of the main challenges of deep transportation reform is to help citizens and decision makers come to grips with these challenges of complexity, without at the same time removing it from their role as active and responsible citizens and placing it entirely in the hands of centralized experts. There is a major communications challenge here. And a governance challenge as well. How many potential barriers is that already, ten? And if you think of it in terms of your city, I am sure you are going to spot most if not all of the above and yet others, making it the first challenge of anyone who wishes to advance the sustainable transportation agenda in that place to understand this terrain and to figure out ways of coping with it. For sure, it is going to be impossible to take on and convert all of these interests at once. But the fundamental concepts and potential of a 21st-century mobility system are such that if we take a strategic approach to dealing with these barriers, taking them on one at a time and with great patience and foresight, the policy agenda can be opened up and perhaps some first small victories can be achieved. Once this has happened, the rest will follow in due course. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090323/279b2d66/attachment.html From editor at worldstreets.org Mon Mar 23 23:03:30 2009 From: editor at worldstreets.org (Eric Britton) Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2009 07:03:30 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] [World Streets] Op-Ed. Jan Gehl, Mesage from Copenhagen Message-ID: <1237817010390.66a357bb-4097-47b0-92e7-fd2712cf2a57@google.com> [http://www.gehlarchitects.com] People FirstJan Gehl, Gehl Architects, Copenhagen, DenmarkMany challenges face today?s societies: from increasing carbon emissions to our reliance on depleting energy resources, from increasing social segregation to the obesity epidemic. All these challenges come at a great cost: from monetary to environmental, and every inhabitant pays a price. We believe many of these challenges can be addressed simply by thinking about ?people first? when planning cities.The Value of People Oriented PlanningIf the urban population is invited to use public space by walking or bicycling, the effects are highly positive in meeting these challenges. It may seem banal that more bicycle lanes equal more bicyclists, a well-connected pedestrian network results in more pedestrians, a well-working public transport system results in more people using public transport ? whereas more roads means more cars. It seems simple. More and more studies demonstrate that a good pedestrian and bicycling environment is not in contradiction with good sales numbers. On the contrary, local businesses do better in neighborhoods that favor soft traffic, and cities that perform well on livability attract investors and business.Planning for EverybodyCreating a good public realm enables different groups in society to meet on equal terms. If we want to take planning for all people seriously, we have to give everybody the chance of being mobile ? a key element in today?s society. Good conditions for people, without a car, give more people the opportunity to be a real part of the society.Lessons from CopenhagenFor the past 45 years Copenhagen, Denmark, has been on a continuous journey to make life better for its inhabitants and, in 2008, the city was named the best city in the world for quality of life. This achievement is the result of a contiguous strategy of turning the focus around from a car-orientated culture to a people friendly environment - one that favors a good public realm, through public transport and amenities. For example, 36% of all Copenhageners commute to work by bicycle - a completely healthy, democratic and sustainable mode of transportation. Our goal is to reach 50% by 2015.US Cities Leading the Way?Planning for people? can make cities safer, more environmentally friendly, livelier and healthier. Presently, Gehl Architects is working with cities across the United States, including New York City, Seattle and San Francisco, in the joint effort of making these cities even greater. We hope the Obama Administration will support and lead this development even further in the years to come.Jan Gehl jan@gehlarchitects.dkGehl Architects ? Urban Quality Consultants, www.gehlarchitects.comCopenhagen, Denmark -- Posted By Eric Britton to World Streets at 3/23/2009 02:51:00 PM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090323/8ce715c5/attachment.html From editor at worldstreets.org Tue Mar 24 00:20:41 2009 From: editor at worldstreets.org (Eric Britton) Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2009 08:20:41 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] [World Streets] Honk! Contested Streets Message-ID: <1237821641150.a44a1c8f-9b06-48c5-b90e-fdb64ffe9707@google.com> [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF4Q2badOng&feature=related] Contested Streets is a documentary produced by the New York City advocacy group Transportation Alternatives, and made by Cicala Filmworks that explores the rich diversity of New York City street life before the introduction of automobiles and shows how New York can follow the example of other modern cities that have reclaimed their streets as vibrant public spaces. The 57 minute film was premiered in New York City on 27 June 2006 and is available for purchase at cost from Transportation Alternatives. Contested Streets features new footage of reclaimed streets in London, Copenhagen and Paris and features interviews with New York savvy notables such as Ken Jackson, Mike Wallace, Bob Kiley, Eric Britton, Jan Gehl, Majora Carter, Kathryn Wylde, Enrique Penalosa, James Howard Kunstler and many more - -- who help us to make our way through the morass of problems, resistances and opportunities that all our cities face. Cicala Filmworks is a full-service film, video, and new-media production company. Headquartered in New York City, the company produces content as varied as documentary programming, industrial videos, TV commercials, web content, and short and feature films. ? View a 5 minute trailer of Contested Streets here. ? To obtain a copy of the DVD, click here. ? To know more about Cicala Filmworks, click here. -- Posted By Eric Britton to World Streets at 3/23/2009 04:12:00 AM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090323/3f0ebe06/attachment.html From yanivbin at gmail.com Tue Mar 24 13:06:59 2009 From: yanivbin at gmail.com (Vinay Baindur) Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:36:59 +0530 Subject: [sustran] BMTC has the money, but no buses Message-ID: <86b8a7050903232106w5f23aafat43b19588d0681316@mail.gmail.com> http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=BMTC%20has%20the%20money,%20but%20no%20bus&artid=Vg5S1IjOgRE=&SectionID=wIcBMLGbUJI=&MainSectionID=wIcBMLGbUJI=&SectionName=UOaHCPTTmuP3XGzZRCAUTQ==&SEO=BMTC,%20BANGALORE,%20BUS BMTC has the money, but no buses BANGALORE: Deadliness set, funds available and announcements made. But BMTC cannot induct 1,000 new buses by June 30. Reason: Low production capacity of manufacturing firms. The Centre under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) has made available funds to city transport agencies for purchase of buses. Only 20-30 pc available in time The one-time grant would be of great help in expanding the BMTC fleet but inducting 1,000 new buses by June 30, 2009 is ?humanly impossible," said a senior official at BMTC. ?Only 20 to 30 per cent of the required number may be available on time,? he added. Deadline relaxation needed JNNURM scheme is applicable to 35 cities (with a million-plus population) across India and all city transport corporations need to purchase buses before the deadline, which implies a requirement of 18,000 new buses by June 30, 2009. JNNURM guidelines also stress on promoting Indian bus firms. Considering the production capacities of bus companies, no urban transport corporation would be able to add all new buses in time. If all corporations make a request to the department of urban development of Union Government, they my consider extending the deadline, a BMTC official said. ?BMTC might need an extension of just three months to meet the demand if the bus companies give preference to BMTC as it was the first amongst the city transport corporations to call for tenders and place orders in this regard,? the official said. BMTC, however, could avail the funds against the buses already inducted in 2008-09 as the funds cover only that year. Not all hi-tech The state government in its current budget has a provision of Rs 500 crore for adding 1,000 ?hi-tech? (usually low-floor) buses to BMTC?s fleet. However, the acceptable height of the bus floor under the JNNURM guidelines is upto 900 mm. However, at least 20 per cent of buses have to be low-floor (floor height 385-400 mm). Rest could be semi-low floor (650-850 mm) and Normal (900 mm) buses. On whether all new buses would be hitech low floor buses, the official said: ?The production rate of low-floor buses is low and they are very expensive. So, we decided to add 700 ordinary buses, 100 semi low-floor buses and 200 low-floor buses.? Following the direction from the Union Government on the use of JNNURM funds for the purpose, BMTC published invitations for tender on Feb 20 and finalised the bid by March 2. In accordance with JNNURM guidelines on promoting Indian companies, BMTC was looking at giving orders to Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland and Eicher. As Eicher did not participate in the tendering process, the order for ordinary buses was shared between Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland. Low-floor buses would be supplied by Volvo. Low production capacity Many cities including Bangalore, Delhi and Ahmedabad, in the past, have suffered major setbacks in fleet-expansion due to low capacity of the bus manufacturing industry. Delivery of buses came with delay of months. Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland, together, have 90 per cent share in bus manufacturing industry in India but they cannot deliver more than a 100 buses every month. In the case of the delay in delivering Delhi Transport Corporation?s order, Tata had to pay a penalty of Rs 2 crore last year. BMTC cannot procure all 200 low-floor buses on time too as Volvo, the supplier of these buses, alone doesn?t have enough capacity to meet the deadline and BMTC is not considering Tata Marcopolo buses at the moment. