[sustran] VTPI News - Summer 2015

[Todd Litman]

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                 VTPI NEWS

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              Victoria Transport Policy Institute

              "Efficiency - Equity - Clarity"

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              Summer 2015    Vol. 15, No. 3

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The Victoria Transport Policy Institute is an independent research
organization dedicated to developing innovative solutions to transportation
problems. The VTPI website (http://www.vtpi.org ) has many resources
addressing a wide range of transport planning and policy issues. VTPI also
provides consulting services.

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NEW REPORTS

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

"When Are Bus Lanes Warranted? Considering Economic Efficiency, Social
Equity and Strategic Planning Goals" (http://www.vtpi.org/blw.pdf ).

This report describes a framework for determining when bus lanes are
warranted. Bus lanes increase urban transport system efficiency and equity
by favoring higher value trips and more space-efficient modes over
lower-value trips and space-intensive modes. Bus lanes can carry more
passengers than general traffic lanes, and so increase total capacity
(people per traffic lane), increase transit system operating efficiency,
directly benefit bus passengers, cause travelers to shift from automobile to
transit which reduces various transportation problems, and support more
transit-oriented development. This paper examines how these impacts are
considered in conventional planning, describes examples of bus lane planning
and evaluation, and discusses ways to optimize their implementation. This
analysis suggests that bus lanes are generally warranted where, after all
economically justified pro-transit policies are implemented, they would
attract more than 800 peak-hour passengers (about 20 buses) on surface
streets or 1,800 peak-hour passengers (about 40 buses) on grade-separated
highways, since they carry more passengers than a general traffic lane, and
so save total travel time. Bus lanes are often justified with even lower
ridership levels, due to the additional indirect benefits provided by
reduced urban-peak automobile travel. Comprehensive evaluation can justify
extensive bus lane networks in most cities, particularly rapidly-growing
cities in developing countries.

 

For an application of this analysis see, “The Case For Bus-Only Lanes on
Georgia Street: An Observational Study” (http://bit.ly/1NlTHxI )

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PUBLISHED ELSEWHERE

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

"Your Commute Could Help You Lose Weight: Commuters Who Took Public Transit,
Walked Or Biked Lost Pounds Compared With People Who Drove, Research Found"
(http://on.wsj.com/1P6nqeP ), 'Wall Street Journal,' 11 August 2015. 

"Marketers of bus and light-rail systems keep falling back on public transit
as a way to reduce congestion or air pollution,” says consultant Todd
Litman, executive director of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute in
Victoria, B.C. “They tend to overlook what I consider to be the most
significant benefits from users’ perspective.” Among those, he says, is that
public-transit commuting will 'make you look better in shorts.'"

 

"Lattes And Luxury Give Public Transport A Tick: Buses And Trains With
Espresso Machines, Phone-Charging Portals And Fold-Down Tables Should Be
Part Of The Public Transport Network In Cities Such As Perth, Says A
Visiting Transport Expert" ( <http://yhoo.it/1VKc1q5> http://yhoo.it/1VKc1q5
).

A "Western Australian" newspaper interview examined ideas for making public
transit more comfortable and convenient. 

 

"Autonomous Vehicles Are a Traffic Solution Only Alongside Better City
Planning" (http://bit.ly/1LwOpSS ). This article concludes, based on VTPI
analysis, that autonomous vehicles may substitute for public transit on
low-ridership routes, but cannot solve urban traffic congestion.

 

"Commuting Apps, Technology Take On Urban Traffic: The Future Of Traffic:
Technology Could Help Solve Congestion In Large Cities"
(http://bit.ly/1LCIdH9 ) and "Self-Driving Cars Confront Urban Traffic
Congestion: Does Impact Depend On Whether These Autonomous Vehicles Are
Privately Owned Or Not?" (http://bit.ly/1IlfrWi ). These two articles by
Daniel Schwartz of CBC News explore how new technologies are affecting how
and how much people travel, and resulting costs. Key takeaway: new
technologies are unlikely to eliminate demand for walking, bicycling or
public transit. 

 

"Why Smart Growth Cities Are Safer, Healthier, and Wealthier"
(http://bit.ly/1HLzWzX ). This City Fix article summarizes our recent study,
Analysis of Public Policies that Unintentionally Encourage and Subsidize
Sprawl (http://bit.ly/1QkDzgm ), produced in conjunction with the London
School of Economics for the New Climate Economy
(http://newclimateeconomy.net ).

 

"Why Canada Has Fallen So Far Behind On Public Transit. 'Electoral Alliances
And Political Gains,' Are Driving New Transit, Not Smart Decision Making"
(http://bit.ly/1dHlI6r ). This CBC article describes the obstacles to more
rational public transit funding in Canada.

