From hs.sudhira at gmail.com Thu Aug 1 12:20:30 2013 From: hs.sudhira at gmail.com (H. S. Sudhira) Date: Thu, 1 Aug 2013 08:50:30 +0530 Subject: [sustran] [Talk Invite]: Bussing in contemporary Bengaluru: A preliminary study of its social and political elements. Message-ID: Apologies for cross-posting. Sudhira. -- Gubbbi Labs www.gubbilabs.in -- * Bangalore Bus Prayanikara Vedike * invites you to a talk on the bus-system in Bangalore titled - * *Bussing in contemporary Bengaluru: A preliminary study of its social and political elements* The talk will be delivered by Dr.Govind Gopakumar (Centre for Engineering in Society, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada) and Rajani S S(Independent Consultant) The details of the venue and date are as follows - *Venue* : Alternative Law Forum, #122/4, Infantry Road, Bangalore-560001. Landmark : Close to Medinova Diagnostics *Time and Date* : 11.00 AM - 1.00 PM ; 3rd August ; Saturday *All are invited.* *Abstract* The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), a parastatal organization constituted by the Government of Karnataka in 1997, administers bus transportation in the city of Bengaluru. Although BMTC manages one of the largest fleets of buses in the country, given its critical role in public transportation in Bengaluru, numerous actors such as civil society, activists, professional consultants, and academics have examined different aspects of the city?s bus transportation. Such inquiries have become all the more relevant in the context of the far-reaching changes at the operational, infrastructural, and technological levels that Bangaloreans have been witness to in the last few years. The concurrence of these changes indicates a potential paradigm shift in the experience of utilizing buses (or bussing) in Bengaluru. Given the significant influence that public transportation exerts on livelihoods and quality of life of citizens, an examination of the social and political aspects is indispensable to understanding the consequences of this shift. This presentation is the result of a preliminary investigation into the social and political dimensions of bussing in Bengaluru. It proceeds by proposing a framework to understand bussing and then presents some initial qualitative data to flesh out the framework. While it is still early to present conclusive findings, the presentation will conclude by suggesting some preliminary directions in which bussing appears to be proceeding in Bengaluru. *About the Speakers* *Govind Gopakumar* is Associate Chair and Assistant Professor at the Centre for Engineering in Society at Concordia University, Montreal, Canada. His primary research interest is in understanding the social, technical and policy dynamics of change in public infrastructure in cities of the developing world. His current research project titled Assembling Infrastructure Decongestion is funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Canada. His book, Transforming Urban Water Supply Regimes in Cities in India, was published by Routledge in 2012. A secondary interest is in understanding the process of transformation in engineering education. At Concordia, Govind has developed and taught several courses including Technology and Society, Engineering Ethics and Professionalism, and Development and Global Engineering. *Rajani SS* has been working in the development sector for the last twenty five years across sectors in different capacities. She has been working on issues ranging from Urban Poverty,* *Women?s Empowerment, Empowerment of Women Elected Representatives in Local Governance (Panchayati Raj Institutions). Housing & Habitat issues, Micro Credit & Livelihood activities, Nutrition and Health of Women & Children and Counseling and Guidance to Women and Children in distress. In her most recent assignment she was heading the regional office of the Indo-Global Social Service Society (IGSSS) , working on Urban Homelessness. She coordinated a city wide survey on homelessness and also coordinated a civil society forum on the same. The forum worked with the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagar Palike to open shelters for the homeless in Bangalore and other activities towards the welfare of the urban homeless in Bangalore. -- Vinay K Sreenivasa Alternative Law Forum 98805 95032 122/4, Infantry Road, (Opposite Infantry Wedding Hall) Bangalore 560001 ** Bangalore Bus Prayanikara Vedike ~ Bangalore Bus Commuters Forum * From paulbarter at reinventingtransport.org Thu Aug 1 17:03:32 2013 From: paulbarter at reinventingtransport.org (Paul Barter) Date: Thu, 1 Aug 2013 16:03:32 +0800 Subject: [sustran] Look to the "New Transit Metropolises" Message-ID: A new post at Reinventing Urban Transport should be of interest for sustran-discussers. See http://www.reinventingtransport.org/2013/08/attention-newly-motorizing-cities-look.html "Attention newly motorizing cities! Look to NEW Transit Metropolises!" Shares a presentation made in Delhi last week in which I make the following claims: 1. "New Transit Cities" are especially relevant for newly motorizing cities (such as India?s cities) 2. Cities that are now New Transit Cities were, in the past, faced with challenging circumstances similar to those facing India?s cities today (namely a flood of vehicles causing traffic saturation at a time when they lacked significant mass transit that was immune from traffic) 3. After flirting with accommodating cars, the New Transit Cities all resisted the idea that cars are a necessity and acted to make sure cars remained optional. See http://www.reinventingtransport.org/2013/08/attention-newly-motorizing-cities-look.html Paul Barter From pbachu at embarqindia.org Mon Aug 5 11:06:18 2013 From: pbachu at embarqindia.org (Prashanth Bachu) Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2013 07:36:18 +0530 Subject: [sustran] iBus Status Update Message-ID: Dear All, Greetings. I am happy to share with you all that the 3 month old iBus (Indore BRT) has touched the *2,000 passengers/kilometer* mark this week. The average daily ridership over the past week (29th July - 4th August) is *22,701 pax/day* over its 11.35km BRT corridor. This has been achieved with just 14 operating buses (with one bus in spare). [image: Inline images 1] On the revenue front, iBus clocked an average of *Rs.65/km* (including dead kilometers) over the last week. For regular updates, like us on facebook ( www.fb.com/IndoreBRT). Regards, *Prashanth Bachu* *Project Manager - Urban Transport* *EMBARQ India***** 1st Floor, Godrej & Boyce Premises, Gasworks Lane, Lalbaug, Parel, Mumbai 400012 pbachu@embarqindia.org | +91 8305696456 Blog: TheCityFix.com | Twitter: @EMBARQIndia | Facebook.com/EMBARQIndia **** **** www.EMBARQIndia.org **** www.WRI.org **** **** EMBARQ helps cities make sustainable transport a reality. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/png Size: 15949 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://list.jca.apc.org/public/sustran-discuss/attachments/20130805/29f2f967/attachment.png From datar.ashok at gmail.com Mon Aug 5 12:47:59 2013 From: datar.ashok at gmail.com (ashok datar) Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2013 09:17:59 +0530 Subject: [sustran] Re: iBus Status Update In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: we all look fwd to such good news from Indore brts. what is the media and popular perception ? congrats any way and share more such news ashok datar mesn On Mon, Aug 5, 2013 at 7:36 AM, Prashanth Bachu wrote: > Dear All, > Greetings. I am happy to share with you all that the 3 month old iBus > (Indore BRT) has touched the *2,000 passengers/kilometer* mark this week. > The average daily ridership over the past week (29th July - 4th > August) is *22,701 > pax/day* over its 11.35km BRT corridor. This has been achieved with just 14 > operating buses (with one bus in spare). > > [image: Inline images 1] > > On the revenue front, iBus clocked an average of *Rs.65/km* (including dead > kilometers) over the last week. > > For regular updates, like us on facebook ( > > www.fb.com/IndoreBRT). > > Regards, > > *Prashanth Bachu* > > *Project Manager - Urban Transport* > > *EMBARQ India***** > 1st Floor, Godrej & Boyce Premises, Gasworks Lane, Lalbaug, Parel, Mumbai > 400012 > > pbachu@embarqindia.org | +91 8305696456 > > Blog: TheCityFix.com | Twitter: @EMBARQIndia > | > Facebook.com/EMBARQIndia > **** > > **** > > www.EMBARQIndia.org **** > > www.WRI.org **** > > **** > > EMBARQ helps cities make sustainable transport a reality. > > -------------------------------------------------------- > To search the archives of sustran-discuss visit > http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=014715651517519735401:ijjtzwbu_ss > > ================================================================ > SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, > equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries > (the 'Global South'). > -- Ashok R. Datar Mumbai Environmental Social Network (MESN) & Mumbai Transport Forum (MTF) * * 20 Madhavi, Makarand Society, S.V.S.Marg, Mahim-400 016 98676 65107/0222 444 9212 see our website : www.mesn.org *A city is developed not when poor ride or aspire for cars, but where the rich use public transport* * * From yanivbin at gmail.com Wed Aug 7 14:07:15 2013 From: yanivbin at gmail.com (Vinay Baindur) Date: Wed, 7 Aug 2013 10:37:15 +0530 Subject: [sustran] Smart cards for Shillong Public Transport Service (SPTS) buses from next month Message-ID: http://meghalayatimes.info/index.php/front-page/21102-smart-cards-for-spts-buses-from-next-month Smart cards for SPTS buses from next month Written by Meghalaya Times. Posted in Front Page *Staff Reporter* *SHILLONG, Aug 06:* Finally, the public transport buses in Shillong would be getting the much awaited smart card, where a passenger can buy the cards from designated counters, instead of buying tickets onboard the buses. The Shillong Public Transport Service (SPTS) has been the saving grace for the public, otherwise harrowed by overzealous local taxis. After the introduction of the service there has been a lot of relief amongst the public and also helped, to an extent, in reducing traffic on the road. Although the decision to introduce smart card was on the list of the urban affairs department long time back, however, the decision could not be implemented for unknown reasons. Principal Secretary to Urban Affairs department, Prashant Naik, Tuesday informed that in a month?s time the smart card would be made available to the public. The card would be used simultaneously with the tickets issued by conductors and in the process would streamline the collection immensely. The smart card would be swiped by the conductors on the ticket collecting machines and the exact prices for the journey would be deducted, in the same way a debit or a credit card works. The cards would help do away with the frequent complaints of passengers that conductors do not issue ticket or overcharge the fare or not handing out changes. Apart from the card, the conductors would be wearing uniforms and also wear a name tag. ?Wearing of uniforms and name tags would be made mandatory amongst the conductors,? Naik stated. Currently, about 100 buses ply on the streets of the State capital; additionally there are 30 special transport vehicles. Moreover, there are 130 odd maxi taxis that are also being operated by the urban affairs department. The urban affairs department said that more buses would be pressed into service under the second phase of the allotment under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). Naik said once the second batch is allotted to the State, the buses would be pressed into service uniformly around the city. Currently, there is a discrepancy in the frequency of buses approaching bus stands. In some parts of the city, the frequency of a bus arriving to a bus stand is about two minutes, whereas in other parts the frequency is ten or even twenty minutes. ?We would try to rationalize so that buses are distributed evenly through all routes,? he added. The Principal Secretary also informed that the urban affairs department has taken 50 buses from Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC), out of which just 21 were ?road worthy?. ?The rest are being repaired and being put into service slowly to boost the public transport system,? he said. He further said that the public transport system is being operated on a sustainable revenue model, wherein the profit margin is low and the benefit is shared by the Government and the public equally in the form of subsidized fare. From navdeep.asija at gmail.com Sun Aug 11 13:57:20 2013 From: navdeep.asija at gmail.com (Asija, Navdeep) Date: Sun, 11 Aug 2013 10:27:20 +0530 Subject: [sustran] Eco ricks give cabs a run for their money in Chandigarh Message-ID: Gautam Dheer, Deccan Herald, 11 August 2013 Not a horse, but a human pulling a two-wheeled slow carriage vehicle on road was how a rickshaw looked like way back in 1880 when it was first introduced in India in hill state Shimla. More than a century later, the rickshaw, in its present form, with three wheels just got more friendly, accessible and ?tech-savvy?. It?s back in vogue, in style that makes it perhaps no less irresistible in French architect Le Corbusier-designed Chandigarh. The city is the first place where residents can now dial-a-rickshaw, just like the dial-a-cab facility. Within minutes, it?s at your service, right at your doorsteps. It?s a unique concept which is more than just a dial-up option. For the mistaken ones, the rickshaws ferry more passengers than cars and its count far outnumbering the motorised vehicles. Take for instance Punjab, where there are an estimated 2.6 lakh cars and 3 lakh rickshaws. Data on daily occupancy rate of cars vs the human-paddled rickshaw suggests that three-wheelers ferry 60 lakh people daily compared to just about 4 lakh people who commute by four-wheelers. >From the erstwhile days of the British Raj, when the rickshaw was more an elite mode that assuaged the Englishmen ?Bara Sahib? tall ego, the rickshaw is now seen more as an ?aam aadmi savari?. But in Chandigarh, the dial-a-rickshaw fad is getting increasingly popular, even with the moneyed people. The entire concept around which this facility revolves has a philanthropic twist as well, which to many, is the better part. All the registrations for rickshaws have been carried purely on the recommendation of city residents. Here?s how it works? Just identify a rickshawallah-- say the migrant who parks himself each day under the fading shade of a tree somewhere close to a posh locality hoping to earn a living by sweating it out in sweltering heat and chilly winter months-- and seek his willingness to begin with. Next, click his picture and details, including his mobile number, and upload it at the community portal that has been designed for eco-cabs. Fifteen minutes of training on basic courtesies is extended to all rickshaw pullers by a team and that too on the phone. That?s it. Next time anyone looking for a rickshaw in a given sector would simply have to dial the number. Navdeep Asija, an IIT Delhi graduate and the man behind the eco-cabs conc?e?pt, told Deccan Herald :?From budget airlines to express trains, metro rails, low floor buses, on-call taxis and auto rickshaws, we are almost always on the go, counting time as money and spending money on fuel. In this race against time, the humble cycle rickshaw lies ignored as nothing much has been done to streamline this service. But despite this indifference, these low cost-vehicles still carry a large share of urban mobility?. ?We have now developed a website (www.chandigarh.ecocabs.org) with Google maps pin-pointing the location of rickshaw stands in each sector and cell phone numbers of rickshaw pullers. It's a community-run portal where any user can refer a rickshaw puller by uploading his picture, contact details and location,? Asija said. An