Evaluating Non-Motorized Transportation Benefits and Costs

Authors:  Todd Litman

Publication Details: Victoria Transport Policy Institute, 2011

The report organizes non-motorized transport (NMT) benefits into key categories, including user convenience, fitness vehicle cost savings, safer streets, and improved land use. It also introduces the concept of “option value”, the benefit of simply having walking or biking as a practical choice and explains how NMT supports greater equity for low-income or mobility-limited individuals.

One of the important insights is that even small improvements in walking and cycling infrastructure can lead to big shifts in behaviour and broader societal benefits. For example, building better sidewalks or bike lanes can reduce the need for car trips and open up access to jobs, schools, and services.

The report encourages planners and policymakers to evaluate NMT projects more holistically, recognizing both measurable outcomes (like reduced healthcare or fuel costs) and intangible ones (like liability and social inclusion). It calls for integrated, well-designed strategies that make walking and cycling safer, easier, and more attractive for all.

Read More: https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/nmt-tdm.pdf

Urban Transportation – Challenges & Way Forward

Authors: P. Krishna, M. Singh, M.C. Tandon, N. Raghavan, P.K. Sikdar, S. Chandra

Publication Details: INAE Forum on Civil Infrastructure (Traffic & Transportation), 2019

The report provides a comprehensive analysis of urban transportation issues in India and proposes actionable strategies for improvement. The authors identify key challenges such as rapid urbanization, inadequate public transport systems, traffic congestion, road safety concerns, pollution, and fragmented institutional frameworks. They emphasize the need for a multi-modal approach, integrating various transportation modes to enhance efficiency and reduce dependency on private vehicles. It advocates for the development of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, the promotion of non-motorized transport, and the implementation of intelligent transport systems to improve traffic management.

Further, the authors highlight the importance of policy reforms, including the establishment of a Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) and the creation of an Urban Transport Fund (UTF) to ensure coordinated planning and funding. They also stress the significance of public awareness campaigns and societal involvement in fostering a culture of safe and sustainable transportation. In conclusion, the report outlines a roadmap for transforming urban transportation in India, focusing on safety, convenience, and sustainability through integrated planning, technological advancements, and collaborative governance.

Read More: https://www.inae.in/storage/2020/01/Urban-Transportation.pdf

Global EV Outlook 2024

Authors: T. Gül Pales, A. Fernandez Pales, E. Connelly

Publication Details: International Energy Agency, 2024

The report highlights the continued growth of electric vehicle (EV) adoption worldwide. In 2023, nearly 14 million electric cars were sold, and sales are expected to reach 17 million in 2024. China leads the market, with Europe and the U.S. following. The report emphasizes that stronger policy support, declining battery costs, and rising competition are helping make EVs more affordable, although prices remain higher than conventional cars in many regions. It also covers the rise of electric two- and three-wheelers in developing economies, growing investment in EV and battery manufacturing, and the importance of expanding charging infrastructure. Battery recycling and the second-hand EV market are gaining traction, while innovations like sodium-ion batteries offer hope for cheaper alternatives. The report concludes that continued government backing, smart grid planning, and more affordable EV options are crucial in making electric mobility a global and sustainable reality.

Read More: https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/a9e3544b-0b12-4e15-b407-65f5c8ce1b5f/GlobalEVOutlook2024.pdf

2019 Urban Mobility Report

Authors: David Schrank, Bill Eisele, Tim Lomax

Publication Details: The Texas A&M Transportation Institute, 2019

The report analyses traffic congestion in 494 U.S. urban areas. It highlights the increasing burden of congestion on commuters and the economy. In 2017, urban congestion caused 8.8 billion hours of delay and wasted 3.3 billion gallons of fuel, costing the nation $166 billion. The average commuter lost 54 hours and 21 gallons of fuel annually, equating to a personal cost of $1,010. Trucks, while comprising only 7 per cent of traffic, accounted for 12 per cent of congestion-related costs. The report introduces the Planning Time Index, showing that travellers must allow 34 minutes for a normally 20-minute trip to ensure on-time arrival. Using high-resolution data from INRIX and other transportation agencies, the study provides more accurate congestion metrics and aims to inform smarter infrastructure investment and traffic management strategies. The report highlights the need for targeted, data-driven solutions to urban traffic challenges.

