Sign in

Todd Litman

@toddlitman.bsky.social
620 followers 12 following 172 posts

I am a transport and land use policy analyst. I love doing research about ways to make communities healthier, wealthier and wiser at the Victoria Transport Policy Institute (www.vtpi.org)

PostsRepliesMedia
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 17h
Today, Sept. 30th is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day – Every Child Matters (orangeshirtday.org) a federal holiday. I am glad to see efforts to acknowledge and learn from this history. www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html
orangeshirtday.org
Orange Shirt Society - Every Child Matters
Inspired by Phyllis Webstad’s story of having her orange shirt taken away on her first day at Indian residential school, we uplift the voices of Survivors and invite all people in Canada to walk the p...
001
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
@nondriverpodcast.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/nond... The fourth national Week Without Driving starts this Thursday! October 1–8 Together, we can create communities where all of us can get where we need to go.
bsky.app
011
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Here is timely research on effective ways to reduce homelessness (vtpi.org/LP2.pdf) and increase affordability, based on Montreal, Canada (www.vtpi.org/montreal.pdf) for the current election. What do you think? Are candidates proposing evidence-based solutions to affordability problems?
"Local Policies to Reduce Homelessness: Backgrounder" (https://vtpi.org/LP2.pdf).

Based on Colburn and Aldern's study, "Homelessness is a Housing Problem" (https://homelessnesshousingproblem.com), shows that the best solution to homelessness is to reduce rents; this is far more important than subsidizing social housing.
100
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
"Congestion Costing Reality Check, Part 3: Smart Congestion Relief" There are many better ways to reduce congestion in your city than expensive roadway expansion projects. Win-win strategies reduce congestion and provide many other benefits. Third in a series challenging conventional assumptions.
planetizen.com
Congestion Costing Reality Check, Part 3: Smart congestion relief
There are many better ways to reduce congestion in your city than expensive roadway expansion projects. Win-win strategies reduce congestion and provide many other benefits.
010
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I am frustrated! Next month we have municipal and provincial elections but sustainable transport advocates are unprepared. I updated "Active Transportation Talking Points" (www.vtpi.org/CRDtp.pdf) to promote active mode. What do you think? Do we need more sense of urgency?
vtpi.org
012
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
"Vision Zero Needs Transit More Than Ever" (visionzeronetwork.org/vision-zero-...), by Vision Zero Network. Multimodal safety connects three priorities: zero traffic fatalities, support for zero-car households and zero emissions. Reducing the need to drive are part of making communities safer.
visionzeronetwork.org
Vision Zero Needs Transit More Than Ever
On a recent walk with transportation leaders in Durham, North Carolina, we discussed familiar Vision Zero priorities: slowing speeds, designing safer streets, and preventing traffic deaths and serious...
032
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Municipal elections Oct. 17 and provincial election Oct. 24. Support candidates who support public transit! See Better Island Transit (betterislandtransit.ca), "Frequent & Affordable Bus Service Backgrounder" (www.vtpi.org/F&Abus.pdf) and the new Public Transit Alliance of BC (transitalliancebc.ca).
Thoughts based on my role as president of Better Island Transit (https://betterislandtransit.ca).

Municipal elections take place Oct. 17 and a provincial election on Oct. 24. This is an opportunity to support policy makers who support public transportation. Livable CRD (https://livablecrd.ca) surveyed municipal candidates for their positions on subjects including transportation and voters can ask provincial candidates to support public transit. 

This is a teaching moment. Political parties and candidates are looking for vote-winning issues; improving public transit is perfect. It crosses ideological lines; Green, NDP, Liberal and Conservative voters all benefit from better transit, particularly in rural areas. Political parties are asking for money and volunteers, and candidates are door-knocking. You can raise this issue and share information with your friends. 

Interregional Transit Talking Points
• Many BC communities lack reliable and affordable transit. This is unfair to non-drivers and rural communities. 
• Many travellers cannot, should not or prefer not to drive and will use public transit if it is convenient and affordable. 
• Improving transit provides many benefits including independence for non-drivers, affordability, economic development, plus less traffic congestion, risk and pollution. 
• BC Transit currently operates only 4 daily buses between Victoria and Duncan with $10 one-way fares, and only 7 between Duncan and Nanaimo with $5 fares. In contrast, there are 43 daily trips between Sooke and Victoria with $3 fares which carries an impressive 22% of peak-period trips on that corridor, demonstrating that many travellers will use convenient and affordable transit. 