Android-based application for mobile phone users which can be used both for adding details of rickshaw puller as well as for searching a rickshaw near your location has also been developed and is being used. Soon, users would be able to use the service through SMS notification. The ?good etiquette? training of registered rickshaw pullers is also being done collectively at night shelters, he said. While many of the registered rickshaws are still the traditional heavy weight designs, some eco-cabs have designs meant for the comfort of both the puller and the customer. Navdeep said traditional rickshaws are heavy, have less sitting space and chance of breakdown and accidents are more as the canopy is not always open and wheels are on the outer side. ?The eco-cabs are light weight, will increase sitting space and cushion. It will be low floor for easy access to senior citizens and children. A seat belt, dustbin, newspaper, tourist map and FM radio will be added features eventually,? he said. Traditional rickshaws use mango wood which is heavy and deteriorates with time. New eco cabs are made of steel-pipe which helped reduce the weight by 35 kg, Asija said. Based on data tabulated, Navdeep Asija said there are around 25,000 rickshaws running on city roads transporting 20 passengers each and hence saving 75,000 litres of fuel daily. So what is the next level? Navdeep says the plan in Chandigarh is to introduce ?Rapid Rickshaw Transit?, a fixed tariff rickshaw between the Sukhna Lake and the Rock Garden, the two tourist hotspots of the city. It is a concept in line with the Bus Rapid Transit, he explained. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/350387/eco-ricks-give-cabs-run.html From yanivbin at gmail.com Wed Aug 14 13:00:26 2013 From: yanivbin at gmail.com (Vinay Baindur) Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2013 09:30:26 +0530 Subject: [sustran] Procurement of buses and ancillary infrastructure for UT under JNNURM Message-ID: http://pib.gov.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=98191 Funding for procurement of buses and ancillary infrastructure for urban transport under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for all cities/ towns/ Urban Agglomerations (UAs) in India The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today approved the funding for procurement of up to 10,000 buses and ancillary infrastructure for urban transport under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for all cities/ towns/ urban agglomerations (UAs) with special emphasis on hilly States. The total approximate project cost is Rs.6,300 crore and the total estimated Additional Central Assistance (ACA) is about Rs. 4,450 crore. The funding will improve urban services, particularly urban transport which is the engine of growth in cities and towns. The salient features of the programme are as under: i. Sanctioning of ancillary infrastructure projects including construction/ upgradation of depots/ terminals/ stations/ control centers, Intelligent Transport Management Systems (ITS) which was not sanctioned in the earlier bus funding programme etc. ii. Earmarking of atleast 20 percent of the total ACA and a minimum of 2,000 buses for the hill States including the North Eastern States, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. However if these States are not able to complete the placement of orders and complete other requisite processes by 31.01.2014, the un-utilized allocation would be redistributed in the month of February/March, 2014. iii. The financial support as ACA for ancillary infrastructure components under this programme would be a maximum Rs.20 crore for cities with million plus population and Rs. one crore and above for smaller cities. iv. There will be no State-wise allocation and the funds will be allocated on the basis of their needs, capacity and preparedness. v. New projects under this programme would be sanctioned only up to 31.03.2014. vi. The time-lines for procurement of buses would be co-terminus with the period of JNNURM. vii. Urban Transport will be an admissible component for the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) also. viii. Buses will be procured according to revised urban bus specifications released by the Ministry on 6.5.2013. From carloscadenagaitan at gmail.com Sun Aug 18 20:01:18 2013 From: carloscadenagaitan at gmail.com (=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Carlos_Cadena_Gait=E1n?=) Date: Sun, 18 Aug 2013 13:01:18 +0200 Subject: [sustran] Your activity for Car-Free Day 2013 Message-ID: Hi all, In 2012, urban cycling groups from Brazil, Colombia and Mexico got together to create symbolic bike lanes in their cities. We did this simultaneously during the 2012 Car-Free Day. Thanks to that action, we were fortunate to win a prize at Velo-City Vienna, and thus we decided to take the action to another level. This year, we've opened the activity for groups all over to give their cities any sort of creative gift, in favour of urban cycling (see for example: http://bit.ly/1asDdlv) [in spanish]. It would be great to have some of you participate in your cities. Of course, if this is not your kind of thing, advertising the activity in your own local networks is appreciated. You can find all the info here: www.bikes4life.org (where you can also see that as of TODAY, August 18th, we have *confirmed* 76 groups from 17 nations already) Registration takes only 2 minutes, and the activity for 09/22 only has one condition: creativity! Join here: www.bicisporlavida.org/en/join-now Best, *Carlos Cadena Gait?n * *PhD Research Fellow* *United Nations University ? MERIT.* From carloscadenagaitan at gmail.com Sun Aug 18 20:01:18 2013 From: carloscadenagaitan at gmail.com (=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Carlos_Cadena_Gait=E1n?=) Date: Sun, 18 Aug 2013 13:01:18 +0200 Subject: [sustran] Your activity for Car-Free Day 2013 Message-ID: Hi all, In 2012, urban cycling groups from Brazil, Colombia and Mexico got together to create symbolic bike lanes in their cities. We did this simultaneously during the 2012 Car-Free Day. Thanks to that action, we were fortunate to win a prize at Velo-City Vienna, and thus we decided to take the action to another level. This year, we've opened the activity for groups all over to give their cities any sort of creative gift, in favour of urban cycling (see for example: http://bit.ly/1asDdlv) [in spanish]. It would be great to have some of you participate in your cities. Of course, if this is not your kind of thing, advertising the activity in your own local networks is appreciated. You can find all the info here: www.bikes4life.org (where you can also see that as of TODAY, August 18th, we have *confirmed* 76 groups from 17 nations already) Registration takes only 2 minutes, and the activity for 09/22 only has one condition: creativity! Join here: www.bicisporlavida.org/en/join-now Best, *Carlos Cadena Gait?n * *PhD Research Fellow* *United Nations University ? MERIT.