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090324/3fd76c6a/attachment.html From editor at worldstreets.org Tue Mar 24 19:23:16 2009 From: editor at worldstreets.org (Eric Britton) Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:23:16 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] [World Streets] What/who keeps holding back newmobility reform. Message-ID: <1237890195911.d0693a9a-62a9-470c-88d9-7814fb6f7c06@google.com> [http://www.strategy.newmobility.org] Eric Britton, Editor, World Streets, Paris, FranceIf you get it, newmobility is a no-brainer. However, while that is a great starting place, it is not going to get the job somehow miraculously done. We have a few potential sticking points here that need to be overcome first. Let's have a quick look.After some years of talking with cities, and working and observing in many different circumstances, here are some of the barriers are most frequently encountered in trying to get innovative transportation reform programs off the ground, including even in cities that really do need a major mobility overhaul.1. The Mayor/city manager: The mayor or prime city leader either: does not get it; feels that she knows the whole area well enough to require nothing else; does not consider this to be a matter of high priority; feels confident that his staff has this well under control, or quite simply does not have enough time to get her arms around it.2. The City Council: Where you have city councils taking these decisions, it turns out that they are often much better at disagreeing then agreeing, at least when any unfamiliar , to them unproven, idea comes before them for decision. And yet, if we do not get some kind of consensus for change at the top this is never going to happen.3. The city's transportation experts: The city's main transportation expert, team, may well not be interested in having any "outside help". Anything else is often seen as a challenge to their authority and expertise. So we basically have a turf problem.4. Local consultants: The specialized consultants who already work in the sector in that city, or have contact with it, feel that they do not need any additional help since this is after all their job and specialty.5. Local business groups, who the most part are firmly wedded to the idea of cars and car access (AKA parking) as being the key to the success of their businesses.6. Transportation service providers: bus/transit services, taxis, school and special service buses, others -- tend to be the most part quite narrowly focused on their specific business area, often already under some financial duress, and thus for the most part not known to be open to new ideas or new ways of doing things. Including new and much broader partnerships with other service providers and actors in the community. This is not the case for all cities, but most operators are under such financial pressure that they have little or no margin for innovation or experimentation.7. Public interest groups: Specific transportation, environmental groups (cycling, pedestrian, public space, emissions, quality of life, specific neighborhood groups, etc.) tend to be committed to their specific missions and far more often than not simply do not get together to create a global sustainable cities program, as indeed should be the case.8. Local media: For reasons of their own, advertising revenues included, have rarely really bought into the sustainability agenda.9. The "local car lobby". While there are financial interests tied to the continuing abundant unfettered use of cars in the city, including local auto dealers, any businesses that might be suppliers to the sector, parking businesses, the great bulk of this "lobby" is an unquestioned implied understanding that nothing should be done that would change your relationship with your car.10. All of us: Doubtless the biggest single obstacle to deep transportation reform is a result of the fact that it deals with a highly visible area of public life in which just about everybody, from mayor to dogcatcher, feels that they have a high degree of implicit expertise in figuring out what works and what will not work in their city. . . because transport is something that they do every day and can see with their own eyes. This is the Achilles' heel of transportation policy, this very human tendency for just about everybody to feel that if they do it i.e. move around every day) this means they understand it. The trouble with this is that transport in cities is a highly complex metabolism of great systemic complexity that is far closer to that of the human brain than say another glass of beer. Thus one of the main challenges of deep transportation reform is to help citizens and decision makers come to grips with these challenges of complexity, without at the same time removing it from their role as active and responsible citizens and placing it entirely in the hands of centralized experts. There is a major communications challenge here. And a governance challenge as well.* * *How many potential barriers is that already, ten? And if you think of it in terms of your own city, I am sure you are going to spot most if not all of the above and yet others. It is thus the first challenge of anyone who wishes to advance the sustainable transportation agenda in that place to understand this difficult terrain and to figure out ways of coping with it.For sure, it is going to be impossible to take on and convert all of these interests at once. But the fundamental concepts and potential of a 21st-century mobility system are such that if we take a strategic approach to dealing with these barriers, taking them on one at a time and with great patience and foresight, the policy agenda can be opened up and perhaps some first small victories can be achieved. Once this has happened, the rest will follow in due course.Our best counsel for transportation reform: Start at the top and engage and work your way down this list one by one. Build up your support base , and gradually expand it Be known as a great and patient listener.* * *You may find some interest in reading the above in parallel with the strategic summary for new system planning and implementation of the New Mobility Agenda which you will find here ? www.strategy.newmobility.org. -- Posted By Eric Britton to World Streets at 3/24/2009 11:20:00 AM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090324/f64a6cd4/attachment.html From yanivbin at gmail.com Wed Mar 25 03:33:37 2009 From: yanivbin at gmail.com (Vinay Baindur) Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:03:37 +0530 Subject: [sustran] On city roads, divided, we stand Message-ID: <86b8a7050903241133n690108dbuc25bfd216c108cca@mail.gmail.com> On city roads, divided, we stand http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=On+city+roads,+Divided,+we+stand&artid=KgmspykeHvs=&SectionID=Qz/kHVp9tEs=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=UOaHCPTTmuP3XGzZRCAUTQ==&SEO=BCTP,%20traffic,%20RCC,%20cement%20concrete BANGALORE: The Bangalore City Traffic Police (BCTP) is leaving no stone unturned to bring down the number of road accidents, particularly the fatal ones. The latest attempt at bringing in traffic discipline is the laying of reinforced cement concrete (RCC) medians, which has come under criticism from the public for various reasons. Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic & Security) Praveen Sood said that the traditional concrete blocks, boulders and iron grills road medians in the city are being replaced with RCC median. ?The rate of road accidents will come down by 15 per cent once the RCC medians are in place. There were a lot of disadvantages in the earlier types of road medians, which had also become a cause for accidents,? he added. Sood informed that the new RCC median will be painted with reflective paints with B-TRAC?s one-meter high reflective hazard markers at the ends and reflective median markers on the top of the medians. ?The RCC median is durable and has a long life. Owing to their toughness, these medians cannot be broken or removed, as it was being done by road-users for their convenience earlier. Moreover, it looks clean,? he said. ?There is no need for road medians if our traffic was disciplined. The RCC median is 40 cm in height and is laid on the roads, which are at least 14 mts wide. This can improve traffic behaviour among the motorists. Once this is done, parking enforcement would be the department?s duty,? Sood added. He said that a vehicle involved in a road accident cannot run over to the other side of the road and kill or injure other persons if these medians are put. ?By April-end, the work of laying RCC road medians collectively done by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the BCTP, will be completed,? Sood added. Sood claimed that even after an increase in the area of the city, the number of fatal accidents have come down when compared to previous years. That apart, a project to put high-rise medians for a few roads, on the lines of Delhi, is in the pipeline. ?High-rise medians of 90 cm would be put in the place of existing iron grills median. This can be done only when pedestrian facilities like sub-way or skywalks are provide,? Sood said. BBMP Chief Engineer (Major Roads) Chikkarayappa said that the total cost of the project (RCC median) is Rs 10 crore. ?Out of 65 km identified in the city, 24 km have been covered,? he added -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090325/e5063c80/attachment.html From chuwasg at yahoo.com Wed Mar 25 15:13:03 2009 From: chuwasg at yahoo.com (chuwa) Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2009 23:13:03 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] New Share Bike scheme in Taipei Message-ID: <828602.99583.qm@web36907.mail.mud.yahoo.com> A new public bike scheme just started by the Taipei goverment and supported by Giant bicycle in Taipei. As stated on the wibsite: "Bicycle is clearly growing trend all around the world. It is a symbol of advanced, civic