 

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

"Smart Planning for Economic Opportunity"
(http://www.planetizen.com/node/80431 )

"More Rational Analysis Of Seniors' Driving Risks And Safety Strategies"
(http://www.planetizen.com/node/79977 )
"When is a Bus Lane Warranted?" (http://www.planetizen.com/node/79633 )

"Way to Go, Göteborg!" (http://www.planetizen.com/node/79017) 

"Self-Fulfilling Automobile Dependency"
(http://www.planetizen.com/node/77723 )

 

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

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BEEN THERE, DONE THAT

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

"Change for Parking Parking Expert Panel" (http://bit.ly/1K4QWl6 ), 

June 2, Oakland, California. This panel, included professors Donald Shoup
and Betty Deakin, Meea Kang, and Todd Litman, discussed the region's
variable parking pricing research program (
<http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fparkingpolicy.com%2F&h=1AQEK81ar
&enc=AZMbkua1sYpnyddZ7YuZRqPI9PKYR9_W9EW4y7ZvymrDyyybdw7DxiKPX-nOsD3Es1MPlS6
AtiaoTIZNTQDuwayI5s9Anw1ijIXPAXYvOZbZ-DaOXa1BiGtt1bodj4n7ajnjTR6LQ7MmP0nPQiI
xod1tNWF6EUZGjCHWS0IaQBF0d_EuOMeVuJexFmVL9Hmv1xE&s=1>
http://parkingpolicy.com ), which is testing innovative solutions to parking
problems. A video is available at http://bit.ly/1Ialexs .

 

"A New Traffic Safety Agenda: Incorporating Transportation Demand Management
Safety Strategies" (http://www.vtpi.org/NTSP.pdf ), presented at the Annual
International Conference on Transportation, 8-11 June, Athens, Greece
(http://www.atiner.gr/transportation.htm ).

This research indicates that vehicle travel reduction strategies, such as
improved public transit services, transport pricing reforms and smart growth
development policies, can provide large traffic safety benefits: residents
of more multi-modal communities have about a fifth the per capita traffic
casualty rate as automobile-oriented communities, and many policies that
encourage use of alternative modes also increase transport safety and
security. However, these benefits are often overlooked in conventional
traffic safety planning. This presentation proposes a new traffic safety
agenda. It describes a comprehensive framework for comparing the full
benefits of potential traffic safety strategies, including indirect costs
and benefits. 

 

"Evaluating Household Chauffeuring Burdens: Understanding Direct and
Indirect Costs of Transporting Non-Drivers" (http://bit.ly/W8kt7r ),
presented at the ITEA Annual Conference and Summer School, Kuhmo Nectar
(www.toi.no/ITEA2015 ), June 2015, Oslo, Norway.

This report identifies factors that affect the amount of chauffeuring that
occurs in a community, the full costs of that travel, and therefore the
savings and benefits of transport improvements that reduce chauffeuring
burdens. This analysis indicates that in automobile dependent communities,
chauffeuring costs often exceed congestion costs, and motorists often
benefit from improved transport options that reduce their chauffeuring
burdens even if they do not use those options themselves.

 

"Urban Transportation Innovations: A New Paradigm for Efficient and
Equitable Cities" (http://bit.ly/1KPFQ53 ) presented at the Mobility in
Smart Cities Seminar, (http://cometogothenburg.se ), June 23, Gothenburg,
Sweden, as part of the Volvo Round the World Ocean Race final celebration.

 

"Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Appraisal and Evaluation Seminar"
The Western Australia Department of Transport is developing the "Perth
Transport Plan" (http://bit.ly/1PvzSox ) which investigates how the region’s
largest city, Perth, can efficiently accommodate population growth. Todd
Litman was invited to help lead a seminar to identify and prioritize
solutions. Perth and nearby Fremantle are lovely. They are developing
innovative transportation policies including train and bus service
improvements, and parking management programs. 

 

Working Session On The Decarbonization Of Road Transport
(http://bit.ly/1EeOxnx )

In April, Todd Litman participated in a workshop on "Decarbonizing Road
Transportation" for the Québec government's efforts to develop a new, more
integrated provincial energy policy. A video of the session is now available
(http://bit.ly/1U9WKLH ). His presentation, from minutes 18 to 26,
emphasized win-win emission reduction strategies (http://bit.ly/1WP33Z8 )
which help achieve other planning objectives, such as reducing traffic and
parking congestion, saving money, reducing traffic accidents and improving
mobility for non-drivers, in addition to energy conservation and emission
reductions.