For more information see the "Frequent and Affordable Vancouver Island Bus Service" (www.vtpi.org/F&Abus.pdf ) which I plan to update, and we are currently updating our website. The new Public Transit Alliance of BC (https://lnkd.in/gmTGDBuk) will provide leadership province-wide.
000
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Tomorrow the Victoria Urbanism Book Club will discuss my friend Anna Zivarts' insightful book, "When Driving is Not an Option" (annazivarts.com) Date: Wed. Sept. 23 Time: 7-8pm Location: theDock (www.thedockvictoria.com) More information: www.victoriadra.ca/events/urbanism-book-club-september-2026
Tomorrow the Victoria Urbanism Book Club will discuss my friend Anna Zivarts' insightful book, "When Driving is Not an Option" (https://annazivarts.com)
When Driving Is Not an Option shines a light on the frustrating, dangerous, and sometimes deadly situations involuntary nondrivers face every day and outlines steps to center the voices of nondrivers and make transportation more inclusive. Drawing from both her own experiences as a low-vision, non-driving mom and those of nondrivers across the country, Zivarts amplifies voices rarely heard or acknowledged by the people making decisions about transportation design and funding.

Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Time: 7-8pm
Location: theDock (https://www.thedockvictoria.com)
Book: When Driving Is Not an Option by Anna Zivarts
This is an important issue. Research described in Anna's book indicates that about a third of travellers cannot or should not drive. This is also discussed in my report, "Evaluating Transportation Diversity" (http://vtpi.org/choice.pdf). Anna is a terrific advocate for  people with disabilities and multimodal planning. She has helped found the Week Without Driving (https://weekwithoutdriving.org) campaign which encourages motorists to reduce or eliminate driving for a week, in order to experience the world from a non-drivers' perspective (October 1-8 this year).
I can report from personal experience being car-free can be a superior lifestyle -- we save money, get daily exercise and avoid stress -- but that is only possible because we live in a very accessible, multimodal neighborhood. Everybody should have that opportunity.
Thanks Anna for your great work!

www.facebook.com/weekwithoutdriving
011
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
New ITE Technical Brief I helped write: "Electric Micromodes: Opportunities and Challenges for Transportation Planning," Institute of Transportation Engineers (ecommerce.ite.org/ItemDetail?i...) Electric micromodes include e-bikes, e-scooters, cargo e-bikes and other electrically assisted devices.
120
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Economic productivity (per capita Gross Domestic Product or GDP) tends to increase with urban traffic congestion. This contradicts claims that congestion is economically harmful and urban highway expansions are always beneficial. It suggests that other types of accessibility improvements, such as multimodal planning, TDM and compact development can do more to improve prosperity. 

For more analysis see "Congestion Costing Best Practices" (www.vtpi.org/ITED_congestion.pdf)The Urban Mobility Report and the INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard estimate that urban motorists experience about 13 to 16 average daily delay minutes, for which they would willingly pay $4 to $6 to avoid, but there is little evidence supporting these claims.

This figure adjusts congestion cost estimates to reflect realistic baseline speeds, exposure and time values, averages costs per capita rather than per motorist, and adds non-commute delays. This indicates that those studies significantly overestimate congestion costs. Traffic congestion costs probably average $100 to $200 annually per capita, an order of magnitude less than these studies claim.

"Congestion Costing Best Practices" (www.vtpi.org/ITED_congestion.pdf)
020
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
New study based in part on my report, "Transportation Cost and Benefit Analysis" (www.vtpi.org/tca). Nadja Schweiggart, Stefan Gössling, Mark Nieuwenhuijsen and Felix Creutzig (2026), “The Global Cost of Automobility,” Transportation Research A (doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2026.105235).
Here is an interesting new study concerning the full costs of automobile travel, and potential savings and benefits from more efficient transport. The analysis is based in part on my report, "Transportation Cost and Benefit Analysis" (www.vtpi.org/tca), which is currently outdated but I plan to revise during the next few months. 

Nadja Schweiggart, Stefan Gössling, Mark Nieuwenhuijsen and Felix Creutzig (2026), “The Global Cost of Automobility,” Transportation Research Part A, Vo. 214 (https://lnkd.in/gfbCvWpQ).
https://lnkd.in/gpnc7C4u
This study quantifies the private and social costs of global automobility and evaluates the potential economic benefits of more efficient transport based on shared electric autonomous mobility-as-a-service (E-AV-MaaS). Using comprehensive cost components, including accidents, emissions, air pollution, noise, infrastructure, land use, and resource impacts, it is estimated that private car travel currently incurs approximately USD 0.16 per vehicle-kilometer in private costs and USD 0.55 per vehicle-kilometer in social costs. Scaled globally, these unit costs translate to roughly USD 2.1 trillion in private and USD 7.2 trillion in social costs per year under an internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV)-dominated system, totaling approximately USD 9.3 trillion annually, equivalent to 8.3% of global GDP. Under a full E-AV-MaaS scenario with 25% reduced vehicle-kilometers traveled, social costs fall to approximately USD 0.30 per kilometer and USD 2.4 trillion in total. This scenario reduces the global cost of automobility by roughly USD 5.6 trillion, driven almost entirely by social cost reductions. The results underscore that 77% of the cost of automobility is currently externalized.Here is an interesting new study concerning the full costs of automobile travel, and potential savings and benefits from more efficient transport. The analysis is based in part on my report, "Transportation Cost and Benefit Analysis" (www.vtpi.org/tca), which is currently outdated but I plan to revise during the next few months. 