and a green city. The cycling population in Taiwan is growing rapidly acrros all ages." The ambition of the project is to promote the use of bicycle as the "last mile" connection for public transportation. This encourage a new commuting culture to let more people to take public transport. Increase transport efficiency while reducing the energy consumption. as the same time. The YouBike system is controled by automated electronic system, using RFID and smart card system.? The YouBike Public Bicycle System uses the EasyCard as the membership card. Short-term card registration is available from the information kiosk at each rental point. Long-term card can be applied via the YouBike website or service center. First 30 minutes of each session is free then $10 for each additional 15 minutes.? Some statistic:Automated bicycle station: ?11RFID tagged parking space: 754YouBikes: ?500Service center: 1 Link:http://www.youbike.com.tw/upage/english.htm -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090324/b7d97c68/attachment.html From editor at worldstreets.org Wed Mar 25 17:43:50 2009 From: editor at worldstreets.org (Eric Britton (France)) Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 01:43:50 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] [World Streets Daily] Report: Bicycle Sharing Systems Worldwide: Selected Cas... Message-ID: <1237970630445.0420e2d4-ab90-4d4a-9690-a1bcec3b3284@google.com> [http://www.cityryde.com/reports] Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} CityRyde LLC, a bicycle sharing consultancy founded in 2007 based in Philadelphia, PA would like to add a cherry on top of the information the World City Bike Forum provides - a free report just released that focuses on the bike sharing systems we get asked about most frequently. Enter "Bicycle Sharing Systems Worldwide: Selected Case Studies" - a high-level synopsis that includes critical information about major vendors and deployments such as JCDecaux with Velib', Clear Channel Outdoors with SmartBike DC, Public Bike Systems with Bixi, B-cycle with Momentum B-cycle, CEMUSA with Nbici and Veolia Transportation with OyBike. CityRyde has spent years researching and analyzing information about bike sharing implementations and their providers and strives to be the trusted source of bike sharing knowledge. For the first time ever, this information is compiled into a high-level synopsis which is easy to read and shared openly to the public. "Bike Sharing Systems Worldwide: Selected Case Studies" focuses on the systems we get asked about most frequently, including major vendors and deployments such as JCDecaux with Velib?, Clear Channel Outdoors with SmartBike DC, Public Bike Systems with Bixi, B-cycle with Momentum B-cycle, CEMUSA with Nbici, and Veolia Transportation with OyBike. We have captured critical information about the systems including membership demographics, usage information, implementation costs, rental costs, bike share technology (bike, kiosk, locking mechanism), and implementation statistics. Download this document at no charge by visiting our reports page at www.cityryde.com/reports Don't hesitate to contact us with any questions, comments, concerns, etc. Jason Meinzer, JHSMeinzer@cityryde.com CityRyde LLC ? "Bicycle Sharing Consultants" www.CityRyde.com Philadelphia, PA USA __._,_.___ -- Posted By Eric Britton (France) to World Streets Daily at 3/25/2009 07:41:00 AM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090325/70056b3d/attachment.html From editor at worldstreets.org Wed Mar 25 18:08:37 2009 From: editor at worldstreets.org (Eric Britton (France)) Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 02:08:37 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] [World Streets Daily] YouBike: New Share Bike scheme in Taipei Message-ID: <1237972117408.0f5995b5-12c9-44e9-920f-265e8109d270@google.com> [http://www.youbike.com.tw/upage/english.htm] A new public bike scheme just started by the Taipei goverment and supported by Giant bicycle in Taipei. As stated on the wibsite: "Bicycle is clearly growing trend all around the world. It is a symbol of advanced, civic and a green city. The cycling population in Taiwan is growing rapidly acrros all ages."The ambition of the project is to promote the use of bicycle as the "last mile" connection for public transportation. This encourage a new commuting culture to let more people to take public transport. Increase transport efficiency while reducing the energy consumption. as the same time.The YouBike system is controled by automated electronic system, using RFID and smart card system. The YouBike Public Bicycle System uses the EasyCard as the membership card. Short-term card registration is available from the information kiosk at each rental point. Long-term card can be applied via the YouBike website or service center.First 30 minutes of each session is free then TWD 10 (about $0.30) for each additional 15 minutes.Some statistics:? Automated bicycle station: 11? RFID tagged parking space: 754? YouBikes: 500? Service center: 1English language website at: http://www.youbike.com.tw/upage/english.htmContact for further information: service@youbike.com.tw or Fax 02 2722-4211 -- Posted By Eric Britton (France) to World Streets Daily at 3/25/2009 08:00:00 AM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090325/c6b4bad8/attachment.html From editor at worldstreets.org Wed Mar 25 20:14:42 2009 From: editor at worldstreets.org (Eric Britton (France)) Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 04:14:42 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] [World Streets Daily] "Street code": A World Streets Campaign for 2009 Message-ID: <1237979681892.c571deab-ed1a-48f8-811e-926e65ff5efa@google.com> The Highway Code: a collection of laws, advice and best practice for all road users, which mainly functions as a written basis for learning to drive as well as stipulating the letter of the law (licensing, required safety equipment, default rules, etc.) In Europe this happens at a national level, with room in some places for stricter local ordinances. In the US mainly a state prerogative. In all cases the code itself is the creature of the automotive age and is primarily concerned with defining the role and characteristics of motor vehicle driver and owner behavior.Many European cities are of late starting to advance on the idea of establishing a far tougher "street codes", specifically adapted to the special and more demanding conditions of driving in city traffic. This is becoming especially important as we start to see a much greater mix of vehicles, speeds and people on the street. If streets are for cars, well this is probably not a priority. But if they are "public spaces" and open to the full range of uses and users, then perhaps something along these lines is called for.The idea is works is that legal responsibility for any accident on street, sidewalk or public space, is automatically assigned to the heavier faster vehicle. This means that the driver who hits a cyclist has to prove his innocence, as opposed to today where the cyclist must prove the driver's guilt (not always very easy to do).This is not quite as good as John Adams' magnificent 1995 formulation whereby every steering wheel of every car , truck and bus would be equipped with a large sharp nail aimed directly at the driver?s heart-- but it can at least help getting things moving in the right direction.We propose to make this a major campaign theme of World Streets in 2009 and invite our readers to submit their reports, ideas and comments over the course of the months ahead.If you look over toward the top of the left menu here, you will see that we have opened up a reader poll in an attempt to get your views as well. We also invite comment here on the results.The editor -- Posted By Eric Britton (France) to World Streets Daily at 3/25/2009 12:06:00 PM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090325/7bfc0a51/attachment.html From zvi.leve at gmail.com Wed Mar 25 22:17:42 2009 From: zvi.leve at gmail.com (Zvi Leve) Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 09:17:42 -0400 Subject: [sustran] Re: New Share Bike scheme in Taipei In-Reply-To: <828602.99583.qm@web36907.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <828602.99583.qm@web36907.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: Montreal's public bike scheme - Bixi - also has the active involvement of local designers, manufacturers and even software developers. Getting over that "last mile" connection will be quite a challenge. It is not enough to just make the option available. One really needs to think about how the transition from public transport to bicycle to destination will be carried out. If any step of the process is not comfortable or convenient, it can be enough to discourage someone from choosing the public transport mode completely! In case anyone was surprised by the $ values for the 15 additional minutes, I assume that these are New Taiwan Dollars so $10 = $US 0.30 (= 30 cents), which is much more reasonable. Best, Zvi 2009/3/25 chuwa > A new public bike scheme just started by the Taipei goverment and supported > by Giant bicycle in Taipei. > > ... > > First 30 minutes of each session is free then $10 for each additional 15 > minutes. > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090325/a03c8636/attachment.html From edelman at greenidea.eu Wed Mar 25 23:42:17 2009 From: edelman at greenidea.eu (Todd Edelman, Green Idea Factory) Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:42:17 +0100 Subject: [sustran] Re: New Share Bike scheme in Taipei In-Reply-To: References: <828602.99583.qm@web36907.