The San Francisco Bay Area's BART rapid transit system is being remodeled, which requires new seats. Planners are getting riders to weigh in -- literally -- on seat comfort.
BART's designers infamously made the decision when the train was being built to have 2 sliding doors per car instead of 3, which slowed down loading and unloading considerably. Now BART staffers are working to remedy that, but a move to 3 doors will mean a narrower seat. Planners opened a "mobile seat lab" to solicit opinions on the change:
"Vince Cabrieto twisted his body into different positions, but he just couldn't find the right fit in the test seat for the BART train car of the future.
No matter what he did, he bumped shoulders or sides with the slender woman seated next to him.
"There's not enough elbow room," said Cabrieto, an Antioch man with a medium build. "I can't see sitting in this seat on my regular BART ride to Oakland.""
FULL STORY: BART to bring mobile seat lab to public
How California Transit Agencies are Addressing Rider Harassment
Safety and harassment are commonly cited reasons passengers, particularly women and girls, avoid public transit.
Bay Area Proposal Calls for Combined Transit Agencies
A local legislator is asking for a plan to consolidate the region’s 27 separate transit agencies to improve financial stability and streamline service for riders.
Post-Pandemic Travel Patterns Call for Different Transit Schedules
As remote work and changed commuting patterns endure, transit agencies are shifting their focus to serve a wider variety of riders.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.
