Connecting Sacramento is the first study to incorporate accessibility analysis and trip-making data to assess how they can be used together to guide transportation- and land use-related decisions. Photo credit: Eric Fredericks via Flickr.
Connecting Sacramento: A new study on trip-making and accessibility
How can transportation and land use professionals more effectively measure success — especially for transit riders and potential transit users? Two emerging technologies—accessibility metrics and trip-making data from mobile devices—are helping answer the challenging questions of where people are going and how easily they can get there. Connecting Sacramento, a new study from SSTI, puts these methods to the test by identifying and prioritizing first- and last-mile connections to transit. Download the report and briefs, and stay tuned for upcoming highlights of this work. Read more >>
Upcoming webinar: “Advancements in measuring bicycle and pedestrian accessibility”
Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at 3:00-4:00 pm EDT
DOTs are making advancements in measuring destination accessibility for automobiles and transit, but are struggling to keep pace for bicycle and pedestrian travel. People on bike and on foot are much more sensitive to the types of facilities available, exposure to nearby factors, and other external factors. These added complexities can often result in data deficiencies.
Join SSTI for a live discussion on ways to overcome these challenges and put measures to use. Jennifer Boldry from People For Bikes and Spencer Gardner from Toole Design Group will discuss their new open source Bike Network Accessibility tool, and Chris McCahill from SSTI will show how pedestrian accessibility measures have been applied in Sacramento, CA, Madison, WI, and Virginia. Register today >>
Free technical assistance for innovative state DOTs — applications due August 1
DOTs across the country are looking for innovative and flexible ways to meet users’ needs that cost less to build and maintain. The Accelerating Practical Solutions workshops will help DOTs put these ideas into action. This new technical assistance from Smart Growth America is an opportunity for six state DOTs to win a one-day workshop with our expert transportation staff. Applications are now open, and will be accepted until August 1, 2017. Learn more and apply >>
Watch the recording: “Parking counts – understanding demand in cities”
Many cities and towns recognize that their parking requirements and regulations are outdated, but they struggle to take the first step toward reform. This process often begins by auditing the existing supply and understanding how it’s being used, which can be a major undertaking. On July 12, we hosted a webinar to share lessons from two recent parking demand studies and offers guidance on conducting similar studies more efficiently. Watch the recording >>
Who pays for roads? A state-by-state look
All roads are subsidized, but to wildly varying degrees in each state. This new state-by-state study from the Tax Foundation found that user fees only cover a fraction of total road costs, ranging from 12 percent in Alaska to 76 percent in Hawaii. While the report does not give a national figure, a previous version estimated user fees cover just 50 percent of road costs. Read more >>
The hidden costs of parking
On top of the monetary fees, the cost of finding a parking spot also includes time, wasted fuel, and congestion. A new study by INRIX estimates that Americans spend an average of 17 hours a year searching for parking, costing the U.S. economy more than $72 billion annually. Read more >>
Real-time travel information: better for businesses, better for travelers
Real-time travel information on digital screens placed in popular gathering areas allows for more efficient time management by transportation users of all modes. Tysons Corner, a shopping center in northern Virginia, uses Traveler Information Displays (TIDs) that provide traffic conditions and transit schedules to help customers plan their departures from the mall. Virginia DOT recently surveyed customers to evaluate the success of the TIDs with the goal of improving the system. Read more >>
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