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <49CA42C9.6020109@greenidea.eu> BIXI certainly has a detailed and enthusiastic website but I have two serious questions about imagery: shows helmets on some people. I didn't really see helmets anywhere else on the website -- also not in the photos from the launch. I am not sure what message BIXI is trying to create with that image. The obstacles regarding public bikes where there are mandatory helmet laws are well known to us all. shows what looks like a fast residential street with no separate or even marked infrastructure for cyclists. In fact, it seems that in the process of parking a bike one could have issues with cars or other vehicles in the right lane. With this comment I am not arguing for any solution in particular but it would be great if cities or people get the suggestion that making substantial infrastructure changes on the street is a wonderful idea. Also, BIXI considers it a positive that its racks and system are easy-to-install but I would argue that more permanent-seeming infrastructure is better. Whether it is tram tracks and catenary, a built-up BRT corridor or planted trees etc. in former car space it indicates a commitment from the city and its citizens. Doing something which can be removed just for a pilot can be a good idea, of course. Regards, T Zvi Leve wrote: > Montreal's public bike scheme - Bixi > - also has the active > involvement of local designers, manufacturers and even software > developers. > > [...] -- -------------------------------------------- Todd Edelman Green Idea Factory Urbanstr. 45 D-10967 Berlin Germany Skype: toddedelman Mobile: ++49 0162 814 4081 Home/Office: ++49 030 7554 0001 edelman@greenidea.eu www.greenidea.eu www.flickr.com/photos/edelman CAR is over. If you want it. "Fort mit der Autostadt und was Neues hingebaut!" - B. Brecht (with slight modification) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090325/d0d8539d/attachment.html From edelman at greenidea.eu Wed Mar 25 23:48:47 2009 From: edelman at greenidea.eu (Todd Edelman, Green Idea Factory) Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:48:47 +0100 Subject: [sustran] Bicycles for Everybody in South Africa Message-ID: <49CA444F.5000902@greenidea.eu> South African Bike Factory in New Phase http://www.bike-eu.com/news/3337/south-african-bike-factory-in-new-phase.html [Question: Is lighting a luxury or a necessity?) JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- The Shova Kalula project to provide a bike for everyone in South Africa has entered a new phase. The national Department of Transport (DoT) has issued an 'expression of interest' to establish a bicycle manufacturing plant in South Africa to produce bicycles for its Shova Kalula (=Bicycles for Everybody) project. The project, which aims to ensure the roll-out of one-million bicycles by 2014, forms part of government's action programme and is expected to contribute to government's anti-poverty strategy and second economy interventions. It is to promote the use of non-motorised transport, especially for low-income households. In 2007 Shova Kalula got the presidential blessing at the congress of the South African Department of Transport and was renamed 'Shova Kalula Million Bike Programme'. At that time the target for the first production year and affordability programme was set to 60,000 units, 80,000 for the second year and 100,000 for the third year, with a personal commitment of Minister of Transport Radebe to achieve a production level of one million bicycles by 2014. "The Shova Kalula project had already ensured the distribution of 59,000 bicycles, 26,000 of which have been assembled in South Africa during the 2008/9 financial year", commented DoT spokesperson Sam Monareng. Monareng also told "Engineering News Online" that it had asked the Department of Trade and Industry to assist in evaluating the bids received under the 'expression of interest'. He said that only one manufacturing plant was being planned and that a specific province or region had not been determined. /Photo: Ron Thompson/ For related items on Shova Kalula, click here -- -------------------------------------------- Todd Edelman Green Idea Factory Urbanstr. 45 D-10967 Berlin Germany Skype: toddedelman Mobile: ++49 0162 814 4081 Home/Office: ++49 030 7554 0001 edelman@greenidea.eu www.greenidea.eu www.flickr.com/photos/edelman CAR is over. If you want it. "Fort mit der Autostadt und was Neues hingebaut!" - B. Brecht (with slight modification) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090325/a065cd81/attachment.html From zvi.leve at gmail.com Thu Mar 26 00:18:34 2009 From: zvi.leve at gmail.com (Zvi Leve) Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:18:34 -0400 Subject: [sustran] Re: New Share Bike scheme in Taipei In-Reply-To: <49CA42C9.6020109@greenidea.eu> References: <828602.99583.qm@web36907.mail.mud.yahoo.com> <49CA42C9.6020109@greenidea.eu> Message-ID: Bixi certainly has many good ideas, but I have serious concerns about their pricing model for Montreal. Note that their rates may work elsewhere, but Montreal already has a huge number of bicyclists and relatively inexpensive public transport. They are pricing the service more like a 'taxi', but a taxi brings you door-to-door, not parking station to parking station! There are no mandatory helmet laws in Montreal (although I think that one of the borroughs might have one), so this is just marketing imagery. The residential street shown is a typical Montreal street with walk-up plex-style housing. Most of these streets do not have huge amounts of traffic, and there is a growing movement to reduce the speed limits on all residential streets to 30 kph.... The idea of having a modular system is that it can easily be adapted to the demand. In theory, the system could even be adjusted throughout the day, so that the stations could expand or contract as needed. Presumably the system will be taken down in the winter here, when only the most motivated people are out and about on bicycles. It is quite an experience riding on a bike at -30: the seat is frozen solid, among other things. There are still remnants of ice on the ground, and the temperatures are often below freezing, but I started biking this week , and my daughter is happy .... Cheers, Zvi 2009/3/25 Todd Edelman, Green Idea Factory > BIXI certainly has a detailed and enthusiastic website but I have two > serious questions about imagery: > > shows helmets on some people. I didn't really see helmets anywhere else on > the website -- also not in the photos from the launch. I am not sure what > message BIXI is trying to create with that image. The obstacles regarding > public bikes where there are mandatory helmet laws are well known to us all. > > shows what looks like a fast residential street with no separate or even > marked infrastructure for cyclists. In fact, it seems that in the process of > parking a bike one could have issues with cars or other vehicles in the > right lane. With this comment I am not arguing for any solution in > particular but it would be great if cities or people get the suggestion that > making substantial infrastructure changes on the street is a wonderful idea. > > Also, BIXI considers it a positive that its racks and system are > easy-to-install but I would argue that more permanent-seeming infrastructure > is better. Whether it is tram tracks and catenary, a built-up BRT corridor > or planted trees etc. in former car space it indicates a commitment from the > city and its citizens. Doing something which can be removed just for a pilot > can be a good idea, of course. > > Regards, > T > > Zvi Leve wrote: > > Montreal's public bike scheme - Bixi- also has the active involvement of local designers, manufacturers and even > software developers. > > > [...] > > -- > -------------------------------------------- > > Todd Edelman > Green Idea Factory > > Urbanstr. 45 > D-10967 Berlin > Germany > > Skype: toddedelman > Mobile: ++49 0162 814 4081 > Home/Office: ++49 030 7554 0001 > edelman@greenidea.euwww.greenidea.euwww.flickr.com/photos/edelman > > CAR is over. If you want it. > > "Fort mit der Autostadt und was Neues hingebaut!" > - B. Brecht (with slight modification) > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090325/ee4d5e98/attachment.html From editor at worldstreets.org Thu Mar 26 18:52:20 2009 From: editor at worldstreets.org (Eric Britton (France)) Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2009 02:52:20 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] [World Streets Daily] Toolbox: SeeClickFix Message-ID: <1238061140418.b3d8cc54-d09a-495c-9a9c-d70096d2f833@google.com> [http://seeclickfix.com/i] Here is a new mobility tool that we would like not only to introduce you to here, but also invite your comments and suggestions. Then, if any of you wish to take this further, perhaps we can explore with our friends at SeeClickFix, a public interest group in wild, exotic and different New Haven Connecticut how this might be put to work in your city. We were in the process of preparing our own piece based on interviews with SeeClickFix founder Ben Berkowitz, when this fine treatment came in from Streetsblog Daily reporter Brad Aaron. So what better than to pass it on to you as it appeared yesterday in New York. A possible World Streets goal: To find one or two cities in any part of the world that might be interested in putting this tool to work in their community. To test its applicability and usefulness in a range of non-US situations. Candidates?And now from Streetsblog:SeeClickFix: Is ?Little Brother? the Next Big Thing? The next generation of community-driven reporting of quality-of-life issues -- like potholes, graffiti, garbage buildup, or broken street lights -- is SeeClickFix, software that enables users to populate a map with cases that are then forwarded to the responsible city agency. Much like a 311 system, SeeClickFix is predicated on the assumption that an aware and engaged public that uses technology can get its city government to efficiently resolve problems.Unlike most 311 systems, the visual mapping function enables users to see all existing complaints about a particular problem or to add their voice to an existing case, thus promoting it to a more urgent position in the queue. Users can create "watch areas" and receive notices when other users identify a problem within it. Each case generates an e-mail that is sent to the appropriate agency responsible for fixing it.According to founder Ben Berkowitz, who is based in New Haven, Connecticut, SeeClickFix got its first trial run last year when New Haven's mayor, John DeStefano, Jr., was looking for a way to better respond to public quality-of-life complaints and to reduce duplication of efforts within agencies. DeStefano required the city to respond to cases that had been generated