Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
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)
Engineering
67%
Energy
15%
COP30 Engagement - SLOCAT
slocat.net
The UN Climate Change Conference (slocat.net/cop30) starts today in Brazil. In preparation Sustainable Mobility for All produced the "Transport, Climate and Sustainability Global Status Report" (gsr4.slocat.net). I co-wrote the North American Overview and several of my studies are cited in it.
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Oct 8
More Transit Means Safer Streets — Streetsblog USA
Promoting transit isn't just a social good. It's also a tool to achieve Vision Zero.
usa.streetsblog.org
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/09/30/m...
This article, which emphasizes the relative safety (low crash rates) and security (low crime rates)of public transit compared to driving, is based on my research (www.vtpi.org/safer.pdf). What do you think.Can we overcome unjustified fears of transit travel?
This article, which emphasizes the relative safety (low crash rates) and security (low crime rates)of public transit compared to driving, is based on my research (www.vtpi.org/safer.pdf). What do you think.Can we overcome unjustified fears of transit travel?
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Oct 3
A Celebration of the Life and Work of Donald Shoup
The Department of Urban Planning and UCLA ITS celebrate and remember the life and work of Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Donald Shoup.
www.eventbrite.com
This celebration of Donald Shoup's work is just about to start at UCLA. I'm sorry to miss it! I updated my reports:
"Parking Management: Comprehensive Implementation Guide (lnkd.in/gixZBybx) and "Pavement Busters Guide (www.vtpi.org/pavbust.pdf).
www.eventbrite.com/e/a-celebrat...
"Parking Management: Comprehensive Implementation Guide (lnkd.in/gixZBybx) and "Pavement Busters Guide (www.vtpi.org/pavbust.pdf).
www.eventbrite.com/e/a-celebrat...
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Oct 3
#transportpolicy #activetransport #publictransport #conservativevalues #governmentspending #healthsavings #sustainability #urbanplanning #infrastructure #politicalstrategy #healthandwellness… | Get Ar...
🚗 Russell King on Conservative Values & Transport
In the latest Streets and People podcast, transport policy expert Russell King discusses how conservatives can support public and active transport. H...
www.linkedin.com
This podcast discusses why conservatives should support active and public transport. It cites my report, "Responsive Planning in Ideologically Conservative Communities" (vtpi.org/ppcc.pdf) summarized in "Good Planning under Bad Leadership" (lnkd.in/gGgBcDsj).
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Sep 24
Week Without Driving
Sep 29th – Oct 5th, 2025 - An experience created for everyone to learn firsthand about barriers and challenges for nondrivers. Join, support, or become a host.
weekwithoutdriving.org
Week Without Driving (weekwithoutdriving.org)
Monday, September 29 – Sunday, October 5, 2025
The Week Without Driving helps motorists learn firsthand about the barriers and challenges that nondrivers face, and help identify ways to create transportation systems that serve everybody.
Monday, September 29 – Sunday, October 5, 2025
The Week Without Driving helps motorists learn firsthand about the barriers and challenges that nondrivers face, and help identify ways to create transportation systems that serve everybody.
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Sep 16
Breaking News, Latest News and Videos | CNN
View the latest news and breaking news today for U.S., world, weather, entertainment, politics and health at CNN.com.
www.cnn.com
I was interviewed for this article about transit security. I emphasize that transit travel is overall very safe and it becomes safer the more non-criminals use it.
"Why It’s So Hard to Keep America’s Public Transit Riders Safe," (www.cnn.com/2025/09/14/us/public-transit-safety-charlotte-stabbing)
"Why It’s So Hard to Keep America’s Public Transit Riders Safe," (www.cnn.com/2025/09/14/us/public-transit-safety-charlotte-stabbing)
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Sep 15
Republicans Want to Scare You off Mass Transit. Cars Are Scarier.
A fatal stabbing on Charlotte Light Rail set off a panic about the risks of public transportation. There’s just one thing: It’s worlds safer than cars.
newrepublic.com
This cites my research on public transit's relative safety and security. See "Safer Than You Think: Revising the Transit Safety Narrative" (www.vtpi.org/safer.pdf).
Republicans Want to Scare You off Mass Transit. Cars Are Scarier. newrepublic.com/article/2003... via @newrepublic.com
Republicans Want to Scare You off Mass Transit. Cars Are Scarier. newrepublic.com/article/2003... via @newrepublic.com
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Sep 12
www.vtpi.org
Here is a terrific program I support that helps youths become comfortable using public transit. My research highlights the many benefits, including safety described in "Safer than You Think: The New Transit Safety Narrative" (www.vtpi.org/safer.pdf).
