Congestion Costing Critique Critical Evaluation of the “ Urban Mobility Report" (US)
25th Apr 2013
Produced by the Canadian Victoria Transport Policy Institute and authored by Todd Littman in April 2013, the 'Urban Mobility Report' (UMR) is a widely-cited U.S. study that estimates U.S. traffic congestion costs.
This report critically examines the UMR’s assumptions and methods. The UMR evaluates urban transport system performance based only on vehicle traffic congestion; it ignores other modes and impacts.
It tends to exaggerate congestion costs and roadway expansion benefits. It assumes that urban traffic will grow rapidly in the future, ignoring evidence that vehicle travel is peaking and travel demands are changing. The UMR ignores basic research principles: it fails to explain assumptions, document sources, incorporate independent peer review, or respond to criticisms. More comprehensive and multi-modal planning can identify truly optimal congestion reduction strategies.
Perceptions of cycling among homeless young people in Sydney (Australia)
03rd Jan 2013
This research, published in the journal Youth Studies Australia in November 2012, examines the perceptions and attitudes toward cycling of young people who were experiencing or at risk of homelessness in central and south-western Sydney. The benefits of cycling for physical activity, personal transport, independence and social inclusion were recognised. Barriers to regular cycling included compliance with mandatory helmet legislation; a lack of cycling skills and experience; a paucity of cycling infrastructure and reliance on cars for personal transport; and access to affordable bicycles and equipment.
Changing Course in Urban Transport: An Illustrated Guide (International)
28th Nov 2012
This illustrated guide, published by the Asian Development Bank in 2011, provides a rich collection of images of sustainable urban transport initiatives from around the world. It considers the transport problems evident in many cities in Asia, including high levels of energy consumption, carbon dioxide emissions, congestion, road casualties, urban sprawl, and social exclusion.
Locked Out: Transport Poverty in England (UK)
08th Oct 2012
In September 2012 Sustrans released the report, Locked Out, which outlines the growing problem of 'transport poverty' and calls on Ministers to invest in public transport and safe walking and cycling routes to give people alternatives to increasingly unaffordable car ownership. The report recomends ways transport poverty could be tackled by all levels of government across transport, planning and welfare programmes.