Nadja Schweiggart, Stefan Gössling, Mark Nieuwenhuijsen and Felix Creutzig (2026), “The Global Cost of Automobility,” Transportation Research Part A, Vo. 214 (https://lnkd.in/gfbCvWpQ).
https://lnkd.in/gpnc7C4u
This study quantifies the private and social costs of global automobility and evaluates the potential economic benefits of more efficient transport based on shared electric autonomous mobility-as-a-service (E-AV-MaaS). Using comprehensive cost components, including accidents, emissions, air pollution, noise, infrastructure, land use, and resource impacts, it is estimated that private car travel currently incurs approximately USD 0.16 per vehicle-kilometer in private costs and USD 0.55 per vehicle-kilometer in social costs. Scaled globally, these unit costs translate to roughly USD 2.1 trillion in private and USD 7.2 trillion in social costs per year under an internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV)-dominated system, totaling approximately USD 9.3 trillion annually, equivalent to 8.3% of global GDP. Under a full E-AV-MaaS scenario with 25% reduced vehicle-kilometers traveled, social costs fall to approximately USD 0.30 per kilometer and USD 2.4 trillion in total. This scenario reduces the global cost of automobility by roughly USD 5.6 trillion, driven almost entirely by social cost reductions. The results underscore that 77% of the cost of automobility is currently externalized.
020
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
New article, “Travel Behavior as a Tool to Improve Road Safety,” ITE Journal (www.vtpi.org/Ferenchak_ITE.pdf). "Road safety is fundamentally about kinetic energy. An object’s kinetic energy equals one-half of its mass multiplied by the square of its velocity."
A fascinating new article by my friend Professor Nicholas Ferenchak, “Travel Behavior as a Tool to Improve Road Safety,” ITE Journal (www.vtpi.org/Ferenchak_ITE.pdf). 
"Road safety is fundamentally about kinetic energy. An object’s kinetic energy equals one-half of its mass multiplied by the square of its velocity. In road systems, most kinetic energy is generated by motor vehicles because of their substantially greater mass and speed relative to other road users, such as pedestrians and bicyclists." 

This is a new way to think about traffic risk and safety strategies. It cites my report, "A New Traffic Safety Paradigm" (www.vtpi.org/ntsp.pdf).
010
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Our latest newspaper commentary, written with Rob Bernhardt Create Transportation Solutions for Everyone. Travel within our region is often slow, inconvenient, expensive and dangerous, but there is zero appetite for spending billions to expand roads and parking. We need better solutions.
timescolonist.com
Comment: Create transportation solutions for everyone
Travel within our region is often slow, inconvenient, expensive and dangerous, but there is zero appetite for spending billions to expand roads and parking. We need better solutions.
031
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Today's commentary, "Regional Economic Development Matters Now More than Ever" (lnkd.in/gvbJJhQ4) overlooks an important strategy. "The Mobility-Productivity Paradox" (lnkd.in/g3QHZG3S) shows that multimodal planning, TDM and Smart Growth benefic the economy as well as community and environment.
States with lower less vehicle travel tend to have greater productivity per capita. This contradicts the common assumption that increasing vehicle travel is economically beneficial.

"Mobility-Productivity Paradox" (www.vtpi.org/ITED_paradox.pdf)National productivity tends to increase with fuel prices, particularly for petroleum importing countries. This suggests that higher fuel prices increase productivity by encouraging more efficient energy consumption and transportation.

"Mobility-Productivity Paradox" (www.vtpi.org/ITED_paradox.pdf)
010
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
I love heatmaps! Àportée (French for “within reach”) shows block-level travel distances to selected amenities (grocery stores, playgrounds, pharmacies, etc.) in Canadian cities. Colors indicate walking times. This is a passion project by Victoria cartographer par excellence Christian Miles.
aportee.ca
à portée — access to amenities across Canada
Understand access to everyday amenities across Canada: how far the nearest grocery, pharmacy, school and more are on foot.
020
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Information from CRD bike counters summarized in "CRD Active Transportation Benefits - Talking Points" (vtpi.org/CRDtp.pdf). Bikeways ridership grew 83% on average. This is consistent with other evidence in "Good News from the 2022 CRD Travel Survey" (www.vtpi.org/CRDts.pdf).
Information from CRD bike counters as summarized in the report, "CRD Active Transportation Benefits - Talking Points" (https://vtpi.org/CRDtp.pdf).

