This thesis investigates the effects of urban land use on transportation system performance in terms of various land use factors such as density, mixed or single land use, jobs-housing balance, street patterns, transit accessibility. Reviewed studies show that urban land use has considerable effects on transportation system performance measures which are average travel distances per person, level of service, air quality, gasoline consumption etc. Based on the obtained results, it is concluded that one of the basic reasons behind increasing auto dependency and outcoming problems in recent years is lack of coordination between land use and transportation system. The obtained results are used to analyze land use impacts on transportation system of Ankara. Urban transportation planning decisions, deficiencies in implementation and resulted problems are discussed in terms of land use and transportation interaction. Possible land use regulations which can contribute to relieve transportation problems of Ankara are proposed.

Public transport improvement and new public transport management approaches are accepted as the most effective tools in order to cope with the urban transportation problem threatening sustainable urban life and efficient functioning of urban areas. The need for new solutions to replace, or support, costly new capacities created two new concepts at the two ends of the transportation phenomenon / Travel Demand Management (TDM) on the demand side and Transportation System Management (TSM) at the supply side. The main aim of this thesis is to show whether such public transport improvement policies and measures can make a difference in urban transport and traffic, and contribute to the attainment of a more sustainable transport system. In particular, it is intended to assess the role of fare and pricing policies together with modal reorganization strategies in improving public transport, and increasing its ridership.

Based on a national survey of State Departments of Transportation (DOTs), it was determined that such agencies are engaged in a variety of activities to address sustainability issues associated with transportation planning, design, and operations. However, state DOTs in general do not have sufficient policies or practices in place to evaluate and prioritize investment options that will promote sustainable development. For this research, a mixed-methods research design employing an expert panel and case studies of individual State DOTs was used to develop, test, and evaluate the value of a strategic planning tool that can help DOTs evolve more sustainable practices and be used to monitor progress over time. A self-assessment tool was designed to guides agencies through (1) identifying internal strengths and weaknesses (or gaps) in their planning frameworks and organizational structure and culture, (2) characterizing features of the external environment as opportunities or threats, (3) prioritizing areas for strategy development, and (4) developing strategies that link the internal and external environments. The tool was tested by seven state DOTs who completed the assessment and provided feedback on the content, format, and process. Based on evaluation of the assessment responses and feedback received from these state agencies, recommendations are made for improving the tool and for future applications. The main contribution of this research is a methodology for transportation agencies to develop or refine their organizational frameworks to be more oriented toward sustainability, which could lead to transportation infrastructure investments that can be better maintained and operated over their service life, reduce environmental impacts and fossil fuel dependence, promote economic development, and meet the needs of growing and changing populations more effectively.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (M.E.S.)--The Evergreen State College, 2009. / Title from title screen (viewed 2/25/2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 102-107).

The purpose of this study is to analyze the interim standards and determine whether or not they provide enough of a design base to produce a site plan which satisfies the City’s TOD principles. These guidelines and standards express vital elements and characteristics which the city desires to implement within their TOD districts. By developing a site plan for a specified TOD using only the given interim standards of development I will be able to examine their strengths and weakness and determine whether or not the goals of the City guidelines were met. / text

Congestion is one of the most pressing urban issues Texans face today — it imposes steep social and economic costs on citizens and businesses and shows no sign of subsiding without substantial intervention. This thesis will argue that in the current environment of austerity and sharp political tension, it is of critical importance to implement low cost, politically amicable strategies to manage congestion. Flexible work arrangements like telework and flextime have been developed in the private sector as a cost-saving measure and as a reward for exceptional employees. When workers adopt a non-traditional schedule, the transportation network benefits as vehicles are removed or shifted from the peak period. Despite being widely available, non-traditional work arrangements are little used by employers and employees since both parties are uncertain if the new arrangement will benefit their career path and job security. Recently, public agencies and executives have launched programs and passed mandates that force or greatly incentivize employers to adopt flexible work arrangements. The case studies examined in this thesis show that modern programs can provide cheap, temporary congestion relief for urban areas while substantially benefitting the businesses and agencies who adopt them. / text

published_or_final_version / abstract / Civil Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Urban Studies / Master / Master of Social Sciences

Automobile dependence is defined as a series of convergent land use and transportation conditions in a city that leave people with few non-car options for urban travel. This dependence is compromising the environmental, social and economic health of cities in Canada. Furthermore, it appears as though automobile dependence is increasing in Canada, as are its attendant impacts. A fuller understanding of the primary relationships affecting this trend is needed if its impacts are to be adequately mitigated. However, there is little quantitative knowledge of the relative importance of factors contributing to automobile dependence in Canadian cities. A review of the literature identifies a multitude of mutually reinforcing factors that contribute to the creation of automobile dependent cities. The factors are both cause and effect and exhibit 'feedback,' which results in a cycle of intensification of the original condition. While there are many feedback relationships that contribute to automobile dependence, some may be stronger than others. Mitigating the many adverse impacts of automobile dependence requires reducing the need for both automobile ownership and automobile use by reversing these feedback relationships. This thesis identifies the relative importance of factors influencing automobile dependence in Canada's major cities through a comparative analysis of transportation, land use and population and employment distribution trends and patterns. This involves the collection and analysis of an extensive set of data from Canada's seven largest cities (Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa-Hull and Montreal). To provide context and supplementary information, selected data from thirty-four additional global cities are also used. A correlation analysis of the data collected identifies the strength of correlation between factors involved in automobile dependence feedback. The data reveal commonalities between cities: those cities with higher urban densities, higher transit service provision and lower automobile infrastructure provision exhibit lower levels of car ownership and use as well as higher levels of transit use. These cities also have better utilized transit systems, have higher walking and cycling mode shares and consume less fuel. The quantitative findings are used in tandem with the qualitative findings of the literature review to identify and rank eight possible points for policy intervention in changing auto dependence feedback. Of the factors examined, metropolitan and outer area density, transit supply and CBD parking supply appear to exert the strongest relative influence on auto dependence. These are followed in importance by inner area density and car ownership, which are followed by road supply and non-motorized transport share. While the auto dependence factors ranked require further study, clarification and confirmation, they provide a preliminary basis for directing policy analysis. A policy evaluation framework is developed that enables policies prescribed in each intervention area to be assessed against a series of travel, environmental, social and economic impact criteria as well as their implementation potential. This framework can be used by policymakers to identify high leverage policies for reducing auto dependence.