Congestion and gas prices are creating a boom for light rail and buses across the nation. Cities are using technology and imaginative enticements to counter Americans' reluctance to abandon their cars.
"Light railâ€"small passenger trains that, unlike underground trains or commuter railways, often use an overhead electricity source and may operate in the streetsâ€"is suddenly booming across America. Charlotte, Phoenix, and Oceanside, California, are building light-rail lines from scratch. Denver, Dallas, St Louis and many others are racing to extend existing systems, sometimes along old railway tracks. Dozens more cities, from Albuquerque to Atlanta to Louisville, are mulling light rail over. Downtown streetcars are also making a comeback, in Portland and elsewhere."
"Buses have seen some astonishing growth, especially in smaller cities...Many systems are running their buses on natural gas or cooking oil, to save money and draw in green riders...One forthcoming convenience is wireless internet access...technology may change the whole boarding process..."
Thanks to Michael
FULL STORY: All Aboard!
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
San Diego Votes to Rein in “Towering” ADUs
City council voted to limit the number of units in accessory buildings to six — after confronting backyard developments of up to 100 units behind a single family home.
Texas Legislature’s Surprising Pro-Housing Swing
Smaller homes on smaller lots, office to apartment conversions, and 40% less say for NIMBYs, vote state lawmakers.
Even Edmonton Wants Single Staircase Buildings
Canada's second most affordable major city joins those angling to nix the requirement for two staircases in multi-family buildings.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
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City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)