This shows that most bikeways experienced significant ridership gains between when they were established and 2025, averaging 83% growth. In 2025 they counted about 42,600 daily trips (21.300 round trips), indicating that every day tens of thousands of travellers bicycle in our region. This is consistent with other travel data described in "Good News from the 2022 CRD Travel Survey" (www.vtpi.org/CRDts.pdf). Information from CRD bike counters as summarized in the report, "CRD Active Transportation Benefits - Talking Points" (https://vtpi.org/CRDtp.pdf).

This shows that most bikeways experienced significant ridership gains between when they were established and 2025, averaging 83% growth. In 2025 they counted about 42,600 daily trips (21.300 round trips), indicating that every day tens of thousands of travellers bicycle in our region. This is consistent with other travel data described in "Good News from the 2022 CRD Travel Survey" (www.vtpi.org/CRDts.pdf).
000
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
They've arrived! Victoria's new shareable e-bikes are now in designated stations around town. Here is more information: www.victoria.ca/getting-around/walking-riding-rolling/e-bikes-and-e-bike-share and www.li.me. This is good news. Bikesharing is public transit for short trips.
071
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Livable CRD is a coalition of community groups preparing a scorecard for municipal candidates in the Capital Regional District to help voters identify those who reflect their priorities. Survey results are now being posted. Please encourage candidates to participate. livablecrd.ca/scorecard
livablecrd.ca
Candidate Scorecard
Compare where Capital Regional District municipal candidates stand on transit, housing, climate, arts, and cycling. Search by name or filter by municipality.
000
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Interesting analysis: "Quelle surprise: Court says Doug Ford can rip out Toronto bike lanes" (lloydalter.substack.com/.../quelle-s...) Consistent with my research, "Evaluating Bikeway Criticism" (vtpi.org/ebc.pdf) challenging claims that bikeways contribute to traffic and parking congestion.
lloydalter.substack.com
Quelle surprise: Court says Doug Ford can rip out Toronto bike lanes
I expected this. I did not expect what the justice said next, sounding like a car-brained jerk with a serious bias.
041
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Here is a fascinating discussion by my friends MIT Professor Jinhua Zhao and UCLA Professor Adam Millard-Ball, concerning why and how cities can become more multimodal. Well done! "Stop Benchmarking Copenhagen: The Cities You Should be Learning From Instead" (www.linkedin.com/feed/update/... ).
linkedin.com
Stop Benchmarking Copenhagen: The Cities You Should Be Learning From Instead | Jinhua Zhao
Adam Millard-Ball mapped walking and cycling across 11,587 cities in 121 countries, 41% of the world’s urban population. The results may surprise you: density and bike networks matter far more than cl...
010
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
A multimodal transport system lets travellers choose the most efficient option for each trip: walking and bicycling for local trips, public transit for travel on busy corridors, and automobiles when they are truly optimal considering all impacts. Huge savings! www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
linkedin.com
A multimodal transportation system allows travellers to choose the most efficient option for each trip: walking and bicycling for local trips, public transit for travel on busy corridors, and… | Todd ...
A multimodal transportation system allows travellers to choose the most efficient option for each trip: walking and bicycling for local trips, public transit for travel on busy corridors, and automobi...
032
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
"Congestion Costing Reality Check, Part 2: A congestion costing critique" There are good reasons to be skeptical of highway industry claims that traffic congestion is a growing problem. Their analysis is often incomplete and biased. Let’s pull back the curtain. www.planetizen.com/blogs/138153...
planetizen.com
Congestion Costing Reality Check, Part 2: A congestion costing critique
There are good reasons to be skeptical of highway industry claims that traffic congestion is a growing problem. Their analysis is often incomplete and biased. Let’s pull back the curtain on some major...
040
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
BETTER TRANSIT COWICHAN RALLY Cowichan Transit Riders meet and greet rally this Friday, 7 August, Noon – 2:00 pm, Duncan City Square www.facebook.com/events/duncan-city-square/rally-for-transit/1016503284576644 I will attend – you can too! Please share this information with anybody interested.
000
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
British Columbia's next general local elections will be held on 17 October 2026. I support this project to help voters identify candidates that support livability goals: active and public transport, more affordable housing, arts, climate action, healthcare and good governance.
livablecrd.ca
Press release: Livable CRD coalition to launch candidate scorecard for Capital Region municipal elections
A coalition of Capital Region community groups announces Livable CRD, a non-partisan voter-engagement project publishing a candidate scorecard and questionnaire to make informed voting easier in munic...
010
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
New blog: "Congestion Costing Reality Check, Part 1: Congestion evaluation best practices." Widely cited studies claim that traffic congestion is a huge and growing problem. They exaggerate! Let’s examine how to correctly calculate congestion costs and identify better solutions. Please share!
planetizen.com
Congestion Costing Reality Check, Part 1: Congestion evaluation best practices
Widely cited studies claim that traffic congestion is a huge and growing problem. They exaggerate. Let’s examine how to correctly calculate congestion costs and roadway expansion benefits.
043
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
USDOT claims "Drivers paying taxes and vehicle fees expect their dollars to be reinvested into our roads, not social initiatives" (lnkd.in/grPRC_NT). User fees pay less than half of roadway costs, a $600 annual subsidy per car. “Roadway Costs, User Revenues & Cost Recovery” (www.vtpi.org/rcrt.pdf).
Since 1960, roadway spending per vehicle-mile declined by half and user revenues declined by two-thirds, so user fees now only fund about half of roadway spending. “Roadway Costs, User Revenues and Cost Recovery Trends” (www.vtpi.org/rcrt.pdf)
021
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
The most erotic human organ is our feet! Walkability = better romance, love & relationships according to "Planning for Love: Urban Form and its Impacts on Modern Dating," by Hannah Kosoff, recent masters thesis (doi.org/10.7916/aab5-vt02), and Planetizen blogs (tinyurl.com/ktmc6bnf).
The most erotic human organ is our feet! The key to successful romance is a walkable neighborhood. Who would have thought?