* From navdeep.asija at gmail.com Mon Aug 19 14:01:09 2013 From: navdeep.asija at gmail.com (Asija, Navdeep) Date: Mon, 19 Aug 2013 10:31:09 +0530 Subject: [sustran] Punjab plans to tighten driving licence norms Message-ID: CHANDIGARH: It may no longer be easy to turn the learner's licence into a regular one with just a driving test in Punjab. The draft Punjab State Road Safety Policy has recommended delaying the process of getting driving license by introducing a system of Graduated Licensing System (GLS), as prevailing in countries like USA, Australia and Hong Kong, wherein aspirant drivers have to drive with letter "P" displayed on the vehicle. The idea behind the move is to ensure that young drivers get thorough exposure to driving before they get the status of full-fledged drivers, sources said. Under the proposed system, an intermediate step would be made mandatory after the learner's licence and a new driver will have to get an intermediate, provisional or probationary license, which can come with restrictions on speed limits and the number of passengers in the vehicle. For this, amendments in the Motor Vehicle Act will have to be made. The GLS is used in different formats across the world. For instance, in Australia, learner drivers of Queensland have to get 100 hours of driving experience with a separate condition for minimum night driving before they are eligible to take the driving test. After one year, such provisional drivers will also have to pass a hazard-perception test. The draft road safety policy, as finalised by Punjab Governance Reforms Commission, has highlighted the need for setting up a road safety research and development centre along with a road safety laboratory, in collaboration with engineering and medical colleges in the state. It has also suggested tie-ups for road safety analysis, software development and human resource development required for implementing road safety measures in the state. The road safety lab will have a centralized road safety database management system and an analysis wing. The objective of the wing will be to perform certain types of qualitative and quantitative analysis of the existing data to understand road crash phenomena more scientifically. In another step to eliminate the possibility of casualties involving personal vehicles, the draft policy seeks a switchover to public transport. However, it has been pointed out that Punjab has only about 63 buses per 10 lakh population, suggesting a clear mismatch between demand and supply. The state has a population density of 550 people per sq km area. In order to promote public transport and discourage personal transport, the policy proposes a special thrust on increasing the number of buses for public transportation. The draft has also pointed out that road fatalities have shown a declining trend, by about 5%, in the state during the past three years. This has been attributed to increased enforcement levels, better post-crash evacuation mechanism, improvement in inter-city public transport and rise in fuel prices which has brought about a shift from personal transport to public transport as observed on the core road network in the state, sources said From kanthikannan at gmail.com Tue Aug 20 15:44:00 2013 From: kanthikannan at gmail.com (Kanthimathi Kannan) Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2013 12:14:00 +0530 Subject: [sustran] Reg Roof Top Gardens? Does this work? Any ideas? Message-ID: Dear all If you ever wanted to roll up a fistful of ethical practices into a single unit of living, breathing, carbon-neutral mass transit, try this one on for size: A landscape artist in Spain has put a garden on the roof of a bus. "My mission is to expand the garden area in urban environments, increase the absorption of CO2 and give public transport a new ecological and tourist attraction," says designer Marc Granen of his concept, which he's confusingly calling Phyto Kinetic. (When in doubt, keep it obvious, dude: *Snakes on a Plane*, mustard on a hot dog, Garden on a Bus?see a pattern?) The ?autocultural? single-decker has small shrubs and herbs sprouting from its roof. It can be watered naturally or better still, this being the blazing hot city of Girona, near Barcelona, by water from the vehicle?s air conditioning system. If I was the head of public transit in a perennially-rainy city, say Seattle, I'd have ordered a fleet of these garden buses yesterday. Granen's bus-garden baby isn't green for show?he and his team of science advisors have thought this concept through. One concern they've addressed is will the added weight of the garden reduce gas mileage? No?Urban Gardenreports that Granen "utilizes a lightweight, 7-centimeter thick hydroponic foam which is much lighter than soil, thereby significantly reducing the overall weight of the roof." Ever the eager beaver, Granen admits a desire to one day bring his lush roofs to the buses of the Big Apple. Assuming that the average bus roof size is 20 square meters, he estimates that there are more than 100,000 square meters of green roof in New York City. Imagine what all that photosynthesis would do to Manhattan air? But the landscaper isn't naive. He knows that a similar concept, Bio Bus, has failed to catch on. Still, he's cautiously optimistic about his prototype's future. "Mistakes offer opportunities for solutions," he says. "Edison performed a thousand failed experiments before developing the light bulb." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/10/rooftop-gardens-buses_n_3734153.html Thanks Kanthi Kannan From navdeep.asija at gmail.com Wed Aug 21 13:47:04 2013 From: navdeep.asija at gmail.com (Asija, Navdeep) Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2013 10:17:04 +0530 Subject: [sustran] Cycle rickshaw: A non-polluting mode of transport ignored by policymakers - Ravish Ki Diary (NDTV Classic) Message-ID: ???????? ??????? : ???? ?? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ????? ????... In this episode of Ravish Ki Report, they visit several neighborhoods in Delhi where the cycle rickshaw is a very convenient mode of transport for residents. A non-polluting and cheap mode of transport, it can manoeuver through the narrowest of alleys. Also, Ravish Kumar speaks to several cycle rickshaw pullers who explain their difficult lives and how they make ends meet. One of the best documentary on the life of cycle rickshaw and his struggle. From navdeep.asija at gmail.com Wed Aug 21 13:49:37 2013 From: navdeep.asija at gmail.com (Asija, Navdeep) Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2013 10:19:37 +0530 Subject: [sustran] Cycle rickshaw: A non-polluting mode of transport ignored by policymakers - Ravish Ki Diary (NDTV Classic) Message-ID: ???????? ??????? : ???? ?? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ????? ????... In this episode of Ravish Ki Report, they visit several neighborhoods in Delhi where the cycle rickshaw is a very convenient mode of transport for residents. A non-polluting and cheap mode of transport, it can manoeuver through the narrowest of alleys. Also, Ravish Kumar speaks to several cycle rickshaw pullers who explain their difficult lives and how they make ends meet. One of the best documentary on the life of cycle rickshaw and his struggle. http://khabar.ndtv.com/video/show/ravish-ki-report/276385 Regards, Navdeep Asija PS : Apologies for double posting. From carlosfpardo at gmail.com Thu Aug 22 23:45:12 2013 From: carlosfpardo at gmail.com (Carlosfelipe Pardo) Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 09:45:12 -0500 Subject: [sustran] Bogota NMT policies 1998-2012 (book chapter) References: <07072A13-F1C5-4265-BA1D-6F721E2F92EA@despacio.org> Message-ID: <49EBF5FC-FF36-4FCC-A4D8-AEFA07B4F02B@gmail.com> Hi, You may be interested in the brief chapter just published on Bogot?'s NMT policy 1998-2012: http://www.eltis.org/docs/tools/Pardo_Bogot_s_non-motorised_transport_policy_f49_64.pdf (It is more of a short writeup than an article, despite the fact that it has abstract etc, so don't expect an academic paper!) The full book is available in http://www.eltis.org/index.php?ID1=19&id=20 Pardo Sent from the unexpected outcome of Abulafia. Please excuse typos From carlosfpardo at gmail.com Tue Aug 27 01:02:12 2013 From: carlosfpardo at gmail.com (Carlosfelipe Pardo) Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2013 18:02:12 +0200 Subject: [sustran] Re: Reg Roof Top Gardens? Does this work? Any ideas? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: It would be nice to be able to hop on top of the roof and sleep for a while until you arrive at the destination. Definitely a new travel experience!! Probably sent while riding a bicycle. Please excuse typos On 20/08/2013, at 8:44, Kanthimathi Kannan wrote: > Dear all > > If you ever wanted to roll up a fistful of ethical practices into a single > unit of living, breathing, carbon-neutral mass transit, try this one on for > size: A landscape artist in Spain has put a garden on the roof of a bus. > > "My mission is to expand the garden area in urban environments, increase > the absorption of CO2 and give public transport a new ecological and > tourist attraction," says designer Marc Granen of his concept, which he's > confusingly calling Phyto Kinetic. (When in doubt, keep it obvious, > dude: *Snakes > on a Plane*, mustard on a hot dog, Garden on a Bus?see a pattern?) > > The ?autocultural? single-decker has small shrubs and herbs sprouting from > its roof. It can be watered naturally or better still, this being the > blazing hot city of Girona, near Barcelona, by water from the vehicle?s air > conditioning system. > > If I was the head of public transit in a perennially-rainy city, say > Seattle, I'd have ordered a fleet of these garden buses yesterday. > > Granen's bus-garden baby isn't green for show?he and his team of science > advisors have thought this concept through. One concern they've addressed > is will the added weight of the garden reduce gas mileage? No?Urban > Gardenreports > that Granen "utilizes a lightweight, 7-centimeter thick hydroponic > foam which is much lighter than soil, thereby significantly reducing the > overall weight of the roof." > > Ever the eager beaver, Granen admits a desire to one day bring his lush > roofs to the buses of the Big Apple. Assuming that the average bus roof > size is 20 square meters, he estimates that there are more than 100,000 > square meters of green roof in New York City. Imagine what all that > photosynthesis would do to Manhattan air? > > But the landscaper isn't naive. He knows that a similar concept, Bio > Bus, > has failed to catch on. Still, he's cautiously optimistic about his > prototype's future. "Mistakes offer opportunities for solutions," he says. > "Edison performed a thousand failed experiments before developing the light > bulb." > > > http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/10/rooftop-gardens-buses_n_3734153.html > > > Thanks > > Kanthi Kannan > -------------------------------------------------------- > To search the archives of sustran-discuss visit > http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=014715651517519735401:ijjtzwbu_ss > > ================================================================ > SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries (the 'Global South'). From yanivbin at gmail.com Thu Aug 29 19:20:47 2013 From: yanivbin at gmail.com (Vinay Baindur) Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2013 15:50:47 +0530 Subject: [sustran] CENTRE ENSURES TIMELY FUNDS FOR BUS MAJORS UNDER JNNURM Message-ID: http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/centre-ensures-timely-funds-for-bus-majors-under-jnnurm.html CENTRE ENSURES TIMELY FUNDS FOR BUS MAJORS UNDER JNNURM Thursday, 29 August 2013 | PNS | New Delhi 1 2 3 4 5 0 *Notwithstanding the complaints of frequent breakdown and fire incidents reported from the buses supplied by manufacturers like Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland under the JNNURM, the Centre has moved ahead to facilitate quick payment to the auto majors.* The Urban Development Ministry has made it mandatory for the State Governments to tie-up with the financial institutions such as HUDCO and ICICI for immediate financing of the cost of buses being purchased under the second phase of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). ?The State Governments will have to agree to release payments to the bus suppliers in terms of their mutual agreement without linking it to release of funds from the Central Government. ?In order to ensure that the bus manufacturers get their full payment in time after supply and inspection of the buses without waiting for release of funds from the Government, the States are required to tie-up within two months of project sanction by the Ministry with financial intermediaries such as HUDCO, nationalised banks, State finance corporation, ICICI, ILFS, IFDC for financing the cost of buses,? a senior official said about the Ministry?s initiative to solve the vexing issue. The move to facilitate and fasten the payments to the companies under the JNNURM programmes follows complaints from the bus manufacturers that the States Governments had been withholding their payments citing delay in release of funds from the Centre. According to rough estimates, the States owe over Rs 200 crore to the bus manufacturers including Ashok Leyland, Tata Motors and Volvo. Under the Phase I launched in 2005, the UD Ministry released the funds on a ?conditional basis? to the State Governments depending on their performance and infrastructure implemented. Under the Phase II, 10,000 buses are to be purchased for across the States, particularly hill States. In a recent meeting headed by Urban Development Secretary Sudhir Krishna, a representative from Tata Motors had pointed out that payments to manufacturers were linked to the UD Ministry funds. Hence, many times the city or Corporation did not make timely payments even after the delivery of the vehicles saying that they have not received funds from the State Government yet. The UD Ministry has also suggested the States to look into proposals for public private partnership (PPP) on priority. However, it has made it clear that the ownership of buses will remain with the Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV). Various States have been complaining about breakdowns and technical snags besides fire related incidents in the buses supplied under the JNNURM. From yanivbin at gmail.com Thu Aug 29 19:25:44 2013 From: yanivbin at gmail.com (Vinay Baindur) Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2013 15:55:44 +0530 Subject: [sustran] Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture seeks study on NCR public transport Message-ID: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130829/delhi.htm#1 *House panel seeks study on NCR public transport Syed Ali Ahmed Tribune News Service* New Delhi, August 28 After going through a detailed study report on the public transport system of the entire National Capital Region, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture observed that under the existing situation of multiplicity agencies in Delhi, a unified authority capable of making decision on all aspects of transport is the need of the hour. The committee feels that an interim solution to the problems in public transport system in the National Capital Region (NCR) is the proper and planned traffic management, stricter licensing system, integration of bus services with metro and effective utilization of ring railways in the entire region. The long-term solution will be introduction of Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) having a jurisdiction over the NCR at the earliest. The UMTA would be empowered to deal with planning, operationalizing, management, regulation, enforcement, etc of an effective transport system which has the consent of all the state governments, including Delhi, Union ministries of road transport and highways, urban development and home affairs. The committee also feels that the focus on public transport in the NCR should be multi-modal (rail, road and pedestrian). In the absence of this, personalized transport will continue to increase and public transport will remain fragmented and scanty. The Standing Committee decided to have the detailed study on the public transport system of entire NCR as a large number of vehicles from the neighbouring states criss-cross Delhi roads daily. The committee learnt that there are about 27 agencies involved in managing the public transport in the NCR and the existing arrangement needs a total revamp. In fact, creation of NCR has posed newer challenges for promoting flawless, accessible, safe, affordable transport in the region. A large number of non-destined vehicles pass through Delhi every day. Five national highways converge in the National Capital Territory adding to insoluble pressure on Delhi roads. From litman at vtpi.org Fri Aug 30 11:36:28 2013 From: litman at vtpi.org (Todd Alexander Litman) Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2013 19:36:28 -0700 Subject: [sustran] VTPI News - Summer 2013 Message-ID: <067b01cea529$c3da5130$4b8ef390$@org> ----------- VTPI NEWS ----------- Victoria Transport Policy Institute "Efficiency - Equity - Clarity" ------------------------------------- Summer 2013 Vol. 13, No. 3 ----------------------------------- The Victoria Transport Policy Institute is an independent research organization dedicated to developing innovative solutions to transportation problems. The VTPI website (http://www.vtpi.org ) has many resources addressing a wide range of transport planning and policy issues. VTPI also provides consulting services. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NEW VTPI DOCUMENTS ==================== "Autonomous Vehicle Implementation Predictions: Implications for Transport Planning" (http://www.vtpi.org/avip.pdf ) This report explores the implications of autonomous (self-driving) vehicles on transportation planning. It identifies their potential benefits and costs, predicts their likely development and deployment patterns, and how they will affect transport planning decisions such as road and parking supply and public transit demand. The analysis indicates that some benefits, such as independent mobility for affluent non-drivers, may begin in the 2020s or 2030s, but most benefits will only be significant when autonomous vehicles become affordable and represent a major portion of total vehicle travel, in the 2040s through 2060s. "Congestion Costing Critique: Critical Evaluation of the 'Urban Mobility Report'" (http://www.vtpi.org/UMR_critique.pdf ) The 'Urban Mobility Report' (UMR) is a widely-cited study that estimates U.S. traffic congestion costs and recommends various congestion reduction strategies. This report critically evaluates its methodologies. The UMR does not reflect best congestion costing methods: it uses higher baseline speeds and travel time unit cost values than experts recommend, exaggerates fuel savings and emission reductions; ignores generated traffic and indirect impacts. As a result it overestimates congestion costs and roadway expansion benefits, and undervalues other congestion reduction strategies that provide co-benefits. The UMR's congestion cost estimates represent upper-bound values. The UMR ignores basic research principles: it includes no current literature review, fails to fully explain assumptions and document sources, does not discuss possible biases, has no sensitivity analysis, and lacks independent peer review. This report continues a point-counter-point dialogue with the UMR's lead author, "Congestion Measurement in the Urban Mobility Report: Response to Critique by Mr. Todd Litman" (http://d2dtl5nnlpfr0r.cloudfront.net/tti.tamu.edu/documents/TTI-2013-4.pdf) "Critical Analysis of Conventional Transport Economic Evaluation" (http://www.vtpi.org/crit_econ_eval.pdf ) Transportation economic evaluation refers to the process of quantifying and monetizing a transport policy or project's benefits and costs. How it is performed can significantly influence transport planning decisions. This report critically examines conventional evaluation practices. Conventional transport economic evaluation overlooks many significant impacts and accessibility factors, and seldom measures the economic efficiency gains from strategies that favor higher value trips and more efficient modes, or the consumer surplus benefits of accommodating latent demand. Various reforms described in this report can result in more comprehensive and multi-modal evaluation. "Evaluating Active Transport Benefits and Costs: Guide to Valuing Walking and Cycling Improvements and Encouragement Programs" (http://www.vtpi.org/nmt-tdm.pdf ) This report describes methods for evaluating the benefits and costs of active transport (walking, cycling, and their variants). It describes various types of benefits and costs and methods for measuring them. These include direct benefits to users from improved active transport conditions, and various benefits to society from increased walking and cycling activity, reduced motor vehicle travel, and more compact and multi-modal community development. It discusses active transport demands and ways to increase walking and cycling activity. This analysis indicates that many active transport benefits tend to be overlooked or undervalued in conventional transport economic evaluation. * * * * * PUBLISHED ELSEWHERE =================== "Transportation Demand Management: Win-Win Solutions for Transport Problems" (http://www.sv.bgu.tum.de/fileadmin/w00bnl/www/PDF/Veranstaltungen/mobil.TUM _2012/Transportation_Demand_Management_mobil_TUM2012_Book__2_.pdf ) Chapter in "Transportation Demand Management: Insights from the Mobil.TUM 2012 International Scientific Conference on Mobility and Transport." "The New Transportation Planning Paradigm" (http://www.vtpi.org/paradigm.pdf ) Demographic and economic trends, and new community concerns, are changing the way practitioners define transportation problems and evaluate potential solutions. A new paradigm expands the range of modes, objectives, impacts and options considered in transport planning. This article, published in the June 'ITE Journal,' discusses this paradigm shift and its implications on our profession. "Impacts of the ecoParq program on Polanco" (http://www.itdp.org/library/publications/impacts-of-the-ecoparq-program-on- polanco ) This report by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy evaluates the impacts of the new parking meters in Mexico City's Polanco neighborhood. The analysis indicates that the time motorists spend cruising for a parking space declined from 13:26 to 3:04 minutes after parking meters were installed, saving motorists' time and fuel, and reduces local traffic congestion and pollution. The project is also generating 21.6 million pesos annually in net revenue that is being spent to improve neighborhood streets - an important benefit since Mexico City has beautiful streetlife that has been degraded by automobile traffic. "Transportation and Public Health" (http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-031912-1145 02 ) This article published in the 'Annual Review of Public Health' investigates various ways that transport policy and planning decisions affect public health and better ways to incorporate public health objectives into transport planning. Conventional planning tends to consider some public health impacts but ignores others. This article identifies various win-win strategies that can help improve public health and other planning objectives. A draft version is at http://www.vtpi.org/ARPH_Litman_2012.pdf . "Changing North American Vehicle-Travel Price Sensitivities: Implications For Transport and Energy Policy" (http://www.vtpi.org/VMT_Elasticities.pdf ). Published in "Transport Policy," Vol. 28, pp. 2-10. There is growing interest in transport pricing reforms to help achieve various planning objectives such as congestion, accident and emission reductions. Their effectiveness is affected by the price sensitivity of transport, that is, the degree that prices affect travel activity, measured as elasticities (percentage change in travel caused by a one-percent price change). Some studies found very low transport elasticities during the last quarter of the Twentieth Century but recent evidence suggests that price sensitivities have since increased. This article discusses the concepts of price elasticities and rebound effects, reviews vehicle travel and fuel price elasticity estimates, examines evidence of changing price sensitivities, and discusses policy implications. "Full Cost Analysis of Petroleum" (http://www.vtpi.org/Beyond_Oil_Litman.pdf ) This chapter in the book, "Transportation Beyond Oil: Policy Choices for a Multimodal Future" (http://transportbeyondoil.wordpress.com ) provides a comprehensive review of various external costs (costs