Comparing Active Transportation Comparing Active Transportation in China and Europein China and Europe

Shawn Turner, P.E.Texas Transportation Institute

O C b l SOTREC Livability SeminarPortland, OR ~ March 12, 2010

OverviewOverview

• Challenges• Challenges– Behavior and behavioral change

Economic development– Economic development– Chic and social acceptance

C l di th ht h• Concluding thoughts on change

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Behavioral Response: DenmarkBehavioral Response: Denmark

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Behavioral Response: ChinaBehavioral Response: China

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Behavioral Response: GermanyBehavioral Response: Germany

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Behavioral Response: ChinaBehavioral Response: China

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Behavioral Response: ChinaBehavioral Response: China

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Tipping PointTipping Point

• Is there a “tipping point” for behavior • Is there a tipping point for behavior change for motorists? For cyclists? For pedestrians?pedestrians?

• Is it related to numbers of users?I it l t d t t t i t?• Is it related to street environment?

• Is it related to culture/attitudes?• Most likely complex interaction of all• What can we do about it in US?? • What can we do about it in US??

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Economic Development - EuropeEconomic Development Europe

• Active transportation directly affects • Active transportation directly affects economic development

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Economic Development - ChinaEconomic Development China• Balanced transportation (auto-public

transport-active transp.) is important for economic development

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Economic Development - USEconomic Development US

• Where does the US fall?• Where does the US fall?• Auto mobility is necessary for economic

development?development?

• How does active transportation contribute to economic development in US??

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Chic – Denmark GermanyChic Denmark, Germany

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Chic – ChinaChic China

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Chic-ness: Vanity Appeal in US?

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Winterthur SwitzerlandWinterthur, Switzerland

Pedestrian Priority Zone inHistorical City Center, 2009

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(Source: Presentation by Stefan Gerber, City of Winterthur, Switzerland)

Winterthur, Switzerland1955 1970

20001980 20001980

16(Source: Presentation by Stefan Gerber,City of Winterthur, Switzerland)

Strøget Copenhagen 1960Strøget, Copenhagen, 1960

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Source: Gehl and Gemzøe, New City Spaces, 2000

Strøget Copenhagen 2000Strøget, Copenhagen, 2000

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Source: Gehl and Gemzøe, New City Spaces, 2000

Bern Switzerland 1960s/70sBern, Switzerland, 1960s/70s

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Source: http://www.parlament.ch

Bern Switzerland 2009Bern, Switzerland, 2009

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Chang’An Street BeijingChang An Street, Beijing

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Chang’An Street BeijingChang An Street, Beijing

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RecapRecap

• Challenges• Challenges– Tipping point for behavioral changes?

Effects on economic development?– Effects on economic development?– Chic-ness and social acceptance?

Ch• Change– Evolutionary– Revolutionary

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Questions or Comments?Questions or Comments?

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