Research Presentations
How the built environment influences transit riders’ mode of access Victoria proposed, organized and kicked off this panel discussion, which explored how communities can use public transit and transit-oriented development to build healthy communities. Her presentation focused on how the built environment in the vicinity of, adjacent to and within stops and stations, and public transit itself, can influence the way passengers travel to buses and rail. Breaking a Planning Taboo: CEQA review without automobile LOS analysis (see second item)2007 CCAPA CONFERENCE The practice of evaluating and mitigating congestion impacts to motorists under CEQA is riddled with significant perverse consequences for sustainable transportation and land use planning. For the 2007 annual conference of the California chapter of APA, Niko organized and participated in a panel discussion to explore these consequences and examine pioneering efforts by the cities of San Francisco and San José to reform their CEQA analyses of congestion impacts. Measuring Up: Four key transportation reforms for improved livability (see first item)2007 CCAPA CONFERENCE Car-centric level-of-service standards are “policy fossils” that hinder plans for infill development and the creation of safer, more pleasing streets. Niko was part of a panel at the 2007 annual conference of the California chapter of APA that examined such outdated policies and discussed tools to help communities plan for better transportation outcomes, with a focus on multi-modal performance and impact standards. Pedestrian planning beyond the local level (see third item) Victoria conceived of, organized and participated in this panel discussion. Her presentation focused on the distinction between planning for pedestrians and cyclists at the countywide or regional level; how public transit service and station area design influence walk rates; attracting participants in non-local pedestrian planning processes; and components of plans that emanate from these processes. Learning from San Francisco: Successes and lessons learned (see second item from the bottom)WALK/BIKE CALIFORNIA 2007 CONFERENCE In the 1990s, Niko was the founding board president of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, one of the nation’s most influential bicycle advocacy organizations. This presentation, given with SFBC Executive Director Leah Shahum, examined how bike advocates have transformed the streets of San Francisco—for the better—over the past 15 years. Why Are Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Important?MAY 2007 MEETING OF ITE, DISTRICT 6 Niko gave a slide presentation on best practices in pedestrian planning at the May 2007 meeting of ITE’s San Francisco Bay Area section. Niko’s findings were based on research he conducted as part of Eisen|Letunic’s work on the San Francisco Pedestrian Master Plan. |