Read More: https://static.tti.tamu.edu/tti.tamu.edu/documents/umr/archive/mobility-report-2019.pdf

Applying System Dynamics Modelling to Modal Shift: A Systematic Review

Authors:  Z. Pirouzrahi, T. Vanelslander, A.N. Aghdam

Publication Details: Sustainable Futures, 2025

This paper reviews how system dynamics (SD) modelling can be used to understand and support policies aimed at shifting freight transport from road to more sustainable modes like railways and waterways. Road freight, while flexible and fast, causes serious environmental and social issues such as high emissions, accidents, and noise. The study highlights that modal shift is often part of broader climate and transport strategies, but current SD models are limited in scope and often neglect key system interactions. By analysing 24 relevant studies, the authors identify gaps such as the lack of feedback loops, logistics decision-making and capacity considerations and propose a more integrated framework. The paper argues that understanding how carriers and shippers respond to policies, including through fleet upgrades, pricing changes, and logistics choices, is crucial. It recommends building a comprehensive SD model that reflects these dynamics to help policymakers develop more effective and realistic strategies for reducing freight-related emissions.

Read More: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2025.100526.

Electric Vehicles: Benefits, Challenges, and Potential Solutions for Widespread Adaptation

Authors: Fayez Alanazi

Publication Details: Applied Sciences, 2023

This paper explores the growing interest in electric vehicles (EVs) as a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to traditional fuel-powered cars. It highlights the environmental benefits of EVs, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions, quieter operation, and lower maintenance and fuel costs. However, the paper also outlines key challenges limiting widespread adoption such as limited driving range, high battery costs, inadequate charging infrastructure, and battery performance issues. To address these hurdles, the author suggests strategies like improving battery technology, expanding fast-charging networks, using battery-swapping stations, and offering government incentives such as subsidies and tax breaks. The study emphasizes that successful EV adoption requires collaboration among governments, industry players, and urban planners, especially within the framework of Smart Cities. With proper planning and investment, EVs have the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions and reshape the future of urban transportation more sustainably.

Read More: https://doi.org/10.3390/app13106016

Commuting Practices: New Insights into Modal Shift from Theories of Social Practice

Authors: Noel Cass, James Faulconbridge

Publication Details: Transport Policy, 2016

The article examines why people continue to rely heavily on cars for commuting, despite numerous policies aimed at encouraging sustainable alternatives like buses and cycling. The authors argue that commuting is not just a matter of individual choice, but is deeply tied to everyday routines, social norms, and the structure of daily life. The study reveals that a successful modal shift depends on the right tools (like safe bike storage or frequent bus routes), necessary skills (such as reading bus schedules or cycling safely), and the belief that these options are practical, normal, or even enjoyable.

The authors argue that to make low-carbon commuting more appealing, policies need to go beyond nudging individuals or infrastructure investments. Real change requires rethinking how our cities and lives are structured such as integrating land-use planning, flexible work schedules, and changes to services like healthcare and education by encouraging more local services. Only by reshaping the broader context in which commuting happens can we expect significant shifts toward more sustainable travel.

Read More: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2015.08.002

Towards Sustainability: New Tools for Planning Urban Pedestrian Mobility

Authors:  Daniela Santilli, Mauro D’Apuzzo, Azzurra Evangelisti , Vittorio Nicolosi

Publication Details:  Sustainability, 2021

This paper explores how cities can better plan for pedestrian movement to support sustainable and inclusive mobility. It highlights how urban areas have become increasingly dependent on private vehicles, leading to pollution, traffic, and social inequality. The authors argue that walking remains a key part of daily travel but is often overlooked in city planning. To address this, they introduce a hybrid forecasting model that combines space syntax (which looks at the layout and connectivity of streets) with land use data such as population density and retail activity. Using the Italian city of Cassino as a case study, the model was tested and calibrated with real pedestrian counts. The findings show that integrating street design with local attractions like shops gives a much more accurate picture of pedestrian flows. This approach can help cities design safer, more accessible spaces and reduce risks especially important for vulnerable road users and during public health emergencies.

Read More: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/16/9371