by the public on SeeClickFix and report the status of the cases online. The system was so successful that the city now uses SeeClickFix as a proxy 311, with agencies such as the DOT, DPW, and police department using it for non-emergency issues. DeStefano was so happy with the service that he sent a letter to more that 100 other mayors encouraging them to try it.Berkowitz says the system has now expanded beyond the local government to utility companies and non-profits. He said they have seen numerous cases of good Samaritans responding to complaints without prompting, such as one carpenter who fixed several park benches he located on the site. "That's the beauty of open source," says Berkowitz. "At first, we thought of calling it Little Brother, like 'Little Brother is Watching,' but then we realized we needed to be a bit more kind to government."Berkowitz explains that SeeClickFix often coordinates with newspapers, such as those in Boston, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh, to promote the software to the public, then advocates for the city to try responding to cases and noting the progress online. When the Philadelphia Inquirer added the SeeClickFix widget to its site, Philadelphia 311 soon started responding online to newly-generated cases.In San Francisco, Phil Bronstein, editor-at-large of Hearst Newspapers Division, is a big fan of SeeClickFix and is planning to use the mapping widget on SFGate.com. Kevin Skaggs, executive producer of SFGate, said a collaboration with SeeClickFix has been in the works since Bronstein blogged about them last year, and that SFGate will use the widget in a few months on its new hyper-local Chronicle sites. The new Chron sites will resemble the New York Times' recently launched local blogs, where SeeClickFix is already a presence. As of now, the Times has incorporated the map widget into the New Jersey edition of "The Local," which covers Maplewood, Millburn and South Orange. Berkowitz hopes the Times' Brooklyn blog, targeted at readers in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill, will follow suit. If that happens, he sees city residents using SeeClickFix as a tool for broad scale community improvement."We know that it can be much bigger than 311 in New York," says Berkowitz. "It's a really great method for getting a dialogue started."Posted: 25 Mar 2009 12:01 PM PDTWith reporting by Brad Aaron. -- Posted By Eric Britton (France) to World Streets Daily at 3/26/2009 10:51:00 AM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090326/22b40668/attachment.html From eric.britton at ecoplan.org Thu Mar 26 22:23:57 2009 From: eric.britton at ecoplan.org (Eric Britton) Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:23:57 +0100 Subject: [sustran] Book Review Offer - Public Transport and its Users: The Passenger's Perspective in Planning and Customer Care Message-ID: <023c01c9ae16$2fae37b0$8f0aa710$@britton@ecoplan.org> From: dfattore@ashgatepublishing.com [mailto:dfattore@ashgatepublishing.com] Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 12:47 PM To: TRAeditor@ucdavis.edu; postmaster@ecoplan.org; hans.rat@uitp.org; anna.singer@uitp.org Subject: Book Review Offer - Public Transport and its Users: The Passenger 's Perspective in Planning and Customer Care Dear Editor, Ashgate has recently published a book which may be of interest to the readers of your journal: Public Transport and its Users: The Passenger's Perspective in Planning and Customer Care Edited by Martin Schiefelbusch, The nexus Institute for Cooperation Management and Interdisciplinary Research, Germany and Hans-Liudger Dienel, The nexus Institute for Cooperation Management and Interdisciplinary Research, Germany This book is one of the first to examine strategies for the representation of user interests in public transport from a variety of perspectives. The authors review approaches to integrating the passengers' views in the planning process and to protecting their interests in operations and customer care across a range of European countries. From this they draw important conclusions and highlight examples of good practice. Full details: http://www.ashgate.com/isbn/9780754674474 To request a review copy, please contact me, specifying the name of your journal. Kind regards Debbie Fattore Marketing Assistant, Social Sciences Visit our website for information about titles published, how to submit a proposal, or to sign up to our FREE email updates: http://www.ashgate.com/ Ashgate Publishing Group New address from December 2008 Wey Court East, Union Road, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7PT, UK Telephone: +44 (0)1252 331551 Fax: +44(0)1252 736736 This email has been scanned for all viruses by the MessageLabs Email Security System. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090326/70b2d99d/attachment.html From hearth at ties.ottawa.on.ca Fri Mar 27 02:20:26 2009 From: hearth at ties.ottawa.on.ca (Chris Bradshaw) Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:20:26 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] [World Streets Daily] Collisions Between Assymetrical Parties Message-ID: <1238088026590.08718ac6-533f-4bdb-91f0-e8e8e6372999@google.com> Eric,Your suggestion that, in the case of a collision in a public street, regardless of fault, the larger, faster party bear the responsibility for redress. This is close to my proposal that the party in the larger vehicle (who usually doesn't get injured) lose their privilege to drive for as long as the smaller (usually also slower) party takes to recover and to resume the mode of travel they were using at the time of the collision.Your proposal could be a little even-handed if the fault principle (based on the Highway Traffic Act) would apply to that portion of the outcome that _would_ have entailed had the two parties been the same size and moving at the same speed as the more benign party, while the rest of the outcome fall at the feet (as it were) of the larger, faster party, regardless of fault.BTW, the other posting on the new SeeFlickFix.com site is very important. I used it for a missing set of stairs in a small park near my home a few minutes ago, and it took my material, including a photo, quite well. However, I had to reply to my own post, to correct the software that would not let me reposition the icon to a more accurate location. I also posted a second photo, getting it properly turned upwards (mea culpa).I see this as the way to create stewardship over public places, and to remove from cities the right of controling the records of complaints ("Oh, you're the first person to complain.")Chris BradshawOttawa -- Posted By Chris Bradshaw to World Streets Daily at 3/26/2009 06:09:00 PM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090326/99fc0a3a/attachment.html From rlaymandc at gmail.com Thu Mar 26 11:10:39 2009 From: rlaymandc at gmail.com (Richard Layman) Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:10:39 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] [World Streets Daily] 3 new reports on transportation planning from the Proje... Message-ID: <1238033439561.6064be84-b3b0-45c6-962b-3371009771de@google.com> (Done in conjunction with the American Association of Retired Persons, which next year I will be able to join...)-- A Citizen?s Guide to Better Streets: How to Engage Your Transportation Agency-- Streets as Places: Using Streets to Rebuild Communities-- The Quiet Revolution in Transportation Planning: How Great Corridors Make Great CommunitiesI haven't read any of them yet, but I am sure they will be useful. PPS has initiated a transportation practice, and has a workshop on "streets as places." The next workshop is next week in fact. -- Posted By Richard Layman to World Streets Daily at 3/26/2009 03:09:00 AM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090325/69bdc2b9/attachment.html From carlosfpardo at gmail.com Fri Mar 27 17:06:51 2009 From: carlosfpardo at gmail.com (Carlosfelipe Pardo) Date: Fri, 27 Mar 2009 08:06:51 +0000 Subject: [sustran] Take a deep breath... Message-ID: <49CC891B.3070404@gmail.com> Full text in: http://www.economist.com/business/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13381522&source=hptextfeature The new people's car Mar 26th 2009 From /The Economist/ print edition Why the Nano alone cannot solve the mounting problems of its maker IS THE Tata Nano the car the world has been waiting for, its launch this week a moment not only of automotive history but of real social significance? Or will it prove to be no more than a dazzling digression for its troubled maker? Fifteen months after its unveiling at the Delhi motor show, the cheapest and most talked-about car of modern times has gone on sale. The plainest version costs 1 lakh (100,000) rupees ($2,000), as promised by Ratan Tata (pictured above), the head of the Tata group and the driving force behind the project. At half the price of the next cheapest car on the market (the aged Maruti 800), the Nano will bring car ownership to people who would never previously have considered it. But it has not been an easy gestation. (text continues in link above) From editor at worldstreets.org Fri Mar 27 20:45:14 2009 From: editor at worldstreets.org (Eric Britton (Paris, France)) Date: Fri, 27 Mar 2009 04:45:14 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] [World Streets Daily] Media on Streets: European Council for an Energy Effici... Message-ID: <1238154313746.c731f347-745f-4d48-98e1-3e789be05517@google.com> [http://www.eceee.org/news/news_2009/2009-03-02/] World Streets: new on-line journal on sustainable transportation (02 Mar 09) A new on-line newspaper devoted to concise and independent reporting on developments in the field of sustainable transportation worldwide was launched today, 2 March 2009. The newspaper is entitled World Streets. World Streets is a collaborative initiative of the "New Mobility Agenda", and aims at covering the following topics: - information on leading edge thinking and practice in the field of sustainable transportation, world-wide. - focusing on transport in cities - tackling the challenges of how to achieve big, fast greenhouse gas reductions - on the lookout for measures, projects and policies that are going to pay off within two to four