ACCESS Magazine – Transportation Research for Policymakers and Practioners

Guest Post by Donald Shoup, Professor of Urban Planning at UCLA, ACCESS Magazine Editor

Academic research in transportation requires years of work before the author actually publishes the results in a professional journal. Developing a theory, collecting data, and conducting rigorous statistical tests are usually necessary before an article is accepted for publication. Then what happens? If the author is lucky, fellow academics and students will read the article and then maybe discuss it. Most of the time, the transportation planners and elected officials who could use the results to improve our transportation system, may never see the article or even hear about the research.

Paring down a journal article for publication in ACCESS can catapult academic research into the public policy debate and convert knowledge into action.

ACCESS strives to translate research into action and disseminate information to the right people. The goal of ACCESS is to make transportation research conducted at the University of California useful for policymakers and practitioners. After the research has been published in an academic journal, the author can prepare a shorter and more readable version for ACCESS. The articles for ACCESS have the luxury of stressing readability because they have already been through the rigor of the journal process. Through ACCESS, policymakers are able to more easily understand the benefits of bike lanes, feasibility of sidewalks and transit oriented developments (TODs), and safety benefits of providing more lighting in a community. Anyone who wants greater depth or more detail can refer to the original article. ACCESS presents scientific research in plain, intelligent, and even lively prose. Paring down a journal article for publication in ACCESS can catapult academic research into the public policy debate and convert knowledge into action.

Los Angeles County Active Transportation Coalition attends Metro Policy Meeting

Los Angeles County leaders speak out for walking, bicycling and safe routes to school and complete streets in Los Angeles County at LAC Metro Policy Meeting 4.17.13

The Los Angeles County Active Transportation Coalition is launched and is excitedly taking its first steps! Join us!

Today partners from across the Los Angeles County region, representing Long Beach, Downey, El Monte, South Los Angeles, and organizations like Community Health Councils, Cali Bike Tours, Bike San Gabriel Valley, Advancement Project, the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health provided testimony at Metro Policy and Programming committee in support of efforts to increase funding for walking, bicycling, safe routes to school and complete streets efforts in Los Angeles County.

This group is coming together in support of increasing Los Angeles County Transportation investments for walking and bicycling projects past the 1% allocated in the County 2009 Transportation plan (Metro 2009 LRTP, p.15).  With close to 20% of all trips in the County (2009 NHTS data) on foot or bicycle, and close to 40% of the roadway deaths (2010 SWITRS data) people out walking and bicycling, organizations and individuals are coming together to speak out to address and change this.

What Happened at the San Bernardino County Active Transportation Network Kick Off?

SBCATN Kick Off Meeting Bicycle Chain

Last week, forty people came together in San Bernardino County to discuss pedestrians and bicyclists policies and priorities in the region. The group called itself the “San Benardino County Active Transportation Network” (SBCATN), intending to create a space for cities, agencies, organizations and community to collaborate, educate and impact local and regional policies. It was a diverse group of participants, representing cities, transportation agencies, foundation, county department of public health, community stakeholders, nonprofits and advocacy groups. The Kick Off Meeting started with a lively bicycle chain networking activities amount participants – people lined up in two rows and introduced themselves to someone across the way in 45 seconds. There is usually not enough time to engage in a conversation but people quickly learn who is in the meeting and open up to sharing their ideas, challenges and best practices. Then the keynote speaker John Longville – who has been the Mayor of the City of Rialto (1987-1998), California State Assemblyman (1998 -2004), and founder of Metrolink – encouraged participants to be persistent in their advocacy for a better San Bernardino County. Participates noted in their evaluations that they heard the key takeaways of the meeting being: “Persistence, ‘Working with theme’ and Collaboration.” Links to presentations, policy opportunities and important documents below.

“Persistence, ‘Working with theme’ and Collaboration”  – Caltrans

Great collaboration and idea sharing  – City of Moreno Valley

It was a great convening and interested in hearing more about opportunities for convergence and collaboration  - California Endowment

San Francisco Hosts Nation’s First Walk to Work Day Tomorrow, Friday, April 12!

Walk to Work on Friday, April 12

Be a part of the nation’s first official Walk to Work Day this Friday in San Francisco.

Walk SF will be hosting hubs across the city to help with your participation. Find more information here: http://walksf.org/

Mayor Ed Lee and San Francisco supervisors will also participating at some of the hubs. Make sure you connect with them and emphasize how much you value, walking, bicycling, and Safe Routes to School!

The Huffington Post is covering the day here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/10/walk-to-work-day-san-francisco_n_3056411.html

And information from the San Francisco Chronicle here: http://blog.sfgate.com/cityinsider/2013/04/08/hey-commuters-take-a-hike/

Let’s make it a great success!

Recap of Los Angeles County Active Transportation Coalition Meeting on 3/27/13

Los Angeles County Active Transportation Coalition Meeting March 27, 2013

Last Wednesday over 35-45 people came together at the Wallis Annenberg Science Center to discuss policy needs and goals for the Los Angeles County Active Transportation Coalition.  It was an exciting afternoon with lots of great discussion and feedback.  Multi-modal/complete streets investments and equity were a key and recurring part of the entire afternoon.  Please see our meeting notes here and pictures from the afternoon here.