That is the conclusion of new research, "Planning for Love: Urban Form and its Impacts on Modern Dating," by Hannah Kosoff, described in her recent masters thesis (doi.org/10.7916/aab5-vt02), and three Planetizen new blogs (https://tinyurl.com/ktmc6bnf). 

Kosoff found that walkability tends to improve romance. Specifically, people seeking romantic partners tend to be more successful and satisfied if they live in compact, walkable neighborhoods. They are more likely to meet potential partners in public spaces, more likely to find community events to meet new people, more likely to report that the design of their neighborhood encourages social interaction, while those who live in sprawled, auto-dependent areas are more likely to be dissatisfied with their opportunities to meet potential partners in person and use on-line dating more than optimal. 

She concludes, “The most romantically alive cities in the world were likely not designed with dating as their primary goal, what many of them seem to have prioritized was walkability, placemaking, and vibrant public life, and it is precisely those qualities that appear to create the conditions from which romantic connection can grow.”

This is consistent with other research showing that non-auto travel results in more positive social interactions (see attached graph) and more compact, mixed walkable neighborhoods have more community cohesion and less isolation. I incorporated this research into my reports, "Planning for Quality of Life: Considering Community Cohesion and Related Social Goals" (https://vtpi.org/cohesion.pdf).
052
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Better planning = health and happiness! Research described in "Live Long and Prosper: Local Policies for Improving Children’s Health, Success and Happiness" (www.vtpi.org/llp.pdf) shows the U.S. is inefficient at delivering happiness; residents in other countries achieve more happiness per dollar.
Better planning = health and happiness!

My recent research, described in "Live Long and Prosper: Local Policies for Improving Children’s Health, Success and Happiness" (www.vtpi.org/llp.pdf) shows that the U.S. is inefficient at delivering happiness; residents in other countries achieve more happiness per dollar of income. The research suggests that this results from a combination of high living costs, longer working hours, poor health outcomes, inadequate physical activity and social isolation, all problems New Urbanism helps reduce.

This is particularly important for moderate income families with children. Conventional child-raising advice reflects a consumerist perspective which assumes that children’s health, success and happiness require costly goods such as homes with private yards in desirable neighborhoods, family-size vehicles, childcare, healthcare, college savings, and sometimes private schooling. Suburban families are even expected to purchase cars for their teenagers. This assumes that family income is the most important factor affecting children’s wellbeing. For example, an internet search for “what does it cost to raise a child/family in America?” finds various estimates including the MIT Living Wage Calculator's $80,000 for a family to “get by,” and an Urban Institute report that estimates a family needs to earn at least $132,400 to be economically secure. This, of course, implies that most parents are economic failures and must work even harder to provide for their children. 

The report's economic analysis indicates that multifamily housing with unbundled parking in compact, multimodal neighborhoods can reduce housing and transportation costs 20-50%, providing savings that can allow parent to reduce their working hours, childcare costs and tax burdens, and qualify families for lower healthcare costs, greatly reducing the costs of raising healthy, happy and successful children.
030
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Better planning = health and happiness!

My recent research, described in "Live Long and Prosper: Local Policies for Improving Children’s Health, Success and Happiness" (www.vtpi.org/llp.pdf) shows that the U.S. is inefficient at delivering happiness; residents in other countries achieve more happiness per dollar of income. The research suggests that this results from a combination of high living costs, longer working hours, poor health outcomes, inadequate physical activity and social isolation, all problems New Urbanism helps reduce.

