This type of development in turn necessitates investment in new, and more costly, infrastructure by municipalities. There are many factors that influence where development happens, including zoning by-laws, planning policies, and market factors that influence supply and demand. But development charges are a significant cost that can influence development location, timing and other decisions. As a result, more municipalities should consider better aligning the design of their development charges with growth management policies.

The main aspect of this report is the usage of high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes as a mitigation measure to highway congestion. The report, by Benjamin Dachis, conveys that changing carpool lanes into HOT lanes would improve reliability in travel time, increase highway capacity and could reduce congestion on un-tolled lanes.

Charging systems must be technically robust and accurate but experience elsewhere suggests they need not be excessively complex and hence expensive. Put simply, the theoretical needs to move at the same pace as the practical, while recognising circumstances change and systems will evolve. Motorists in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Stockholm, Norway, Singapore, Australia, and North America are familiar with the idea that they pay as they use certain roads and this report shows how they receive better service in return.

The City of Hamilton faces a number of serious challenges – air quality, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, sprawl, vacant properties downtown, and a heavy reliance on property taxes. Without changes in public policy and investment, Hamilton can expect these and other challenges to become more serious in the future. Fortunately, Hamilton is well positioned to make changes and there seems to be a willingness to think big about solutions. By doing so, Hamilton can fulfill its potential for a stronger and more diversified economy, as well as a greener and healthier city.

2011 Living City Report Card

The Living City® Report Card and its companion Scorecard delivers a unique analysis of the drivers that influence the GTA’s environmental performance, assesses where it is making progress, sets out short and long-term targets, and assigns grades by rating current environmental conditions against the long term targets. It goes on to identify opportunities for action by GTA leaders, organizations and residents.

It contains seventeen case studies from communities across Canada and abroad. These case studies detail best practice examples of policies that can be used to advance ICES in a community. The communities profiled vary in size from towns to capital cities, and policies range from ‘first-step’ actions to more ambitious and comprehensive emissions reductions measures. These case studies have been grouped with respect to six broad categories where ICES actions can be achieved: land use, transportation, buildings, infrastructure, waste, and water.

The International Technology Scanning Program released the "Reducing Congestion and Funding Transportation Using Road Pricing in Europe and Singapore" scan in December 2010, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation and in cooperation with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the National Cooperative Highway Research Program.

Abstract:

Like other cities, Toronto faces challenges and opportunities on multiple fronts.