 

Todd Litman was appointed to the Victoria Housing Affordability Task Force
(http://bit.ly/1IYenfU ) which developed practical recommendations for
increasing the supply of lower-priced housing. He reports, “Overall, it was
a great experience and I'm happy with the results. However, I think we could
have done more, particularly reforms to reduce parking requirements and to
allow incremental increases in building heights and densities to support
Missing Middle Housing (http://missingmiddlehousing.com )." For more
information on this subject see "Affordable-Accessible Housing in a Dynamic
City" (http://www.vtpi.org/aff_acc_hou.pdf ).

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UPCOMING EVENTS

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

Threadbo 14 Conference, August 2015, Santiago, Chile
(http://www.thredbo-conference-series.org ). Todd Litman will present papers
on "Comprehensive Evaluation of Completes Streets Policies: The Value of
Designing Roads For Diverse Modes, Users and Activities
(http://www.vtpi.org/compstr.pdf )" and "When Are Bus Lanes Warranted?
Considering Economic Efficiency, Social Equity and Strategic Planning Goals"
(http://www.vtpi.org/blw.pdf ).

 

Cities and Transport International Congress (http://cidadesetransportes.org
), Embarq Brazil, 10 Year Anniversary, 9-11 September 2015, Rio de Janeiro.
Will present, "Transportation Demand Management In Contraposition to
Congestions." Hear from over 80 experts about successful strategies and best
practices for making innovative and sustainable urban solutions work on the
ground, including Jaime Lerner, Ken Livingstone, Enrique Peñalosa, Mary Jane
Ortega, and other internationally recognized mayors speak about their
experiences.

 

Carsharing Conference (http://conference.carsharing.org ), September 22-23,
Vancouver, Canada.  This two-day conference will share information on best
practices for integrating shared-use mobility into urban transport planning
and management. Todd Litman will discuss the importance of quality research,
and efficient use of public space for shared mobility.

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USEFUL RESOURCES

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

"The Overhead Wire" by Direct Transfer (http://thedirecttransfer.com ) is a
terrific daily complication of news related to transportation and land use
planning innovations.

 

"Living Transport" (www.livingtransport.com ) is a website about living and
about transport, and especially about how important it is to fit the two
together.

 

"Urban Accessibility Explorer" (http://urbanaccessibility.com ). This
powerful new accessibility mapping system measures the number of activities
– including jobs, schools, parks, stores and libraries – that can be reached
by residents of a specified neighborhood within a given amount of travel
time by a particular mode and time of day, in the Chicago Metropolitan area.
This reflects state-of-art urban accessibility analysis. 

 

Master of Sustainable Transportation (http://bit.ly/1PvEN8W ) is the
University of Washington’s multidisciplinary online program that helps
students learn how to apply sustainability principles in transport planning,
policy, research and analysis. Application deadline is September 15.

 

Next-Generation Transportation (http://bit.ly/1kzYxho ) is Simon Fraser
University’s online program designed to help mid-career professionals use
innovative transportation strategies to create more livable and sustainable
cities. Application deadline is September 15.

 

"Imagining Livability Design Collection" (http://bit.ly/1TFlexU ) is a
38-page visual portfolio of tools and transformations for creating more
livable communities. There's something for every place and everybody! Also
see: the AARP "Livable Communities Website" (
<http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aarp.org%2Flivable-communiti
es&h=JAQHl2O3l&enc=AZMHuSIP6BbBU5fQAFjNuORJFhfFwxEVq3T8oitV7Zr0coEoSuJT4dg3H
i3kgViyN4LaIJ9jkYRdCmJVT4l9OIgtHLFHVR-xotwv77xhf9gt3u0-1gdSxU4vsjNmo9QdIuNSO
OreeqOkhOeI6d931uqSlgV98SP59pbS2QqHhUPxm8cBMfdUQ4yspfQTwEIfz6c&s=1>
http://www.aarp.org/livable-communities )

"Seizing the Global Opportunity: Partnerships for Better Growth and a Better
Climate" (http://bit.ly/1JM86W3 ), by Nick Godfrey. Climate-smart
actions—such as reforming fossil fuel subsidies, investing in public
transport and building efficiency —could provide cities with trillions of
dollars in net savings and cut greenhouse gas emissions. 

 

"Assessment of the Air Quality Effects of Pedestrianization on Istanbul's
Historic Peninsula" (http://bit.ly/1JweWxt ). Since 2005, Istanbul has been
pedestrianizing select areas on the city’s Historic Peninsula. This study
indicates that this has provided significant benefits including increased
economic activity, reduced pollution and increased public fitness and
health. 

 

"Collection Of Existing Good Practice Implementations In Parking Management"
(http://bit.ly/1PO9HKt ). This website provides detailed information and
case studies concerning innovative parking management strategies suitable
for implementation. 

