The "Goodwin Curve" of Acceptance

"There is even a curve that predicts this change in attitudes, according to Leo Murray, director of innovation at climate charity Possible. Named the "Goodwin curve" after the work of Philip Goodwin, emeritus professor of transport policy at University College London, the curve (or dip) charts how public support for road pricing schemes tend to begin well, with recognition of the need for intervention. That support then falls away as more specific details are released ahead of enforcement, only to rise again after implementation.

"We can't find a single example of a traffic-reduction measure that's been in place for more than two years that's then gone on to be removed because of a lack of public support," Murray notes, pointing to an Edinburgh study which showed initial opposition to speed limits shifting to support. He also cites Spain's reassuring message to Wales when the latter was considering introducing speed limit change.

"But the process of getting there is painful and always follows these curves," Murray adds. "So what is required is political courage and sensible scheduling. You don't want to be running for re-election at the start of the Goodwin curve."" - BBC

Space Used

Despite covering a shocking amount of our planet with farms (particularly for livestock and their feed), only around 1% of the planet's habitable space is covered with urban build up. This is expected to grow to an estimated 2% as our population continues to grow, but with rising property costs and the many other problems associated with expanding out, community planners understand the importance of keeping our communities condensed.

Valuable space is used up by privately owned vehicles that could better be utilized by walking, biking, bus or other forms of public transport. Parking shortages can cause conflict in cramped communities, and roadways split up lively communities, turning them into run down communities with higher crime rates. 

Making matters worse "Private cars sit parked 95% of the time. In fact, a single car usually occupies at least two parking spots: one at home, another at work. Because of this, contemporary cities have roads clogged with traffic, while premium spaces sit empty or occupied by a parked car." - MIT Senseable City Lab

Communities that take back their space from cars by implementing better public transportation, bike or car sharing programs, bike lanes, lower road speed limits, and closing off streets to motorized traffic find their communities income, safety, and other metrics for wellbeing start to increase.

Solutions

Congestion Pricing & Tolls

Tolls on congestion encourage lorries to go around city centers instead of through. They can also encourage drivers to use public transportation or active transit options. 

Tolls from drivers can be funneled into projects that improve or expand safe sidewalks and public transport systems, making alternatives better choices than driving, even as the number of added users increases. 

Many such projects have been underfunded for decades or more, so the added money is particularly important to communities struggling to implement walkable spaces, or make sure their public transport runs smoothly and frequently enough.

Free Public Transit Opportunities

Free public transit helps the people who most desperately need to be able travel, do so. This may mean injured people can get to a doctor's visit, a person with vision problems can safely get to their optician, children can go to after school activities, and college students or young parents can make it to their jobs or schools.

International

• List of Free Public Transport Routes - Wikipedia

North America

USA

• National Complete Streets Coalition News of complete streets activities from around the country and proposed federal legislation plus resources including fact sheets and a PowerPoint presentation.

• Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) is a national clearinghouse for information about health and safety, engineering, advocacy, education, enforcement, access, and mobility for pedestrians (including transit users) and bicyclists. PBIC's mission is to improve the quality of life in communities through the increase of safe walking and bicycling as a viable means of transportation and physical activity. To accomplish that mission, the PBIC manages several websites, produces a variety of reports, guides and case studies, and offers training and technical assistance.

• Walk Friendly Communities is a national recognition program developed to encourage towns and cities across the U.S. to establish or recommit to a high priority for supporting safer walking environments. Communities are recognized for working to improve a wide range of conditions related to walking, including safety, mobility, access and comfort.

New York

• Transportation Alternatives "We reclaim New York City from cars, transforming our streets into safe, sustainable & equitable places to walk, bike, take transit, gather & thrive."

Maps

North America

USA

• Walk Friendly Community Map "A Walk Friendly Community is a city or town that has shown a commitment to improving and sustaining walkability and pedestrian safety through comprehensive programs, plans, and policies. Communities apply to the program to receive recognition in the form of a Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum designation. [With this map] you can sort and view profiles for communities that have been designated since the program began in 2011."

Washington

• Explore the Walkability of DC Neighborhoods (Interactive) "Select a neighborhood to learn more about who lives in that community"

Grants & Funding

Asia

• Livable Cities: Financing Partnership Facility "The urban operations of ADB benefits from the support of notable trust funds, which are collectively referred to as the Urban Financing Partnership Facility. Under this umbrella, strategic, long-term, multi-partner investments on innovative urban solutions are implemented. These investments help to achieve the vision of livable cities." These include:

  • ASEAN Australia Smart Cities Trust Fund

  • Cities Development Initiative for Asia

  • Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund (UCCRTF) eligible countries include Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, and Vietnam.

  • Urban Environmental Infrastructure Fund (UEIF)

North America

USA

• The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) Program "provides $5 billion in grants to states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop and implement ambitious plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. Authorized under Section 60114 of the Inflation Reduction Act, this two-phase program provides $250 million for noncompetitive planning grants, and approximately $4.6 billion for competitive implementation grants."