Once again my professional body indicates it is out of touch with the local government sector of the industry. It is at least a decade since I’ve worked somewhere with a “training budget” (yes, this is part of why we are in permanent crisis, thanks for asking).
Informal transport moves millions, yet it’s often overlooked in policy. Today, the ITF hosts a webinar on maximizing its benefits while addressing challenges.
via linkedin @itf-international-transport-forum
https://www.itf-oecd.org/incorporating-informal-transport-mobility-planning
I was surprised to see it announced today that Chiltern will be running services on the first leg of EWR. Not because it is surprising in the slightest, but rather because it has been such common knowledge for so long…
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdjyvrvw1vwo
I don’t know where to start.
The depressing commitment to further embed car reliance, high emissions and traffication?
The obvious contradiction in saying “the decision on the funding model has not been made yet, but the tunnel itself and the utility works would be publicly funded, alongside significant private sector finance”?
The MP from the car-worshipping anti-nature party being against it(!)?
The evident truth spoken by Chris Todd from TAN, that has failed to inform the decision?
Maybe I should just go back to bed.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crewy5472gxo
Emma Woods’ piece in today’s LTT on “Why “Economic Thunking” is preventing us from tackling the real issues with transport” is really good - if you have access to Local Transport Today be sure ti give it a read!
If I can find an open access version I’ll add a link.
TAG at a Glance" on my website is now up-to-date with the Nov 2024 and forthcoming May 2025 changes to DfT's Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG).
The updated units etc are all highlighted, with a summary of what’s new in each one, and direct links to all the latest versions.
I finished reading this a few hours ago; “Feminist City” by Leslie Kern.
It is a wide ranging book that sets out key issues around the way that both spaces and society are structured and how they relate to one another. If you’re involved in town planning or transport planning, you should read this, and try to digest and act on it. Men in particular.
I had a letter from the DVLA today saying my car tax is now £351.75.
Almost a pound a day, before insurance, servicing, MOT etc & before moving an inch. But given the externalities of using it it is still underpriced.
Unfortunately I can’t discharge my personal/family responsibilities & work duties without the bloody thing, though I’d ditch it tomorrow if I could.
We really need to change the transport system & how society works
Sometimes change takes a long time.
When I was a councillor I fought for a safe pedestrian and bike crossing on Balwyn Road between Hislop Park and Gordon Barnard Reserve for many years. This was and still is a vital link through a chain of linear parks for access to schools, recreation facilities, homes and much more.
More than a decade later I'm delighted to see that this new signalised crossing behind me has finally been installed.
There were many people involved in getting this done, including local parents and council officers. My thanks goes to everyone who supported it.
We overcame local opposition, funding hurdles and approval barriers and succeeded in the end. Looking forward to using it once the power is turned on!
Periodically some people call for cyclists to pay “road tax” saying that they contribute to wear on the roads etc. so should pay towards maintenance.
As I understand it the amount of wear a vehicle causes varies based on the fourth power of the axle weight.
So if I’ve got my sums right, having a charge of a pound a month for a bicycle, and taxing motorists in direct proportion to difference in damage done to road could look something like this…
Disparaging informal transport as "Illegal taxis," "pirate taxis," and "chaos" is a deflection. These informal operators are succeeding where the formal systems keep falling flat.
via Xitter @IPSNewsUNBureau
https://www.ipsnews.net/2024/12/africa-public-transport-struggles-to-match-urban-growth/
My first YouTube short out now!
Why I think Nunawading Railway Station is one of the best-designed in #Melbourne
That feeling when...
You need to check some facts from 2017 in the back numbers of Modern Railways, and of course it's the volume that's all the way back behind the Christmas tree...
Delighted to be a member of the Transport Planning Society's new policy panel.
Transport planners have a uniquely holistic viewpoint are at the interface between so many parts of our transport policies - which also means land-use policies, fiscal policies and many more.
The TPS will provide a distinct, valuable, well-informed voice.
And there's no shortage of things to cover!
Full story: https://tps.org.uk/news/over-40-transport-planning-professionals-form-new
Funny how things go....
Yesterday I mentioned in my blogpost that unlike the other two parts of the DfT VfM framework, the supplementary guidance on landscape monetisation isn't relevant to most projects.
Today I needed to check back with it on a project!
Link to post if you missed it:
https://grahamjames.co.uk/dfts-new-value-for-money-framework-what-you-need-to-know/
#Transport and #TransportPlanning people, follow @DfTAnswers and you should see #DfT’s answers to parliamentary questions.
Yesterday, National Integrated Transport Strategy “launched”; today, the SoS quits out of the blue - presumably jumping before being pushed by scandal breaking in the media… coincidence, or a sign that the NITS could actually achieve something so someone felt it ought to be tripped up?
Today we went from raw AIS datasets of ships to their origin destination graph... get on the waiting list we are days from a public launch and build sophisticated full stack geospatial apps in mins! https://geobase.app #gischat 
#js #nextjs #movement #transportplanning
Never underestimate the importance of designing walking infrastructure to local conditions.
This is an example where a footpath has only been provided on one side of an inner city street in Melbourne on the east side. Because the sun sets in the west, it cops direct sunlight at the hottest part of the day.
When the ambient temperature is 36 degrees like today in a climate like Australia's, people will take matters into their own hands.
I’ll be interested in how this plays out, given how much money it would take in rural areas to do it half properly… hopefully they don’t intend to push change on us without adequate funding and then leave cash-strapped local authorities to take the blame. Fortunately central government doesn’t have any form in that department at all…
'London-style' bus services promised nationwide with £1bn boost https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c86qy500545o