years. Read more: World Streets and New Mobility Agenda For more on the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy -- Posted By Eric Britton (Paris, France) to World Streets Daily at 2/09/2009 12:34:00 PM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090327/fc50044e/attachment.html From editor at worldstreets.org Sat Mar 28 02:53:31 2009 From: editor at worldstreets.org (Eric Britton (Paris, France)) Date: Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:53:31 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] [World Streets Daily] Walk to School strikes again (From the New York Times) Message-ID: <1238176410956.6039d863-3e33-44c4-a959-52f6c458db88@google.com> [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/27/world/europe/27bus.html?ref=europe] Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} This good article from today?s New York Times treats a topic which is not only well known to the New Mobility Agenda program and its many collaborators around the world, but also touches on some of the fundamental considerations which constitute the vital underpinnings of the strategy which will allow us in many ways to cut CO2 radically and provide far better transportation (better in the larger sense of the word as we understand it here). When in 2002 our editor in chief was chair of the international jury of the prestigious Stockholm Partnerships for Sustainable Cities, he and the jury selected the International Walk to School program as one of the select group of prize winners. The award, a striking sculpted glob made of recycled glass, was presented to Robert Smith as project manager of the UK Walk to School program at that time, on the understanding that each year it would circulate to another country program. In time it spanned several continents. The simple fact is that this is a great and worthy sustainability strategy and should be [art of every new mobility program in every town and city in the world. March 27, 2009 Students Give Up Wheels for Their Own Two Feet By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL, New York Times (Thuis article reproduced under our Fair Use policy.) LECCO, Italy ? Each morning, about 450 students travel along 17 school bus routes to 10 elementary schools in this lakeside city at the southern tip of Lake Como. There are zero school buses. In 2003, to confront the triple threats of childhood obesity, local traffic jams and ? most important ? a rise in global greenhouse gases abetted by car emissions, an environmental group here proposed a retro-radical concept: children should walk to school. They set up a piedibus (literally foot-bus in Italian) ? a bus route with a driver but no vehicle. Each morning a mix of paid staff members and parental volunteers in fluorescent yellow vests lead lines of walking students along Lecco?s twisting streets to the schools? gates, Pied Piper-style, stopping here and there as their flock expands. At the Carducci School, 100 children, or more than half of the students, now take walking buses. Many of them were previously driven in cars. Giulio Greppi, a 9-year-old with shaggy blond hair, said he had been driven about a third of a mile each way until he started taking the piedibus. ?I get to see my friends and we feel special because we know it?s good for the environment,? he said. Although the routes are each generally less than a mile, the town?s piedibuses have so far eliminated more than 100,000 miles of car travel and, in principle, prevented thousands of tons of greenhouse gases from entering the air, Dario Pesenti, the town?s environment auditor, estimates. The number of children who are driven to school over all is rising in the United States and Europe, experts on both continents say, making up a sizable chunk of transportation?s contribution to greenhouse-gas emissions. The ?school run? made up 18 percent of car trips by urban residents of Britain last year, a national survey showed. In 1969, 40 percent of students in the United States walked to school; in 2001, the most recent year data was collected, 13 percent did, according to the federal government?s National Household Travel Survey. Lecco?s walking bus was the first in Italy, but hundreds have cropped up elsewhere in Europe and, more recently, in North America to combat the trend. Towns in France, Britain and elsewhere in Italy have created such routes, although few are as extensive and long-lasting as Lecco?s. In the United States, Columbia, Mo.; Marin County, Calif.; and Boulder, Colo., introduced modest walking-bus programs last year as part of a national effort, Safe Routes To School, which gives states money to encourage students to walk or ride their bicycles. Although carbon dioxide emissions from industry are declining on both continents, those from transportation account for almost one-third of all greenhouse-gas emissions in the United States and 22 percent in European Union countries. Across the globe, but especially in Europe, where European Union countries have pledged to reduce greenhouse gas production by 2012 under the United Nations? Kyoto protocol, there is great pressure to reduce car emissions. Last year the European Environmental Agency warned that car trips to school ? along with food importing and low-cost air travel ? were growing phenomena with serious implications for greenhouse gases. In the United States and in Europe, ?multiple threads are warping traditional school travel and making it harder for kids to walk,? said Elizabeth Wilson, a transportation researcher at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. Among those factors are a rise in car ownership; one-child families, often leery of sending students off to school on their own; cuts in school-bus service or charges for it as a result of school-budget cutbacks and fuel-price gyrations; and the decline of neighborhood schools and the rise of school choice, meaning that students often live farther from where they learn. Worse still, said Roger L. Mackett, professor at the Center for Transport Studies at University College in London, there is growing evidence that children whose parents drive a lot will become car-dependent adults. ?You?re getting children into a lifelong habit,? he said. In Lecco, car use has proved a tenacious habit even though the piedibus has caught on. ?Cars rule,? said Augosto Piazza, the founder of the city?s program, an elfin man with shining blue eyes, a bouncing gait and a yellow vest. As he ?drove? along a bus route on a recent morning, store owners waved fondly to the familiar packs of jabbering children. Yet as they pulled up to Carducci School, dozens of private cars were parked helter-skelter for dropoffs in the small plaza outside as gaggles of mothers chatted on the sidewalk nearby. ?I have two kids who go to different schools, plus their backpacks are so heavy,? said Manuela Corbetta, a mother in a black jacket and sunglasses, twirling her car keys as she explained why her children do not make the 15-minute trek. ?Sometimes they have 10 notebooks, so walking really isn?t practical.? Some children are dropped off by parents on their way to work, and some others live outside the perimeter of the piedibus?s reach, although there are collection points at the edge of town for such children. But many live right along a piedibus route, Mr. Piazza noted. Yet other parents praised the bus, saying it had helped their children master street safety and had a ripple effect within the family. ?When we go for shopping you think about walking ? you don?t automatically use the car,? said Luciano Prandoni, a computer programmer who was volunteering on his daughter?s route. The city of Lecco contributes roughly $20,000 annually toward organizing and providing staff members for the piedibus. The students perform a public service of sorts: they are encouraged to hand out warnings to cars that park illegally and chastise dog owners who do not clean up. Naturally some children whine on rainy mornings. Participation drops 20 percent on such days, although it increases during snowfalls. On rainy days, ?She says, ?Mom, please take me,? and sometimes I give in,? said Giovanna Luciano, who lives in the countryside and normally drops her daughter Giulia, 9, at a piedibus pickup point in a parking lot by a cemetery. To encourage use, children receive fare cards that are punched each day. The bus routes have distinctive names (the one through the graveyard is the mortobus), and compete for prizes like pizza parties for the students. Teachers have students write poems about the piedibus. In Britain, about half the local school systems now have some sort of incentives to encourage walking, although generally less formal ones than the piedibus, said Roger L. Mackett, a professor at the Center for Transport Studies at University College in London. ?It?s quite a lot of effort to keep it going,? he said. ?It?s always easier to put children in the back of the car. Once you?ve got your two or three cars, it takes effort not to use them.? Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company Source and fair use: This article originally appeared in the New York Times of 27 March 2009, by their reporter Elisabeth Rosenthal. You can view their original article here. And click here to view World Street's policy on Fair Use. Comments welcome. -- Posted By Eric Britton (Paris, France) to World Streets Daily at 3/27/2009 06:43:00 PM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090327/1d20401c/attachment.html From editor at worldstreets.org Sat Mar 28 03:22:40 2009 From: editor at worldstreets.org (Eric Britton (Paris, France)) Date: Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:22:40 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] [World Streets Daily] Honk! Contraflow Bus Lanes in London Message-ID: <1238178160002.4354f540-5d4b-4e1f-962c-9d9349e0c990@google.com> [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY0VeiJ1fz8] Here are a copule of new additions - To watch contra-flow bus lanes in opearation in London - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY0VeiJ1fz8 The above covers following locations - Russell Square, Piccadilly Circus, New oxford Street leading to Oxford Circus, Charing Cross Road near Tottenham Court (Tube station), London Road near Elephant & Castle tube station and finally Tooley street near London Bridge. To watch a short video giving insight in to workings of the pre-signal technology - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV3pAjzVhfw Use the HQ button on the bottom right of the Youtube display screen to watch in better quality. Thanks Adhiraj JoglekarLondon UK -- Posted By Eric Britton (Paris, France) to World Streets Daily at 3/27/2009 07:21:00 PM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090327/cbca3398/attachment.html From editor at worldstreets.org Sat Mar 28 22:27:39 2009 From: editor at worldstreets.org (Eric Britton (Paris, France)) Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2009 06:27:39 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] [World Streets Daily] World Streets Correspondents Message-ID: <1238246859807.d5578d53-87ee-4b61-b20a-e753008a46bd@google.com> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} We live in a world and in a sector in which not quite reliable information and rather too easy thinking often abound. Thus while the main objective of World Streets is to provide reliable access to what is going on at the leading edge of thinking, policy, and practice in the field of sustainable transportation worldwide, we also at the same time have an obligation not to lure our readers into thinking too simply about these issues and falling for what they may at first glance think to be "solutions" to their problems and aspirations. The challenge to sustainable transportation reform is already tough enough, without being encumbered by half baked ideas and wishful thinking. We can do better than that. This is where our network of international correspondents and contributors comes into play. And since they are not only knowledgeable about the sector, but are also close to the cities and streets in question, they help us to develop more balanced approach to reporting on the sector. We count on them for this, and indeed they have been invited to participate because in every case we know them to be independent critical thinkers. We invite you to review the latest listing that appears under the Correspondents rubric on the masthead to your left, where you will see their names, cities and countries in each case. It is a very impressive group. If you wish to know more about them, all you have to do is click their entry which will in each case take you to further information on their background, work and accomplishments. -- Posted By Eric Britton (Paris, France) to World Streets Daily at 3/28/2009 02:17:00 PM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090328/da835afe/attachment.html From morten7an at yahoo.com Sun Mar 29 14:59:08 2009 From: morten7an at yahoo.com (Morten Lange) Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2009 22:59:08 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] Geneva turned bicycle friendly in 5 years ? Message-ID: <705790.55249.qm@web51008.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Hi, I recently heard that Geneva, Switzerland had gone "bicycle friendly" in just 5 years. Can anyone confirm this ? Any pointers or details ? Kind regards, Morten Lange P.S. ( Now, with that question off my chest, I can go back to sleep... ) From editor at worldstreets.org Sun Mar 29 23:02:37 2009 From: editor at worldstreets.org (Eric Britton (Paris, France)) Date: Sun, 29 Mar 2009 07:02:37 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] =?utf-8?Q?=5BWorld_Streets_Daily=5D_World_Streets_PBS_P?= =?utf-8?Q?rofiles_Series_=E2=80=93_Spring_2009?= Message-ID: <1238335357333.5f37051f-548f-474c-8335-ebdb08918e12@google.com> [http://www.citybike.newmobility.org] Introduction to PBS Interview Series The city bike -- shared bike, or public bicycle system (PBS) as it is variously called -- is a quite new as well as a very effective way of getting around in the city, at least as it is practiced at the leading edge . Most certainly the fastest growing form of urban transport in the world today (admittedly from a minuscule base), it is at once the darling of the media and a favorite photo op of mayors and public officials all over the world.. However there is a small problem. That being that while they look simple enough at first glance ? bunch of bikes, bunch of stands for parking them, and Bob's your uncle -- the reality turns out to be far more complex. (See "Not just one more pretty bike project" here.". This has lead to a situation over the last couple of years where many cities are showing great enthusiasm for the concept, without necessarily fully appreciating what is required on their part to make them into successes. As a result we are seeing far too many weak projects and weak plans in city after city around the world. But it does not have to be this way. Where to turn for solid counsel on how to plan and implement your city bike project? Certainly if you are able to dig deep into the interstices of the most successful projects ? not always easy to do for a variety of reasons ? there are valuable clues to be had. Beyond this however certainly one of the most solid sources of information and perspective is the leading supplier groups who have partnered with the best projects thus far to get them up and running. But how to make this contact in a positive and creative way? This turns out to be something of a challenge because in project after project we are seeing the suppliers being treated less as partners and more often as almost adversaries. It is the rare city indeed that manages to get this relationship right. Of course the suppliers are profit-making firms whose business it is to get and execute a good contract under favorable terms. But if you are a member of a city team considering a project of your own, do not lose sight of the fact that they are also your best information partners. How to bridge this gap? Here is where this new series of World Streets is hoping to step in. We have planned to carry out a cycle of interviews with a number of the leading groups working in the field, in an attempt to ask some of the questions that you may have in your pocket. The first of these interviews will be published here in early April with the team behind the about-to-launch Montreal Bixi project, followed a week later with a second exchange with one of the leaders of the Clear Channel SmartBike program. In this way we get the ball rolling by going to both the newest and the oldest of the state-of-the-art city projects, with the other leaders to follow in short order. Your comments and questions will be welcome on each profile, using the Comment link under the respective interview. Likewise if you have more general points to share with us, we invite you to Comment in the link at the end of this entry. If you have questions you would like us to add to our list of ten for each interview, pass them on and we will see what we can do with them. The Editor * For the record, one of the most valuable sources of information on this topic is the World City Bike Consortium started by the New Mobility Partnerships in 2006 as a place to share information and ask questions from people directly involved at the working level. You can consult this site freely at www.citybike.newmobility.org. -- Posted By Eric Britton (Paris, France) to World Streets Daily at 3/29/2009 04:00:00 PM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090329/c68e7532/attachment.html From peebeebarter at gmail.com Mon Mar 30 22:04:19 2009 From: peebeebarter at gmail.com (Paul Barter) Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:04:19 +0800 Subject: [sustran] Fwd: [NewMobilityCafe] Shaping Mumbai in to a people's transport friendly city... In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <6fc1c1110903300604t22706e46vdb72d79455fb131d@mail.gmail.com> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Faizan Jawed Date: 2009/3/30 Subject: [NewMobilityCafe] Shaping Mumbai in to a people's transport friendly city... To: NewMobilityCafe@yahoogroups.com Hello Friends, Finally I have something to report from Mumbai! After traveling around the world studying and experiencing the benefits and joys that sustainable mobility brings to cities, I have been eager to get something started at home. Mumbai is India's commercial capital; I believe this is one of the most image-driven cities in India (read popular advertisement driven). Below you will read about a small initiative that I took along with a friend from Columbia University who is currently in Mumbai. We are really looking forward (and trying our best) to building this movement up. Cyclists in city ask for more pedal power http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4328736.cms Ashley D?Mello I TNN Mumbai: Why are bicycles, which don?t pollute, take up little space, are cheap and have virtually no maintenance cost, not a popular mode of travel in Mumbai? According to activists and cycling enthusiasts, the reasons are a mindset that favours motorised vehicles and a lack of infrastructure to promote cycling in the city. These were the two chief issues discussed during a public meeting at the Carter Road amphitheatre, Bandra (W), to popularise cycling in the city to check pollution and reduce traffic congestion. The meeting, which generated a buzz in the vicinity, had several passersby joining in. Also among the participants were young professionals working in the IT industry and call centres. Biking enthusiasts and activists discussed the need for dedicated infrastructure comprising separate facilities for cyclists. This includes segregated lanes, bicycle parking stands at railway stations, shopping malls and public places, special signage and traffic signals for bicycles. Activists said dedicated infrastructure for bicycle riders would allow faster shortdistance journeys (between one and six km), which might even be more effective than going by car. Added to this are the health benefits of cycling, they added. Activists Fawzan Javed and Colin Christopher, who initiated the move for the meeting, felt that starting a bicycle movement in Bandra would set a precedent for other suburbs to follow. Javed is an architect from Mumbai, while Christopher, a student at Columbia University, New York, is currently doing a stint with