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Sep 8
Comment: It’s time for smarter solutions to parking problems
Our parking needs are changing. Driving has peaked and continues to decline in cities that invest in non-auto modes.
www.timescolonist.com
“It’s Time for Smarter Solutions to Parking Problems” (www.timescolonist.com/opinion/comment-its-time-for-smarter-solutions-to-parking-problems-11172578). My research supports more efficient parking management (www.planetizen.com/blogs/135767...). Affordability, convenience and less pavement!
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Aug 27
"Parking: The Dark Matter of the Urban Universe" (www.planetizen.com/blogs/135767...) generated debate on the ITE website.
Critics assume that vehicle ownership is growing, but it peaked and is declining. See "They Future Isn't What it Used to Be" (www.vtpi.org/future.pdf)
Less parking is needed!
Critics assume that vehicle ownership is growing, but it peaked and is declining. See "They Future Isn't What it Used to Be" (www.vtpi.org/future.pdf)
Less parking is needed!
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Aug 26
A Reality Check on Crime, Safety, and Transit
While Duffy and Nadler battle it out in a shouting match, the data is clear: transit is safe.
www.planetizen.com
"A Reality Check on Crime, Safety and Transit" (www.planetizen.com/blogs/135871...)
It's time to correct misinformation about the dangers of transit and urban living. As transit travel increases crash casualties and crime tend to decline due to less driving and more non-criminal pedestrians.
It's time to correct misinformation about the dangers of transit and urban living. As transit travel increases crash casualties and crime tend to decline due to less driving and more non-criminal pedestrians.
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Aug 25
People believe parking problems mean we need more spaces. The real issue is that we are terrible at managing parking.
"Free" parking costs us millions of dollars every year.
We just don...
People believe parking problems mean we need more spaces. The real issue is that we are terrible at managing parking.
"Free" parking costs us millions of dollars every year.
We just don't see the bi...
www.linkedin.com
Here is Russell King's newsletter that cites my column "Parking: The Dark Matter of the Urban Universe" (lnkd.in/dhmgBrkB) and report "Parking Management" (lnkd.in/gixZBybx).
It's time to rethink parking mandates!
www.linkedin.com/posts/russel...
It's time to rethink parking mandates!
www.linkedin.com/posts/russel...
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Aug 21
My concern is not responsibility or judgment, it is about impacts on passengers and transit travel. For example, the question is not whether panhandlers and drug users are good or bad, it is whether they are disruptive and therefore discourage some travellers from choosing transit.
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Aug 21
www.vtpi.org
On the contrary, I think that many people want objective and credible information, in this case, to be reassured that transit travel and city living are rational. You can ridicule anti-urban rhetoric as biased propaganda that only fools believe. See "Smart Growth Savings" (www.vtpi.org/sg_save.pdf)
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Aug 21
What sour points?
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Aug 21
The question is the degree that transit agencies should enforce intrusive behaviors, such as smoking, drug/alcohol use, panhandling and noise, in transit vehicles and stations. Progressives (particularly those who don't depend on transit) tend to defend rights rather than responsibilities.
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Aug 21
www.vtpi.org
Yes, high quality public transit and living in a transit-oriented community provides many economic, social and environmental benefits. See my report, "Selling Smart Growth" (www.vtpi.org/ssg.pdf).
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Aug 21
We Need a Reality Check on Crime, Safety and Transit
Despite common assumptions, traveling by bus, subway or train is far safer than driving. How can transit agencies correct misinformation about the real risks?
www.bloomberg.com
My latest Bloomberg CityLab column.
“We Need a Reality Check on Crime, Safety and Transit” (www.bloomberg.com/news/article... ). Despite common assumptions, traveling by bus, subway or train is far safer than driving. How can transit agencies correct misinformation about the real risks?
“We Need a Reality Check on Crime, Safety and Transit” (www.bloomberg.com/news/article... ). Despite common assumptions, traveling by bus, subway or train is far safer than driving. How can transit agencies correct misinformation about the real risks?
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Aug 20
Parking: The Dark Matter of the Urban Universe
Parking regulations affect our lives and communities in many, often mysterious ways. These impacts are often overlooked, resulting in bad policies. It's time to apply urban planning magic.
www.planetizen.com
"Parking: The Dark Matter of the Urban Universe" (www.planetizen.com/blogs/135767...)