not borne directly by users) resulting from petroleum production, importation and distribution. It considers four major cost categories: financial subsidies, economic and national security costs of importing petroleum, environmental damages and human health risks. "Public Transit 101: Read A "How To Start A Business" (http://www.remappingdebate.org/article/public-transit-101-read-%E2%80%9Chow -start-business%E2%80%9D-book ) This article by Kevin C. Brown discusses ways to make public transit more attractive to discretionary travelers (people who have the option of driving) and therefore help reduce traffic and parking congestion, accidents and pollution emissions. Recent Planetizen Blogs (http://www.planetizen.com/blog/2394 ): "Planners are Futurists With a Practical Bent" (http://www.planetizen.com/node/64695 ) "Rational Fear" (http://www.planetizen.com/node/64369 ) "Responding to Smart Growth Criticism" (http://www.planetizen.com/node/63327 ) "Accounting for Latent Travel Demand" (http://www.planetizen.com/node/63198 ) Let's be friends. Todd Litman regularly posts on his Facebook page ( http://www.facebook.com/todd.litman ). Befriend him now! * * * * * UPCOMING EVENTS ================== "Turkish Transportation Forum" (http://www.ulastirmasurasi.gov.tr/en/ ), 5-7 September, Istanbul, Turkey. "Round Table on Valuing Convenience in Public Transport" International Transport Forum (http://www.internationaltransportforum.org), OECD, 12-13, Paris, France. "Oregon Public Transportation Conference" (http://www.oregontransit.com/index.cfm?cid=1481 ), 6-9 October, Bend, Oregon. * * * * * BEEN THERE - DONE THAT ====================== "Freedom From Automobile Dependency: How Youths Benefit from Better Living through Multi-Modalism" keynote speech at "Second Adolescence Mobility Health Symposium" (https://blogs.otago.ac.nz/amc/symposium2013 ). Includes presentations. "Comprehensive and Multi-Modal Urban Transport Planning" Motu Wellington, New Zealand seminar (http://www.motu.org.nz/building-capacity/past_public_policy_seminars#2013 ). Also see "A Decade Too Late: Canadian Planner Challenges Roads Of National Significance" (http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=55758 ) and "Complete Streets Keep Transport Options Open" (http://fairfaxmedia.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx ) "Kapiti Observer", New Zealand. "Hawai'i Clean Energy Day" (http://www.hawaiienergypolicy.hawaii.edu ). Todd Litman gave the keynote presentation, and was interviewed on the "Honolulu On The Move" television show sponsored (http://www.youtube.com/HonoluluOnTheMove ) * * * * * USEFUL RESOURCES ================= "Our Built and Natural Environments: A Technical Review of the Interactions Among Land Use, Transportation, and Environmental Quality" (http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/pdf/b-and-n/b-and-n-EPA-231K13001.pdf ). This comprehensive report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides guidance for evaluating environmental and economic impacts of land use policies, particularly smart growth benefits. "The Sexiest, Coolest, Most EPIC Bus Commercial Ever" (http://www.buzzfeed.com/copyranter/the-sexist-coolest-most-epic-bus-commerc ial-ever?s=mobile ) "A New Direction: Our Changing Relationship with Driving and the Implications for America's Future" (http://uspirg.org/sites/pirg/files/reports/A%20New%20Direction%20vUS.pdf). This new report by Tony Dutzik and Phineas Baxandall summarizes evidence of peaking vehicle travel and its implications for transport policy. Also see, "Has Motorization in the U.S. Peaked? Part 2: Use of Light-Duty Vehicles (http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/98982/102950.pdf ) and "The Driving Boom is Over" (http://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2013/5/14/the-driving-boom-is-over.html ). "International Comparisons of Transport Appraisal Practice" (http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-comparisons-of-tran sport-appraisal-practice ). This report by professors Peter Mackie and Tom Worsley is a review of recent developments in economic appraisal in the transport sector and the use of appraisal in the decision making process including practices in England, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, USA, Australia, and New Zealand. "Driving Commuter Choice in America: Expanding Transportation Choices Can Reduce Congestion, Save Money and Cut Pollution" (http://www.nrdc.org/transportation/files/driving-commuter-choice-IP.pdf ). This study by the Natural Resources Defense Council examines opportunities for Americans to reduce the impacts of transportation by altering how often we drive, particularly when it comes to commuting. The focus is on opportunities and potential outcomes for individual and combined changes to driving behavior, which can lead to substantial cost savings and other benefits. "Health Co-Benefits Of Climate Change Mitigation - Transport Sector: Health In The Green Economy" (http://www.who.int/hia/green_economy/transport_sector_health_co-benefits_cl imate_change_mitigation/en ). This new World Health Organization report, part of the Health in the Green Economy series, considers the evidence regarding health co-benefits and risks of climate change mitigation strategies for transport. "Creating Universal Access to Safe, Clean and Affordable Transport" (http://www.slocat.net/press-release-rio20-sustainable-transport-status-repo rt ). Evaluation of recommendations presented at last year's Rio+20 Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil by the Partnership for Sustainable Low Carbon Transportation (SLoCaT), an international network that includes major organizations such as United Nations agencies, the International Energy Agency, regional development banks, various sustainable transportation groups, as well as the Victoria Transport Policy Institute. "Cycling to the Future: Lessons from Cities across the Globe" (http://policy.rutgers.edu/faculty/pucher/Pucher_BikeUrbanism_SeattleUW_18Ju ne.pdf) This slide show by John Pucher at the Bicycle Urbanism conference, documents the boom in cycling in both European and North American cities. It shows that cycling can thrive even in cities with no history or culture of daily, utilitarian cycling, but only if government policies provide safe, convenient, and pleasant cycling conditions. Also see, "How to Increase Cycling for Daily Travel," (http://www.activelivingresearch.org/dailybiketravel ) and "Infrastructure, programs, and policies to increase bicycling: an international review" (http://www.activelivingresearch.org/files/ALR_Brief_DailyBikeTravel_May2013 .pdf) "Safety in Numbers: Are Major Cities the Safest Places in the United States?" (http://www.annemergmed.com/webfiles/images/journals/ymem/FA-5548.pdf ). This article published in the 'Annals of Emergency Medicine' compared injury death rates for U.S. counties rated on a ten-point urban-rural scale. Death rates are lowest in urban areas and increase as an area becomes more rural due to large increases in motor vehicle deaths and modest increases in gun deaths. Also see "Rational Fear" (http://www.planetizen.com/node/64369 ) "Moving Dangerously, Moving Pleasurably: Improving Walkability in Dhaka. Using a BRT Walkability Strategy to Make Dhaka's Transportation Infrastructure Pedestrian-Friendly" (http://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/projdocs/2012/39335-012-reg-tacr-01. pdf ). This Asian Development Bank report presents a BRT Walkability Strategy, which provides policy and infrastructure recommendations to create an environment in which walking is appealing, safe, and convenient. This can be used as a model for similar strategies in other developing country cities. "Reallocation of Road Space" (http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/research/reports/530/docs/RR-530-Realloca tion-of-road-space.pdf ). This study New Zealand Transport Agency report investigated the economic impacts of transport and road