This is particularly important for moderate income families with children. Conventional child-raising advice reflects a consumerist perspective which assumes that children’s health, success and happiness require costly goods such as homes with private yards in desirable neighborhoods, family-size vehicles, childcare, healthcare, college savings, and sometimes private schooling. Suburban families are even expected to purchase cars for their teenagers. This assumes that family income is the most important factor affecting children’s wellbeing. For example, an internet search for “what does it cost to raise a child/family in America?” finds various estimates including the MIT Living Wage Calculator's $80,000 for a family to “get by,” and an Urban Institute report that estimates a family needs to earn at least $132,400 to be economically secure. This, of course, implies that most parents are economic failures and must work even harder to provide for their children. 

The report's economic analysis indicates that multifamily housing with unbundled parking in compact, multimodal neighborhoods can reduce housing and transportation costs 20-50%, providing savings that can allow parent to reduce their working hours, childcare costs and tax burdens, and qualify families for lower healthcare costs, greatly reducing the costs of raising healthy, happy and successful children.
000
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Our new traffic safety research. “Is Reducing Exposure to Motor Vehicles a Road Safety Strategy?” (papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....) by Nick Ferenchak, Abbas Sheykhfard and Todd Litman. Reducing vehicle travel increases road safety. Also see “A New Traffic Safety Paradigm” (www.vtpi.org/ntsp.pdf).
papers.ssrn.com
Is Reducing Exposure to Motor Vehicles a Road Safety Strategy?
<p><b><span>Objectives:</span></b><span> Given their high mass and speed, motor vehicles are the primary source of kinetic energy in road systems. This study in
031
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
My research finds that conventional traffic congestion cost studies are highway industry propaganda. I want help finalizing this research. Please review the following report and send me your comments (litman@vtpi.org). "Congestion Costing Best Practices" (www.vtpi.org/ITED_congestion.pdf).
This figure adjusts UMR and GST congestion cost estimates to reflect realistic baseline speeds, exposure and time values, averages costs per capita rather than per motorist, and adds non-commute delays. This indicates that those studies significantly overestimate congestion costs.

Congestion Costing Best Practices (www.vtpi.org/ITED_congestion.pdf). This report identifies best practices for evaluating congestion costs and congestion reduction strategies. It examines key costing factors including metrics (how congestion is measured), baseline speeds, traffic data accuracy, congestion exposure, the treatment of off-peak speed changes, travel time valuation, accessibility analysis, additional impacts (fuel, crash and emission costs, plus walkability and economic development), congestion dynamics, social equity impacts, and research standards. It discusses how these factors influence cost estimates and describes best practices based on expert recommendations. It identifies common congestion cost study biases and discusses their impacts. This report is more comprehensive and current than most previous studies.
022
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Our local urban book group will discuss "Homelessness is a Housing Problem" (homelessnesshousingproblem.com) by Gregg Colburn & Clayton Page Aldern this Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 7-8pm at The Dock, 722 Cormorant Street in downtown Victoria. Also see "Learning from Montreal" (vtpi.org/montreal.pdf)
020
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
“Comparing Transportation Expenditures and Revenues in British Columbia” (www.vtpi.org/ctebc.pdf) shows that most transportation infrastructure dollars are still devoted to highways and their costs are subsidized; motorists only pay about 30% of roadway costs through user fees.
Governments only spend about $100 annually on sidewalks and bikeways. Public transit operating subsidies are small, although the government is currently making large investments in urban transit projects. Roads receive the most public spending: governments spend about $1,000 annually per capita on roads of which only $300 are funded by user fees.
000
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Next week I will give a keynote presentation at Engineers Australia's Transport Conference in Cairns. Here is a sneak preview of my slideshow: "Smart Transportation Funding and Pricing" (vtpi.org/Transport202...). www.engineersaustralia.org.au/learning-and...
110
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Just-released report examines ways to better incorporate health impacts into transport planng. Stefan Gössling, Nadja Schweiggart and Todd Litman, "Current Cost Benefit Practices in Urban and Transport Planning, and Related Environmental Stressors," European Commission (tinyurl.com/yr5hk7bu).
tinyurl.com
Documents download module
052
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
My new research, summarized in the "Congestion Costing Research Slideshow: New Insights and Better Solutions" (vtpi.org/ccrs.pdf ). If you dislike congestion, your best solution is to live in a small city, or in a compact, multimodal urban neighborhood where you can minimize urban-peak driving.
My new research, summarized in the "Congestion Costing Research Slideshow: New Insights and Better Solutions" (https://vtpi.org/ccrs.pdf ) and detailed technical reports shows that most studies studies greatly exaggerate congestion costs and roadway expansion benefits. 

