Traffic Congestion

Toronto

In Praise of Toronto's Least Ambitious Transit Project

After decades of big, expensive plans, diverting cars from a busy streetcar route will make a bigger difference to commuters for far less money.

November 29, 2017 - The Globe and Mail

Uber's Accidental Argument Against Itself

The ride-sharing company produces a terrific illustration of how bad Bangkok traffic can be, but not how Uber would help.

November 11, 2017 - Streetsblog USA

Bay Area's Newest Express Lanes Opened Monday

Due to the high level of existing congestion, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission warns motorists that the new I-680 Contra Costa Express Lanes will offer relief just before and after the peak commute hour.

October 11, 2017 - SF Gate

Seattle Sailboats

Could Seattle Be the U.S. Vancouver?

Seattle appears to be following the Vancouver, B.C. model by increasing population and residential density while investing in transit. If it works, traffic congestion will not deteriorate, and vehicle trips should drop.

September 29, 2017 - Governing

Diesel Motorbikes

Vietnam Approves Ban on Motorbikes

Vietnam's capitol city Hanoi, following other South East Asian country restrictions on mopeds and two-wheeled vehicles, approves a controversial ban.

September 18, 2017 - Saigoneer

Los Angeles

Why Elon Musk Is Wrong about His Boring Solution to L.A.'s Traffic Congestion

Herbie Huff of the UCLA's Lewis Center and Institute of Transportation Studies pens a well-reasoned opinion for the Los Angeles Times as to why a market-based strategy to manage demand is the best approach to traffic congestion in Los Angeles.

March 6, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Delay Sign

Yet Another Flawed Congestion Report

The new INRIX Traffic Scorecard uses "big" data to calculate congestion costs. Like previous studies, it exaggerates traffic congestion costs and roadway expansion benefits.

February 28, 2017 - City Observatory

Commuter Traffic

Faulty Assumptions in the TTI Urban Mobility Report

The annual Urban Mobility Report (UMR), published by Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), should come with a warning label.

January 27, 2017 - Todd Litman

Biketown, Portland, Bike Share

Are Bikeshare Programs Successful?

Bikeshare programs were first introduced in the U.S. seven years ago. Outside Magazine investigates whether they "are actually benefiting cities and their residents."

December 6, 2016 - Outside

Parking Lot

App Detects Open Parking Spaces with 99% Accuracy

Technology startup Parkifi seeks to use the Internet of Things to address the long-lamented problem of congestion created by drivers seeking parking.

December 5, 2016 - The Denver Post

Expo Line

What L.A.'s New Expo Line Extension Won't Do

The $1.5 billion, 6.6-mile light rail extension from Culver City to Santa Monica is projected to double trips on the line by 2030, giving commuters a viable alternative to driving. Just the same, don't expect the extension to reduce congestion.

May 23, 2016 - Wired

How Not To Measure Traffic Congestion, Redux Again

TomTom's annual traffic congestion rankings predictably generated horrified, self-pitying headlines about awful congestion in top-ranked cities. But there are big problems with their methodology.

March 25, 2016 - City Observatory

Same Source Data, 'Contradictory Conclusions' on Congestion

A curious discrepancy between two major congestion reports using the same data: There is a profound and unexplained discrepancy between the travel trends in the latest Urban Mobility Scorecard report and the data provided by Inrix.

September 3, 2015 - City Commentary

Traffic Jam 1970s

If Congestion Is Getting Worse, Why Are We Spending Less Time Traveling?

The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute released its eighth report on peak motorization in the U.S., an evaluation of time spent traveling for a broad category of purposes, not just work. From 2004 to 2014, total time decreased.

September 2, 2015 - The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute

More Criticism of Texas Transportation Institute's Congestion Report

The Texas Transportation Institute's latest Urban Mobility Scorecard claims, that "TRAFFIC GRIDLOCK SETS NEW RECORDS FOR TRAVELER MISERY." This critique by the Frontier Group puts their hyperbole into perspective. No need to panic!

August 27, 2015 - Frontier Group

Congestion versus mobility

2015 Urban Mobility Scorecard: Still Measuring Urban Travel Conditions Incorrectly

The new Urban Mobility Scorecard measures traffic congestion with greater precision, but incorrectly. As with previous editions, it exaggerates congestion costs and undervalues the congestion reduction benefits of alternative modes and Smart Growth.

August 26, 2015 - Todd Litman

Sutter Street from above

Who Should Pay for Congestion in Booming San Francisco?

Facing record-level population growth and a booming job market, the city of San Francisco wants luxury developers to pay into the public transit system.

August 9, 2015 - CityLab

Stop Sign Intersection

On the Benefits of Traffic Signal Removal

Certain intersections stand to gain from losing their traffic lights. According to this study, cities can save money and improve safety by uninstalling signals in low-traffic zones.

May 7, 2015 - CityLab

Evacuated Highway 401

Federal Highway Administration Quietly Acknowledges the Driving Boom is Over

The Federal Highway Administration has quietly acknowledged the end of the Driving Boom, cutting its VMT forecast by 24-44 percent. This represents a major change in travel forecasting and planning.

January 8, 2015 - U.S. Pirg

Delay Sign

How Not To Measure Traffic Congestion—Hold the Hyperbole, Please!

The new INRIX congestion costing report is another good example of bad analysis. We just want accurate information; hold the hyperbole, please.

October 14, 2014 - Todd Litman

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