Pukar, an NGO. ?Once the initiative takes off, it will grow and we will have less congestion and pollution on the roads,?? said Javed. Javed, who has undertaken a project on the bicycle movement across the globe, said it was becoming popular in Asian cities and was already an established mode of transport in European cities. His idea is to have a bicycle lane network in Bandra to enable citizens to ride along freely. Ashok Datar of the Environment Social Network said over the last four decades, roads have been overtaken by cars, edging out the humble cyclist. ?We have the usual delivery boys and milkmen using bicycles, but there has been a steep decline in the number of people riding bicycles in general. This is because of a lack of dedicated space for bikers, unlike in other cities of the world,?? he said. ?Six percent of the city?s population owns bicycles, which is the same as the percentage of motorised vehicle owners. This only shows that there is a need to give environment-friendly modes of transport, such as bicycles, as much importance as is given to others,?? added Datar. Several bikers from Dadar, who are part of the Mumbai Critical Mass cycling event, cycled down for the meeting and expressed concern at the problems bikers face on the road daily. Critical Mass is held every Friday in over 300 cities around the world to promote an alternative means of transport, they explained. Seema Parakh of the World Resources Institute, said they were networking with local ALMs and citizens? groups to set up the bicycle path network in Bandra. Javed said the central government was gradually changing its stand and encouraging non-motorised modes of transport in cities under the plans funded by the JNNURM. Development of bicycle infrastructure projects was under way at Delhi, Pune, Nanded and Bangalore, he said. ----------------------------------------- What the article does not mention is the presence in the meeting of a large number of working class people (read economically weaker section) who comprise over 80% of the bicyclists in Indian cities. These people listened to the deliberations (that were in Hindi) intently but did not speak up even after several attempts at convincing them. The class boundaries here are very strong. The challenge ahead to shape this in to a real people's movement is actually making them speak up and demand. My name has been misspelt in the article as Fawzan Javed instead of the correct Faizan Jawed. With best regards, Faizan. 2008 RIBA Norman Foster Traveling Scholar Berkeley Prize 2008 Finalist +91-9820981298 phaizan@gmail.com From editor at worldstreets.org Tue Mar 31 15:25:47 2009 From: editor at worldstreets.org (Eric Britton (Paris, France)) Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:25:47 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] [World Streets] Bad News Department is really great idea! Message-ID: <1238480747266.0300ae1e-9972-4b85-93f7-a28488b165e1@google.com> Bad News Department is really great idea! I can say it as a contributor to various magazines (mainly cycling and popular-scientific ones) with 25 years of experience. "Bad news is a good news" approach is popular rather between the evening papers, but who don't likes gossiping? >From the other hand, early alert may help to take countermeasures -- be forewarned is to be forearmed. Recently I have had in my Department a meeting about the Public Bike project with people from Public Transport Authority. What have been their first words? "The mass loss of Velib bikes forces us to rethink the idea of..." And -- thanks to the Bad News Department -- I could tell them: "Don't get used too much to this idea. The news is highly exaggerated. We will make our plan real". They were not very happy -- I've got a feeling thet they'll start the project just for to write a report: "Running the PBS is non possible". We'll see... Marek Utkin Warsaw, Poland -- Posted By Eric Britton (Paris, France) to World Streets at 3/30/2009 06:22:00 AM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090330/2b482df8/attachment.html From editor at worldstreets.org Tue Mar 31 16:57:39 2009 From: editor at worldstreets.org (Eric Britton (Paris, France)) Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:57:39 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [sustran] [World Streets] A thing so slight: Message-ID: <1238486259438.fc868a02-927d-4e7e-9cde-e62a3f0360d8@google.com> [http://blip.tv/play/AcvUegA] The medium is the message with the Paris bike project Eric Britton, Editor, World Streets, Paris, France Automobiles are often conveniently tagged as the villains responsible for the ills of cities and the disappointments and futilities of city planning. But the destructive effects of automobiles are much less a cause than a symptom of our incompetence at city building. The simple needs of automobiles are more easily understood and satisfied than the complex needs of cities, and a growing number of planners and designers have come to believe that if they can only solve the problems of traffic, they will thereby have solved the major problems of cities. Cities have much more intricate economic and social concerns than automobile traffic. How can you know what to try with traffic until you know how the city itself works, and what else it needs to do with its streets? You can't." - Jane Jacobs, Death and Life of Great American Cities , 1961 A bicycle? Two spindly wheels held together by a frail metal frame and launched into wobbly motion with some kind of bizarre arrangement for your willing feet to move you from A to B. First introduced in yes! Paris almost two hundred years ago (1817 model just to your right), the bike been around for something like a century and a half and has had its moments of glory and its moments of ... neglect. So why should it be that as we move toward the end of his first decade of this new century I should be taking your time to talk about something that is so small, so trivial, so out of date, so surely meaningless in an age in which the problems of our daily lives of our planet are enormous and in many ways crushing us to the mat? To get a feel for that, let?s start with a quick look out the rearview mirror. A glance back: In order to make any sense of what an eventual renaissance of the bicycle might make in our daily lives and in our cities, it will be useful for us to have a quick glance back to recall what happened the last time a rolling beast of metal and rubber appeared on the scene of our daily lives. Remember? There we were living and working, going to school in playing in cities and towns across America, and getting around in our daily lives on our feet, occasionally by bicycle, and as often as not by some combination of buses, trams and trainings. Of course there were also cars, but these were not really available to most of us, at least not when the beginning of the car era started to shape up. What happened? As prosperity reared its supposedly beautiful head in the wake of the Second World War, more and more people started to have a new transportation option in the form of their own car. It was, just about everyone said, a great and wonderful thing. And then, slowly and without our really being quite aware, they started to change a lot of things in our daily lives and in our cities. The story has been told many times and perhaps never better than by our dear Mrs. Jane Jacobs, but the essence of it is that the main contribution of this new bit of technology is the manner in which it has transformed and in a huge number of cases virtually gutted our cities. Pulling them apart with seven league boots that simply don?t fit into the perimeter of our cold cities. So in case after case the city fell apart and moved ?out of town?. Marshall McLuhan told us decades ago that the medium was the message, and indeed that turned out to be the case with cars. We got the message so that if you look around it's not very hard to figure out what that message was. True auto-mobility Then one day, with little fanfare a transportation revolution started to get underway, and if you have not heard a great deal about it till now, stay tuned because this is a message that one way or another is going to get in some form to just about every city of any size in North America, and indeed in many other parts of the world. The new message is the ?City Bike?, or Public Bicycle System, which is probably today the fastest growing transportation innovation in the world. They could not be more simple. The basic principle is that a city creates a new kind of public transport system, this one based on free (or almost free) bicycles which you can pick up at many points around the city, ride to get you where you want to go, and then leave it off in another handily located station. Today there are more than one hundred such new systems underway, with the most famous being the huge new system brought to Paris in the summer of 2007 under the name V?lib? (roughly free bike), of which there are more than 16,000 currently in service and with 20,000 targeted this Spring (2009). Other large systems are in operation or underway in Barcelona, Lyon, Rome, Berlin, and in North America there are several dozen cities looking carefully at this idea, with a major project about to come on line in Montreal in the weeks ahead.. What is interesting about these revolutionary transportation systems is that . . . they work! Think of them as small, perfectly clean one-person buses that you can pick up where you want, when you want, leave when you want, and go where you want. Personal Rapid Transit. True ubiquitous auto-mobility at last. Come to Paris (or Barcelona, or Lyons, or or ) and have a look for yourself. Or, if you don?t have a ticket, you can always check it out at World City Bikes at http://www.citybike.newmobility.org/. The Public Broadcasting System of the United States broadcast a film on V?lib? and The Greening or Paris in December 2008. You can pick it up on line at http://www.e2-series.com/, click Webcast, then Paris. A trailer for the program is available at http://blip.tv/play/AcvUegA -- Posted By Eric Britton (Paris, France) to World Streets at 3/30/2009 09:52:00 AM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20090331/ebdf5921/attachment.html