ITS Monday: Edition 18, 2020

Bus Transport: Demand, Economics, Contracting, and Policy

A new book, from friend of iMOVE, Professor David Hensher, written for transport regulators, planners, operators, researchers and educators. Get a synopsis of the book, or place your order, via the link above/below.

The real reason our shelves were empty

This has been quite the thing to ponder over the last six weeks or so. Margaret Simons in this The Saturday Paper article posits that weaknesses in our supply chain(s) have been known about since 2012, and goes on to investigate the reasons for our recent shelf shortages.

Cycling spikes on Brisbane bikeways during pandemic

Now begins our tour of COVID-19-related stories from along the east coast of Australia. First Brisbane, and a tales that taking place right around the world just now, a surge in people taking up cycling. And again like other places in the world Brisbane is wondering if it can help to maintain this mode shift post-pandemic.

Sydney commuters starting to tap back on amid COVID-19 lockdown

Moving south, to Sydney. Slowly but surely, Sydneysiders are making their way back on to public transport to the tune of just over 20%, and with an increase of getting back into their cars and on to the road network of just over 10%. It’s a trend the NSW Government is watching closely.

Car parks out, footpaths and cycling lanes in as city prepares for post-COVID commuters

Completing our sweep down the east coast, is this first of two articles about Victoria and COVID-19 transport matters. The Melbourne city centre is looking to remove car parking spots to make way for more footpath space, along with building 12 kilometres of pop-up cycling lanes will be built. Further, the City of Melbourne is hoping that such changes although built to help the expected increase in foot traffic in the city as pandemic restrictions are eased, that post-pandemic people will maintain mode shift, and these footpath and cycling lane changes will be permanent.

What impact has the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic had on road traffic volumes in Victoria?

The second Victorian story, this with a data-based look at the changes wrought by the lockdown upon the entire state, by day of the week, time of day, and/or distance from the city centre.

UITP outlines next stages for public transport during COVID-19

‘The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) has addressed the European institutions on the progressive resumption of services and the survival of urban public transport and local mobility services, in an Open Letter sent in the lead-up to the next EU Council meeting.’

Scooter-sharing expected to bounce back from COVID-19 crisis

A report looking at the takeup of scooters worldwide. While the pandemic has put a hit on 2020, and will continue to see a tough year for scooter usage right through to the end of the year, optimism remains high for the run up to 2024.

Volvo to offer autonomous highway capability in 2022

‘Volvo has been testing autonomous vehicle systems for nearly a decade, plans to begin offering the technology for select highway applications in 2022, available as an over-the-air software upgrade.’

What have we learnt about automated vehicle trials in Australia?

A short history of how testing of autonomous vehicles has been carried out to date, along with an invitation to contribute to NTC’s broader consultation on the guidelines for testing going forward.