Parking regulations affect our lives and communities in many, often mysterious ways. It's time to apply urban planning magic: fewer driveways and better managed public parking.
Parking regulations affect our lives and communities in many, often mysterious ways. It's time to apply urban planning magic: fewer driveways and better managed public parking.
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Aug 12
US cities are safe! Urban crime rates plummeted during the last thirty years, especially in large cities, illustrated below. New York is particularly successful. Unfortunately, most people don't know this; their perceptions are outdated. See "A New Transit Safety Paradigm" (www.vtpi.org/safer.pdf).
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Aug 11
Mednarodni pregled prakse upravljanja parkiranja / An International Overview of Parking Management
YouTube video by Transformative transport planning research group
www.youtube.com
Mednarodni pregled prakse upravljanja parkiranja (International Overview of Parking Management)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha02...
I helped give an overview of parking problems and better solutions for the Slovenian National Conference on Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning.
What do you think?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha02...
I helped give an overview of parking problems and better solutions for the Slovenian National Conference on Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning.
What do you think?
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Aug 7
Parking Mandates Map - Parking Reform Network
A map of cities which have reduced or eliminated costly car parking mandates (parking requirements).
parkingreform.org
This Parking Reform Network map shows jurisdictions that reduce or eliminate parking mandates. It now includes Denver, Vancouver and Washington State. These reforms increase affordability, fairness, transportation efficiency and community livability.
parkingreform.org/resources/ma...
parkingreform.org/resources/ma...
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Aug 6
"Mobility Across Canada" (tram.mcgill.ca/Research/Sur...). New study finds that over half of Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Victoria commuters use non-auto modes, much more than census indicates. Non-drivers report more quality of life. More justification for non-auto investments.
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Aug 5
Join us for the next virtual episode of Conversations in Transportation, hosted by NCSITE, this Thursday, August 7 at 12:00 PM EST! | Christa Greene
Join us for the next virtual episode of Conversations in Transportation, hosted by NCSITE, this Thursday, August 7 at 12:00 PM EST!
This session will feature an engaging conversation with Todd Litman...
www.linkedin.com
Join me for an interesting discussion concerning walking and bicycling benefits, transit safety and parking reform in Conversations in Transportation, this Thursday, August 7 at 9:00 am Pacific Time, noon EST! Free.
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Aug 5
Karner, Rowangould and Barajas' article has good suggestions for replacing TRB. Unfortunately, ITE has shown little leadership and my efforts to discuss this have been opposed by pro-Trump members and fearful executives.
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Aug 5
Agreed. However, I'll miss seeing you and other friends! It was an important part of my life and career for decades, and I like to think that we made important contributions.
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Aug 5
OSF
osf.io
For three decades, the Transportation Research Board's annual meeting was a highlight of my year. However, the Trump administration is debasing TRB, as discussed in this article, so I won't bother. Very sad.
"US Transportation Research at a Crossroads" (osf.io/preprints/os...)
"US Transportation Research at a Crossroads" (osf.io/preprints/os...)
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Aug 4
"Pavement Busters' Guide" (www.vtpi.org/pavbust.pdf) has a new section, 'Off-Street Parking Inefficiencies.' Driveways displace on-street parking so off-street parking mandates often reduces parking supply. More reasons for parking reforms and better planning. parkingreform.org
What do you think?
What do you think?
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Aug 1
TVO Today | Current Affairs Journalism, Documentaries and Podcasts
www.tvo.org
"ANALYSIS: What exactly does the court’s bike-lane decision mean?" (tinyurl.com/yef8dj8y)
An Ontario court recognized that bikeways increase safety and removing them does not improve traffic flow as the government claimed. Also see "Evaluating to Bikeway Criticism" (vtpi.org/ebc.pdf)
An Ontario court recognized that bikeways increase safety and removing them does not improve traffic flow as the government claimed. Also see "Evaluating to Bikeway Criticism" (vtpi.org/ebc.pdf)
Todd Litman
@toddlitman.bsky.social
· Jul 31
US, Canada, Aus. & NZ rate poorly in portion of youths who use active modes for utilitarian travel (e.g., school, malls, friend’s house), indicating they lack independence and exercise.
"Profiles of Active Transportation among Children and Adolescents" (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...).
"Profiles of Active Transportation among Children and Adolescents" (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...).