In order, to fully leverage these co-benefits of walking and bicycling and their connection to riding public transit, Los Angeles County must build out the active transportation network around its expanding rail system and largest public bus system in the state. Active transportation is crucial to the success of implementing projects that support state and regional policies, such as the Sustainable Communities Strategies from state legislation SB 375 and Active Transportation Program from the implementation of MAP-21, forthcoming Cap and Trade revenue, acceleration of Measure R investments (motion at Board this month) and other pending opportunities.

Transportation Choices Summit and Advocacy Day

Tuesday, April 23 – Transportation Choices Summit

Join leading community organizations and advocates in Sacramento and help ensure state policies and investments promote effective public transit, great walking and bicycling, and affordable homes. Together we will learn about the hottest issues from leaders like the Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing Brian Kelly and Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols as well as leading advocates like James Corless of Transportation for America.

We will hone our skills and messages in breakout sessions, and there is time for networking with advocates from your area, and from across the state.  At least 30 full scholarships are available to community advocates and organizations representing low-income and people of color from across California.  The deadline to apply for a scholarship covering travel, lodging and registration is March 8 - apply now!

California Endowment Survey Shows Voters Value Health Communities

Californians strongly support policies which combat obesity by improving the health and wellness of their communities. A 2012 poll of 1184 California registered voters found that the general public recognizes the seriousness of obesity and backs actions to combat the epidemic. In fact, minority communities that carry the greatest burden of illness and costs from obesity-related conditions showed the greatest support for many of these policies. The California Endowment Childhood Obesity Prevention Survey was interested in the percentages of California voters who support efforts to expand school gardens, implement healthy school meals, and ensure fresh, free drinking water is available to students. Turns out, the majority of Californians want to live in healthy communities!

Interesting findings include:

• 68% of voters favor a soda tax if proceeds are devoted to improving school nutrition and expanding school physical activity programs.
• 78% of voters favor promoting policies and funding to attract farmers markets and supermarkets selling fresh produce in low income neighborhoods.
• 74% of voters favor promoting policies and funding to build community gardens and urban farms in cities.
• 71% of voters support enforcing school nutrition standards that limit the types of unhealthy foods and beverages allowed to be sold on school grounds.

Click here to read more of the California Endowment study.

 

Los Angeles County Active Transportation Coalition Meeting 3/27

Save the Date for the Los Angeles County Active Transportation Coalition Meeting on Wednesday March 27th at 2pm at Exposition Park in Los Angeles

Join the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, Prevention Institute, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, Los Angeles Walks and partners and friends from all over Los Angeles County to discuss Transportation Policy and Investments to improve the built environment for our communities.

This event is open and free for all to attend, but RSVP’s are required and space is limited so sign up today!

LA County: Why Is It Important to Understand Transportation Finance?

In Los Angeles County, the popular narrative says that everyone drives all the time, and transportation policy has largely reflected this social understanding.  However, active transportation modes are a significant form of mobility, calling into question the truth of the dominant narrative.  As Los Angeles County implements state and regional policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as the Sustainable Communities Strategy from State Legislation SB 375, active transportation will play an even more important role in the transportation system, requiring additional investment to achieve regional objectives of clean air, healthy populations, reduced congestion, safe mobility options for all, and economic prosperity.  As the County Transportation Commission, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is the primary agency responsible for planning, funding, and operating a regional transportation system in which:

• 19 percent of all trips made in Los Angeles County are completed on foot or by bicycle (2009 National Household Travel Survey: 17.6 percent walking and 1.4 percent bicycling);
• 34 percent of Los Angeles County students walk and bicycle to school (2009 National Household Travel Survey); and
• 39 percent of Los Angeles County roadway fatalities are people walking and bicycling (SWITRS 2010);
• One percent (1%) of Metro’s funding is dedicated to pedestrian and bicycling projects (Metro LRTP 2009 p.15)

Research shows that when streets are designed for safe walking and biking, fewer people are injured and killed in automobile collisions and more people walk and bike.  Designing streets safe for walking and biking entails building and maintaining a network of sidewalks, bikeways, and street crossings that create safe and comfortable walking and biking environments that connect to transit, commercial centers, schools, parks and other destinations. Further, streets safe for walking and biking are designed to reduce vehicle speeds.

Help Secure Cap and Trade Funding for Safe Routes to School and Bike/Ped!

The California Air Resources Board will be holding 3 public hearings to gather input on the investment of cap-and-trade auction proceeds to support the State’s effort to reduce the greenhouse gases (GHG) that contribute to climate change.  Active transportation offers unique advantages to simultaneous reduce GHG emissions while improving public health, reducing congestion, improving livability and public safety.  Increasing investments in Safe Routes to School programs, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and first-last mile connections to public transit will support the goals of AB 32 and SB 375.  We encourage the administration to set aside a significant portion of the cap and trade revenues for these purposes.

Join us in providing comments to the administration on this important topic.  The Safe Routes to School National Partnership has developed the following talking points and nexus document for your use.

If you cannot attend in person, written comments are encouraged and can be submitted here by March 8th.

Meeting Dates and Times: (For addresses click here)

Tuesday February 19 (Fresno), 5 pm – 8 pm

Monday February 25 (Sacramento, with webcast), 3 pm – 6 pm

Wednesday February 27 (Los Angeles), 4 pm – 7 pm