DESCRITION

		Double Session on the Economic and Social Impacts of Automobile Dependency Transportation Research Board 1999 Annual Meeting In this century, surface transport systems have become increasingly automobile dependent (defined as "high levels of per capita automobile travel, automobile oriented land use patterns, and reduced transport alternatives"). Recent research challenges the assumption that increased automobile travel is necessarily good for an economy or society. Beyond a certain level, automobile dependency may impose more costs than benefits. This session will explore the socially optimal level of automobile use and what this implies for transport policy and facility investment. Each presenter will discuss the following questions 1. How can we know the optimal level of automobile dependency? 2. What do data indicate about whether particular regions are below, at, or above this optimum? 3. What does this imply for public policy? After all presentations, during the Part 2 Session, the panel will discuss areas of agreement and disagreement, and the audience will also have an opportunity to raise questions and share comments. CONTEXT This session relates to a growing controversy about the future of transportation. Highway advocates support increased construction of roadways, increased parking requirements, and low automobile user charges. They point out that motor vehicle travel is growing due to increased population, wealth and suburban lifestyles, resulting in increased traffic congestion. They argue that failing to expand roadway and parking capacity, and efforts to constrain motor vehicle use, contradict consumer preferences, stifle economic growth, and reduce personal freedom. They cite the general failure of public transit in the U.S. to attract new riders as evidence that highways are the most cost effective transportation investment. Highway advocates often argue that fuel taxes and other motor vehicle user charges should be dedicated to roadway improvements. Transportation Demand Management (TDM) advocates support the development of a more diverse transport system. They recommend investing in travel alternatives and using a variety of Transportation Demand Management strategies, including higher user charges, to curb automobile traffic growth. They point to the high economic, social and environmental costs associated with motor vehicle use, and market distortions that result in excessive automobile travel, as evidence that increased motor vehicle use is overall harmful to communities. They argue that creating a more diversified transportation system is the most effective way to address traffic congestion, meet economic and social needs, support economic development, and protect the environment. They cite the tendency of "generated traffic" to fill new highway capacity, and the success of public transit and bicycle programs in selected communities, as evidence that such alternatives are the most cost effective transportation investments. TDM advocates often argue that fuel taxes and other automobile user charges should be spent on travel alternatives, since motorists benefit indirectly from such investments, and because motor vehicle use does not pay its full costs. This session is intended to get beyond simple arguments about whether automobiles are "good" or "bad," and explore under what conditions increased motor vehicle is beneficial, and when it is better to limit increased traffic and emphasize alternatives. Participants will examine recent research concerning whether highway investments and low user charges increase or reduce economic development. They will discuss the implications of this research in both developed and developing economies. MODERATOR Dr. Susan Handy, Professor of Community and Regional Planning at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Handy has done extensive research on the geographic and demographic factors that affect individual households' travel behavior, and strategies that could encourage more diverse transportation patterns. PRESENTORS Don Chen Title Social Impacts of Automobile Dependency Don Chen is Research Manager and Manager of Smart Growth Program for the Surface Transportation Policy Project, a coalition working to promote transportation systems that is efficient, environmentally responsible, equitable, and promotes economic development. Dr. Kenneth Green Title Optimality, Externality, and Things that go Bump in the Night Dr. Kenneth Green is Director of Environmental Program for the Reason Public Policy Institute, a research organization promoting policy which supports personal responsibility in a framework of individual liberty and limited government. He is author of the report "Defending Automobility A Critical Examination of the Environmental and Social Costs of Auto Use," and favors innovative, decentralized, and/or market-based measures to address external impacts of automobile use. Frank Haight Title "Pollution, congestion and cost - anything else wrong with cars?" Frank Haight is Editor of Transportation Research A & B, and has a lifetime of experience in transportation research and policy analysis. Walter Hook Title Road Investments, Economic Growth, and Debt Lessons from Asia and Africa Walter Hook is Director of the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, an organization that works to promote sustainable transportation policies in developing countries. He has worked with governments and non-profit organizations throughout the world to promote more equitable and efficient transportation systems. Todd Litman Title Automobile Dependency and Economic Development (Email copy of paper available on requiest from [email protected]) Todd Litman is Director of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, an organization dedicated to developing innovative tools for transportation decision making. Much of his work involves incorporating economic, social and environmental impacts that are often omitted in transportation planning. He has worked on numerous studies that examine the full costs and benefits of various transportation policies and investments. >From paper abstract "This paper summarizes recent research indicating that automobile dependency can reduce regional economic development. This is consistent with economic theory that any type of consumption experiences diminishing benefits, and that failures in the transportation market, such as underpriced driving will lead to inefficient levels of automobile use. This research indicates that automobile dependency can impose costs on consumers, society and the economy; reduce transportation choices; and constrain the availability of capital for industrial investment." Frank Moretti Director of Research, The Road Information Program (TRIP). Title Meeting the Diverse Transportation Needs of the Information Age Frank Moretti is Director of Research for The Road Information Program (TRIP), an organization that promotes transportation policies that relieve traffic congestion, improve air quality, make highway travel safer and enhance economic productivity. His presentation will discuss the appropriate level of automobile dependence at a time of increases in mobility, growing global economic prosperity, increased demand for lower density living, greater personal mobility and significant improvements in environmental performance in the transportation sector. Professor Peter Newman Director, Institute for Science and Technology Policy Title The Costs of Automobile Dependency A Global Survey of Cities Professor Newman was the first to use the term "Automobile Dependency," and is co-author of the seminal book on the subject, "Cities and Automobile Dependency." His presentation will give new numbers on the 'the good, the bad and the ugly' cities from the most recent global survey data. His newest book 'Cities and Sustainability', will be launched by Island Press at the TRB Annual Meeting. * * * * * The Transportation Research Board is a unit of the National Research Council, which serves the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering. The TRB Annual Meeting, held each January in Washington DC, attracts 6,000-8,000 participants representing a wide range of transportation professionals. For registration information visit www.nas.edu/trb/meeting or call 301-694-5243. * * * * * For more information on this session contact Todd Litman, Director Victoria Transport Policy Institute 1250 Rudlin Street Victoria, BC, V8V 3R7, Canada Phone & Fax 250-360-1560 E-mail [email protected] Website