space reallocation in shopping areas located in central cities and along major transport corridors. It found that walking, cycling and public transport users account for 40% of total expenditures, that they spend proportionately then their modal share, and are important to local shopping area's economic viability. "Urban Traffic Calming and Health Inequalities: Effects and Implications for Practice" (http://www.ncchpp.ca/175/publications.ccnpps?id_article=917 ). This report examines the effects of traffic calming on health inequalities. Additional reports on traffic calming safety, air quality, noise and active transportation impacts are available at: http://www.ncchpp.ca/174/News.ccnpps?id_article=653 . "Parking? Lots!" (http://daily.sightline.org/blog_series/parking-lots/ ). This new Sightline Institute series describes in interesting and sometimes funny ways how parking regulations in zoning codes can increase traffic problems, drive up housing prices, dampen business profitability, amplify sprawl, and pollute both air and water. See, for example, "Ugly By Law" (http://daily.sightline.org/2013/06/18/ugly-by-law ), and "Apartment Blockers" (http://daily.sightline.org/2013/08/22/apartment-blockers ). "Getting the Prices Right" (http://shoup.bol.ucla.edu/PricingParkingByDemand.pdf ), by Gregory Pierce and Donald Shoup, in the Journal of the 'American Planning Association' provides information on parking pricing reforms. "Parking Guidebook for Chinese Cities" (http://www.itdp.org/documents/Parking_Guidebook_for_Chinese_Cities.pdf ). This guidebook by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy identifies strategies for efficiently managing parking resources in urban areas that are experiencing increased motorization and perceived parking shortages. "Sustainable Transport in China Blog" (http://sustainabletransport.org ) This blog focuses on our four areas of expertise: Transport and Climate Change, Electro-Mobility, Green Logistics and Urban Transport. It provides news on transport in China, programme workshops and conferences, as well as free downloads of our latest research reports. "Financing Sustainable Urban Transport - International Review of National Urban Transport Policies and Programmes" (http://sustainabletransport.org/financing-sustainable-urban-transport-inter national-review-of-national-urban-transport-policies-and-programmes ). This study evaluates various urban tarnsport financing and planning practices. It was presented at the "Workshop on Prospects for National-Level Programmes and Funds for Sustainable Urban Transport in China" (http://sustainabletransport.org ) "Does Congestion Pricing Work?" (http://www.govtech.com/transportation/Does-Congestion-Pricing-Work-Infograp hic.html ). This Infographic summarizes information on experience with congestion pricing in various cities. "The Rebound Effect for Passenger Vehicles" (http://www.rff.org/RFF/Documents/RFF-DP-13-19.pdf ). This study finds a higher elasticity of vehicle travel with respect to vehicle fuel economy (miles per gallon or liters of fuel per 100 kilometers) than for fuel price, indicating significant rebound effects from vehicle fuel efficiency standards. This is consistent with my report, "Changing Vehicle Travel Price Sensitivities: The Rebounding Rebound Effect" (http://www.vtpi.org/VMT_Elasticities.pdf ). "Walking, Riding And Access To Public Transport: Supporting Active Travel In Australian Communities: Ministerial Statement" ( http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure/mcu/urbanpolicy/active_trave l/index.aspx). This Australian federal document identifies various benefits of active transport (walking and cycling), and the economic justifications for increased investment in active transport improvements. It estimates that an average urban bicycle commuter provides $14.30 worth of economic benefits, and a pedestrian commuter provides $8.48 worth of benefits, based on a Queensland Department of Transport study, "Benefits Of Inclusion Of Active Transport In Infrastructure Projects" (http://www.cbdbug.org.au/wp-content/uploads/north-brisbane-cycleway/135-008 25-file8.pdf ). "The Effect Of Transportation, Location, And Affordability Related Sustainability Features On Mortgage Default Prediction And Risk In Multifamily Rental Housing" (http://www.fanniemae.com/resources/file/aboutus/pdf/hoytpivo_mfhousing_sust ainability.pdf ). This study by Gary Pivo indicates that housing foreclosure rates tend to decline in more multi-modal communities. "Introduction - Traveler Response to Transportation System Changes" handbook series (http://www.trb.org/Publications/TCRPReport95.aspx ). This updated document includes detailed discussion of transport elasticities and other important background. "Building Better Budgets: A National Examination of the Fiscal Benefits of Smart Growth Development" (http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/2013/05/21/building-better-budgets-quanti fies-average-savings-and-revenue-of-smart-growth-development ) New report comparing various development scenarios finds that smart growth typically costs 38% less to build, generates 10 times the revenue for towns and cities "Economic Aspects Of Non-Technical Measures To Reduce Traffic Emissions" (http://www.isi-projekt.de/wissprojekt-de/ntm/downloads.php ). This study evaluated the economic impacts of policies that shift 10% of urban trips to walking and cycling. Using standard economic models this predicts that by 2030, German GDP would increase by 1.11 %, employment by 1.37 %, air pollutants would decline 5-10%, and CO2 about 2%. Also see, "Bicycle Economics" (http://www.ecf.com/news/shift-to-sustainable-transport-modes-contributes-to -economic- growth-and-employment ). "Mosaic Planning Tool" (http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/TP/pages/lcp.aspx ). This economic evaluation model expands the range of impacts and options that can be considered in transportation planning. "Development Of A Public Transport Investment Model" (http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/research/reports/524/docs/524.pdf ). This modelling tool developed by the New Zealand Transport Agency can help make public transport investment decisions. The economic model we developed incorporated the interactions between prices, service levels and patronage for public transport and private car. "Post Implementation Reviews" (http://www.nzta.govt.nz/planning/monitoring/audits/pir.html ) and the "Post Opening Project Evaluation of Major Schemes" (http;//www.highways.gov.uk/our-road-network/post-opening-project-evaluation -pope/post-opening-project-evaluation-pope-of-major-schemes) are two programs that evaluate whether transport projects achieve their intended objectives, and identify lessons learnt which can inform future planning. "Unraveling Ties to Petroleum: How Policy Drives California's Demand for Oil" (http://www.next10.org/unraveling-petroleum ). This report identifies fifteen policy reforms that could provide significant energy conservation and emission reduction benefits, including more efficient parking pricing, distance-based vehicle insurance, bus and high-occupant-vehicle priority, improved air travel control systems, and more comprehensive and multi-modal transportation performance evaluation. "Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual" (http://www.trb.org/main/blurbs/169437.aspx ). This reference document that provides current research-based guidance on transit capacity and quality of service issues and the factors influencing both. * * * * * Please let us know if you have comments or questions about any information in this newsletter, or if you would like to be removed from our email list. And please pass this newsletter on to others who may find it useful. Sincerely, Todd Litman Victoria Transport Policy Institute (www.vtpi.org) litman@vtpi.org facebook.com/todd.litman Phone & Fax 250-360-1560 1250 Rudlin Street, Victoria, BC, V8V 3R7, CANADA "Efficiency - Equity - Clarity"