However, I don't want to dismiss these costs. I personally dislike driving in congestion and am frustrated when buses are delayed. This research identifies efficient, fair and effective solutions.

If you dislike congestion, your best solution is to live in a small city, or in a compact, multimodal urban neighborhood where you can minimize urban-peak driving. Central neighborhood residents spend about half as much time commuting as workers in auto-dependent, urban fringe locations, as illustrated in the Commute Duration Dashboard map below. This is particularly true for people with caregiving responsibilities who would need to spend time chauffeuring non-drivers if they live in an auto-dependent, sprawled areas. Most congestion cost studies only compare urban regions rather than neighborhoods, so they provide no practical guidance for choosing a home or lifestyle that minimizes congestion exposure.

This research (https://www.vtpi.org/cong_relief.pdf) indicates that multimodal planning, TDM incentives, and Smart Growth strategies can quickly and efficiently reduce congestion and provide other benefits. Their impacts tend to be synergistic; they become more effective if applied together. Roadways should not be expanded until all low-cost, high-benefit solutions have been fully implemented. Current evaluation practices, which only measure impacts on motorists, overlook the congestion costs avoided when travellers use non-auto modes, which tends to undervalue the quickest, cheapest and most beneficial congestion solutions.

I'm tired of motorists complaining about traffic congestion; they are responsible for it. What do you think?
051
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
On Wednesday I will present a conference paper "Victoria Region Travel Trends: Surveys Show Progress Toward Community Goals" (vtpi.org/vrtt_3June20...), based on my report, "Good News from the 2022 CRD Travel Survey" (www.vtpi.org/CRDts.pdf ). How should we respond to changing travel demands?
010
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
You shouldn't be surprized to learn that commonly-cited studies such as the Urban Mobility Report exaggerate congestion costs and highway expansion benefits, but my new research (vtpi.org/ccrs.pdf) shows exactly how they do it, like pulling back the curtain to see how a charlatan performs a trick.
vtpi.org
020
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
"Congestion Costing Research Slideshow: New Insights and Better Solutions" (vtpi.org/ccrs.pdf) Summarizes important new research concerning congestion evaluation best practices. It criticizes current practices and provides guidance for identifying truly optimal solutions. Comments?
vtpi.org
010
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Here is information from my latest report:
"Congestion Costing Critique: Critical Evaluation of Traffic Congestion Costing Studies" (www.vtpi.org/UMR_critique.pdf)

The graph below compares Urban Mobility Report (UMR) and Global Traffic Scorecard (GTS) estimates with results using best practices. The “realistic” estimates reflect the analysis methods recommended by many experts which indicate that delay cost estimates are typically 4-8 times higher than deadweight loss cost estimates. Of course, congestion costs vary widely depending on individuals and trips. Some motorists would happily pay thousands of dollars in additional annual taxes to reduce congestion in their community, and many would happily pay tolls to avoid congestion on some trips, but these are exceptions; evidence indicates that for most trips motorists would rather save money than small amounts of travel time.
010
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
A very fun documentary video podcast series by Victoria Pedicab driver and travel journalist Johnny Brenneman. He interviews interesting locals and highlights our city's activities and architecture. Season two is released today. "Bon Victoriage" (journeybyjohnny.com/bonvictoriage)
journeybyjohnny.com
Bon Victoriage! — Journey by Johnny
000
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Cheap fuel is economically harmful; productivity increases with fuel prices, illustrated here, because expensive fuel increases transport system efficiency. “Mobility-Productivity Paradox” (www.vtpi.org/ITED_paradox.pdf) and “Appropriate Response to Rising Fuel Prices” (www.vtpi.org/fuelprice.pdf).
Low fuel prices are economically harmful overall; per capita economic productivity tends to increase with fuel prices, as illustrated here, because more expensive fuel increases transportation system efficiency. “The Mobility-Productivity Paradox” (www.vtpi.org/ITED_paradox.pdf). 

