Todd Litman's blog

Smarter Congestion Evaluation – An Example

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Submitted by Todd Litman on January 3, 2014 - 6:31am

A new study claims that public transit does not reduce traffic congestion. It is a good example of how not to evaluate this impact. When measured correctly, high quality transit is found to reduce congestion and increase transport system efficiency.

Smarter Congestion Solutions in 2014

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Submitted by Todd Litman on December 29, 2013 - 11:06pm

It is time to find better solutions to congestion problems. This requires more comprehensive evaluation in order to identify win-win solutions: the congestion reduction strategies that help achieve other planning objectives.

Positive Reports on New Transit System Performance

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Submitted by Todd Litman on December 18, 2013 - 8:03pm

Critics claim that public transit projects consistently exceed their budget projections and fail to meet ridership targets, based on old research. New analysis indicates that recent transit services generally perform better than predicted.

Who Subsidizes Whom?

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Submitted by Todd Litman on December 4, 2013 - 9:25pm

This column expands on issues raised in a previous Planetizen blog, "Mythbusting: Exposing Half-Truths That Support Automobile Dependency," which examined criticisms of cycling facility investments and justifications for automobile-oriented planning.

Mythbusting: Exposing Half-Truths That Support Automobile Dependency

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Submitted by Todd Litman on November 28, 2013 - 9:07am

Some commentators recently expressed outraged that governments spend money on cycling facilities. Their arguments are largely wrong, I’ll call them "half-truths" to be charitable, presented with great certitude and self-righteous anger.

How Many Bicycles Can Park In The Space Required By One Car? Don’t Ask PolitiFact.

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Submitted by Todd Litman on November 12, 2013 - 3:19am

PolitiFact holds politicians accountable for their claims, but how accountable is PolitiFact? Not very. It inaccurately answered a simple planning question, and was unwilling to clarify or correct its false judgment.

Low Crime Rates In Large Cities Support Multi-Modal Planning and Smart Growth

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Submitted by Todd Litman on October 31, 2013 - 3:43am

Contrary to popular assumptions, large, transit-oriented cities have lower crime rates than smaller, automobile-oriented cities. Jane Jacobs was right! This column discusses this phenomenon and its implications for transport and land use planning.

Abu Dhabi Planning Charrette

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Submitted by Todd Litman on September 27, 2013 - 1:56pm

Abu Dhabi is updating its strategic development plan. Consultant Todd Litman reports on the city's recent urban planning charrette.

I have a Problem With Your “Issues”

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Submitted by Todd Litman on September 15, 2013 - 9:54pm

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

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Submitted by Todd Litman on September 3, 2013 - 11:31am

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.

Boulders to Replace Rose Bushes in ODOT Effort to Inconvenience the Homeless

Public Outcry Greets Plan to Connect L.A. to Pasadena via Bus Rapid Transit

Strong Reactions to New York Rent Control Changes

APA Disappointed With Supreme Court's Decision in Takings Case

How 3D Printing and Modeling Are Revolutionizing Urban Planning

Immigration and Urban Growth

Which Tech Giant is Best Suited to Understand Cities?

Do Denser Neighborhoods Have Safer Streets?

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Todd Litman's blog

Smarter Congestion Evaluation – An Example

Smarter Congestion Solutions in 2014

Positive Reports on New Transit System Performance

Who Subsidizes Whom?

Mythbusting: Exposing Half-Truths That Support Automobile Dependency

How Many Bicycles Can Park In The Space Required By One Car? Don’t Ask PolitiFact.

Low Crime Rates In Large Cities Support Multi-Modal Planning and Smart Growth

Abu Dhabi Planning Charrette

I have a Problem With Your “Issues”

Congestion Costing Point-Counter-Point

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