I have a Problem With Your “Issues”
Blogger
Good planning requires clear problem and goal statements. Calling a problem an “issue” is ambiguous, which is a real problem.
Congestion Costing Point-Counter-Point
Blogger
Conventional transportation planning tends to exaggerate congestion costs and roadway expansion benefits, and undervalues other transportation solutions such as improving alternative modes, pricing reforms and smart growth policies.
Planners are Futurists With a Practical Bent
Blogger
Planners are futurists, but with less pretension and jargon. Our work requires predicting how current trends are likely to affect future conditions and activities, and how communities should prepare. For example, let's predict self-driving cars.
Rational Fear
Blogger
Many people believe that cities are dangerous due to exaggerated fears of urban crime. Cities are actually far safer and healthier than suburban and rural locations, and smart growth policies can further enhance their safety and health advantages.
Responding to Smart Growth Criticism
Blogger
Critics claim that smart growth policies are ineffective at reducing vehicle travel and achieving intended to objectives. This column critiques their arguments.
Are Transportation Planning Reforms Coercive?
Blogger
Changing demands justify policies and programs that encourage people too choose efficient travel options and smart growth locations. Are these coercive?
Accounting for Latent Travel Demand
Blogger
Planners must anticipate how people would respond to new options, such as better walking, cycling and public transit services. This requires imagination.
Who Should Pay for Transportation Infrastructure? What is Fair?
Blogger
Many people assume incorrectly that motorists pay their share of roadway costs through fuel taxes. Not so. Fairness would require much higher motor vehicle user fees to finance roadways.
Critiquing the "Urban Mobility Report"
Blogger
The "Urban Mobility Report" produces widely-cited congestion cost estimates. It is biased in various ways that exaggerate congestion costs and roadway expansion benefits. Few users of these cost estimates seem aware of these problems.
Affordability As A Transportation Planning Objective
Blogger
Transportation system users rate inaffordability as a top concern, but conventional planning ignores this issue. Increasing transport affordability requires changing planning practices to favor more affordable modes and more accessible development.