These issues are discussed in my report, “Appropriate Response to Rising Fuel Prices” “Appropriate Response to Rising Fuel Prices” (www.vtpi.org/fuelprice.pdf), Professor David Levinson’s recent blog, “Transport Solutions to the Energy Crisis” (https://transportist.org/2026/03/30/transport-solutions-to-the-energy-crisis) and a report I co-wrote for the New Zealand Transportation Agency a few years ago, “Managing Transport Challenges When Oil Prices Rise (www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources/research/reports/357/docs/357.pdf).My report Roadway Costs, User Revenues and Cost Recovery Trends (https://vtpi.org/rcrt.pdf) shows that road user fees pay a declining portion of roadway expenses so more than half of these costs are subsidized by non-users, and my report, “The Mobility-Productivity Paradox” (www.vtpi.org/ITED_paradox.pdf) show that low fuel prices are economically harmful overall; per capita economic productivity tends to increase with fuel prices, as illustrated below, because more expensive fuel increases transportation system efficiency as discussed in my recent column, “The Future Belongs to the Efficient” (www.planetizen.com/blogs/136966-dear-trump-future-belongs-efficient).
074
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
You probably work too hard! Graph from "Live Long and Prosper" (www.vtpi.org/llp.pdf) shows a negative relationship between life satisfaction and work hours. Americans have low satisfaction relative to income; we work more than optimal. We need new economics that maximizes happiness per dollar.
Graph from "Live Long and Prosper" (www.vtpi.org/llp.pdf) shows a negative relationship between life satisfaction and work hours. Americans have low satisfaction relative to income; we work more than optimal. Graph from "Live Long and Prosper" (www.vtpi.org/llp.pdf) shows that life satisfaction increases with low to moderate wealth, but beyond about $25,000 annual GDP per capita the relationship is flat, and peaks around $50,000. Once our basic material needs are met, more wealth provides no more happiness.
020
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
HELP LAUNCH THE PUBLIC TRANSIT ALLIANCE of BC! April 28, 6pm - online The Public Transit Alliance of BC (transitalliancebc.ca) is a new coalition of advocacy groups working to build better public transportation for everyone in BC. Please help spread the word! Register: tinyurl.com/2awwv2yt
HELP LAUNCH THE PUBLIC TRANSIT ALLIANCE of BC!

We’re excited to announce the Public Transit Alliance of BC (https://transitalliancebc.ca), a new coalition of advocacy groups to  build better public transportation for everyone in British Columbia.

The Alliance envisions a British Columbia where everyone can get where they need to go safely, reliably, affordably, and accessibly, with care, comfort, and connection.

Join our launch event to hear from speakers, learn about the Alliance's goals, and be part of this determined new chapter for transportation equity in BC. You will also get a first look at our inaugural campaign — find out how your voice, skills, experience, and networks can help. 

Please help spread the word - share this invitation with your networks. We're looking for allies, advocates, and amplifiers at every level.

Register: https://westcoastclimateaction.ca/launch-public-transit-alliance-bc-register
020
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Walkable neighborhoods are the foundation of an efficient, equitable and healthy community. Denver's Sidewalk Implementation Plan (lnkd.in/gbBaJGPs) treats sidewalks like other transport infrastructure. Also see "Completing Sidewalk Networks: Benefits and Costs" (www.vtpi.org/csn.pdf ).
000
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Montreal proves that North American cities can become affordable by encouraging middle-density infill. This graph compares average asking rents for two-bedroom apartments in Canadian cities converted to U.S. dollars. Half of all apartments rent for less than US$1,200 per month. C'est bon!
Montreal proves that North American cities can become affordable by encouraging middle-density infill. Its neighborhoods are compact, mixed and multimodal, making it easy to live car-free. 

This graph compares average asking rents for two-bedroom apartments in Canadian cities converted to U.S. dollars (data from https://lnkd.in/gWa7HR35). In Montreal, half of all apartments currently rent for less than US$1,200 per month. 

For guidance see, "Build the Middle Playbook" (https://lnkd.in/g_7AaFA7) by Zillow and the Casita Coalition. It is a snapshot of best practices and successful strategies collected from around the United States, Canada, and beyond for inspiration.

My report, "Learning from Montreal: An Affordable and Inclusive City; Leçons de Montréal : Une Ville Abordable et Inclusive (https://lnkd.in/gyCyQxkp) provides more information.
060
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
Bicycling increases and crash rates decline in cities that invest in cycling infrastructure. Ralph Buehler, J. Pucher, et al. (2026), "Cycling in New York, London, Paris, and Berlin" International Journal of Sustainable Transport (www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/15568318.2026.2649315)
312647
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
This article describes problems traveling between Vancouver Island communities. "Calls for Accessible Intercity Bus Service in the Alberni-Clayoquot Region Intensify," Ha-Shilth-Sa News (www.hashilthsa.com/news/2026-04...). Also see "Public Transit Investment Talking Points" (vtpi.org/ptitp.pdf).
010
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
TV news interviewed me about vehicle trends "More cars than people added to CRD between 2024-25" (lnkd.in/gxY-ft_z.). Overall, per capita driving declined as discussed in "Good News from CRD Travel Survey" (www.vtpi.org/CRDts.pdf ) and "Active Transport Talking Points" www.vtpi.org/CRD_AT_TP.pdf
010
Todd Litman @toddlitman.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Fascinating draft article. Comments appreciated. “Live Long and Prosper: Local Policies for Improving Children’s Health, Success and Happiness” (www.vtpi.org/llp.pdf). Uses new research to help understand how community design affects children’s welfare and local policies to achieve related goals.
vtpi.org
000