 

"Cities Safer by Design: Urban Design Recommendations for Healthier Cities,
Fewer Traffic Fatalities" (http://bit.ly/1fqW1Z5 ).  This new guidebook
describes how improved street design and smart development can significantly
reduce urban traffic risks. It describes 34 different design elements to
improve safety and quality of life.  

 

"White Paper: Evaluating the Economic Benefits of Nonmotorized
Transportation" (http://bit.ly/1H7KuoK ). This report examines potential
methods for evaluating nonmotorized transport economic benefits, including
user savings, benefits to businesses, economic benefits from reduced vehicle
traffic, plus health and environmental benefits. 

 

"Active Cities Report: A Guide for City Leaders" (http://bit.ly/1GpoeK6 ),
by Designed to Move (www.designedtomove.org ), describes why and how to
create cities where physical activity is designed into daily life. Also see,
“Co-Benefits Of Designing Communities For Active Living: An Exploration Of
Literature" (http://bit.ly/1KayDvA ).

 

"Cycling in Christchurch Overseas Learnings" (http://bit.ly/1JJ7Zuv )
includes insights concerning best practices for cycling facility planning
and design by LennyBoy, University of Canterbury civil engineering professor
Glen Koorey, who recently spent three-months touring North American and
European cities to investigate. Well done, Glen!

 

"Density: Drivers, Dividends and Debates" (http://on.uli.org/1GtUg4o ). This
report by Greg Clark and Emily Moir, examines how density is measured, its
economic, social and environmental impacts, and factors to consider when
evaluating optional urban densities. 

 

"The Benefits of Transit in the United States: A Review and Analysis of
Benefit-Cost Studies" (http://bit.ly/1NxN7aQ ). This Mineta Transportation
Institute report presents the findings from a comprehensive study of public
transit economic impacts. It concludes that transit benefits often
substantially exceed costs in both rural and small urban areas. Transit
typically pays for itself in congestion relief benefits for mid- to
large-sized urban areas. Transit saves users money, increases economic
opportunity and productivity. Transit reduces traffic accidents, increases
public fitness, and improves health care access.

 

"Income, Location Efficiency, and VMT: Affordable Housing as a Climate
Strategy" (http://bit.ly/1InQ8mz ). This research by Gregory L. Newmark and
Peter M. Haas for the California Housing Partnership concludes that
accessible-affordable housing (affordable housing in accessible, multimodal
neighborhoods) helps save money and reduce pollution emissions. Affordable
housing is essential to maintaining economic opportunities for lower-income
households. Also see "Smart Planning For Economic Opportunity"
(http://www.planetizen.com/node/80431 ).

 

"The End of Automobile Dependence: How Cities Are Moving Beyond Car-Based
Planning" (http://bit.ly/1NFPKqa ). This latest book by professors Peter
Newman and Jeffrey Kenworthy is the third in their trilogy, and like all
good trilogies is about the rise and decline of an empire. It illuminates
how the decline of the automobile empire is a positive development overall,
and explain how cities can achieve the most productive and sustainable
outcomes during this time of fundamental change. 

 

"America in 2015: A ULI Survey of Views on Housing, Transportation, and
Community" (http://on.uli.org/1KY7oC9 ). This report by the Urban Land
Institute examines young people's preferences. It finds that many
millennials prefer walkable, bikable communities, and 63% would like to live
where they do not need a car often.

 

"Citi Bike: The First Two Years" (http://bit.ly/1KIMTaE ). In 2013, New York
City launched Citi Bike, the largest bike share program in the United
States. This study examines the first two years of Citi Bike and its role in
New York City mobility. It concludes that Citi Bike has become an integral
part of New York’s transportation culture. 

 

"Would You Drive Less If You Paid for Insurance by the Mile?"
(https://www.metromile.com/blog ). Metromile is a new insurance company that
bases premiums on the amount a vehicle is driven each month, and so gives
motorists a new opportunity to save money when they reduce their mileage,
providing financial savings plus reductions in accidents, congestion and
pollution emissions.

 

"Pricing Freight Transport to Account for External Costs"
(http://1.usa.gov/1H1xODF ). This Congressional Budget Office study
describes and estimates external costs of freight transport. It finds that
net external costs represent about 20% of total truck transport costs and
11% of rail costs. It examines policy options to address those unpriced
external costs and increase transport system efficiency.

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Please let us know if you have comments or questions about any information
in this newsletter, or if you would like to be removed from our email list.
And please pass this newsletter on to others who may find it useful.

 

 

Sincerely,

Todd Litman (litman at vtpi.org)

Victoria Transport Policy Institute (www.vtpi.org)

Office: 250-360-1560 | Mobile: 250-508-5150

1250 Rudlin Street, Victoria, BC, V8V 3R7, CANADA

     Efficiency - Equity - Clarity