Todd Litman
Todd Litman is the executive director of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute.
Contributed 439 posts
Todd Litman is founder and executive director of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, an independent research organization dedicated to developing innovative solutions to transport problems. His work helps to expand the range of impacts and options considered in transportation decision-making, improve evaluation methods, and make specialized technical concepts accessible to a larger audience. His research is used worldwide in transport planning and policy analysis.
Mr. Litman has worked on numerous studies that evaluate transportation costs, benefits and innovations. He authored the Online TDM Encyclopedia, a comprehensive Internet resource for identifying and evaluating mobility management strategies; Transportation Cost and Benefit Analysis: Techniques, Estimates and Implications, a comprehensive study which provides cost and benefit information in an easy-to-apply format; and Parking Management Best Practices, the most comprehensive book available on management solutions to parking problems. Mr. Litman is a frequent speaker at conferences and workshops. His presentations range from technical and practical to humorous and inspirational. He is active in several professional organizations, including the Institute of Transportation Engineers and the Transportation Research Board (a section of U.S. National Academy of Sciences). He is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of Transportation Research A, a professional journal.
Healthy, Wealthy and Wise Transportation Policy
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">An important new book, </span><a href="http://www.convergencepartnership.org/atf/cf/%7B245a9b44-6ded-4abd-a392-ae583809e350%7D/HEALTHTRANS_FULLBOOK_FINAL.PDF"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">Healthy, Equitable Transportation Policy: Recommendations and Research</span></a>,<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri"> and its summary report, </span><a href="http://www.convergencepartnership.org/atf/cf/%7B245a9b44-6ded-4abd-a392-ae583809e350%7D/TRANSPORTATIONRX.PDF"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">The Transportation Prescription: Bold New Ideas for Healthy, Equitable Transportation Reform in America</span></a>,<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri"> were just published by the <a href="http://www.convergencepartnership.org/transportationhealthandequity">Convergence Partnership</a></span><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">, a coalition that supports more rational and equitable health policy.</span> </p> <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal">
Rea Vaya ("We are Moving") In South Africa
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman">To celebrate an important victory a winning team sometimes parades around the arena with their coach on their shoulders as the fans cheer in adulation. Planners sometimes deserve similar treatment! For example, regardless of who wins the </span><a href="http://www.fifa.com/worldcup"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman">2010 FIFA World Cup</span></a><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman"> to be held in South Africa June and July 2010, the real victor will be residents of the four cities where matches will be held, who gain an efficient new public transportation system as a long-term legacy. Everybody wins!</span> </p>
Sidewalk Design Vehicle
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">A few days ago I posted a </span><a href="/node/41097"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">blog</span></a><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri"> that discussed the concept of </span><a href="http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm69.htm"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">Universal Design</span></a><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri"> (transportation facilities designed to accommodate all possible users, including those with disabilities and other special needs) and the value it provides to individuals and communities. One way to approach this issue is to define the <em>design vehicle </em>for pedestrian facilities.</span> </p>
Universal Design - Accommodating Everybody
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman">I spent the last week teaching a professional development course for young planners in Buenos Aries, Argentina. It’s been a wonderful experience – my students are smart and enthusiastic, and Buenos Aries is a vibrant city with old-world charm. The buildings, plazas and old statues are beautiful and dignified, although a little frayed around the edges.
"Dreams From My Father," A Planner's Perspective
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">I recently read President Obama’s autobiography, “Dreams From My Father.” It is well written and insightful. Obama uses personal stories to explore issues of identity, race, class, politics, power, and what it means to be ‘United Statesian.’ <span> </span>Let me share some observations about transportation and land use planning issues mentioned in the book.</span> </p> <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri"><img src="http://bayareashows.today.com/files/2008/06/dreams_from_my_father.jpg" alt="Dreams from my Father" title="Dreams from my Father" width="182" height="305" /> </span> </p>