To celebrate an important victory a winning team sometimes parades around the arena with their coach on their shoulders as the fans cheer in adulation. Planners sometimes deserve similar treatment! For example, regardless of who wins the 2010 FIFA World Cup to be held in South Africa June and July 2010, the real victor will be residents of the four cities where matches will be held, who gain an efficient new public transportation system as a long-term legacy. Everybody wins!
Transportation
Sneak Peek of LA's Gold Line Extension
On their official blog, Metro gives a preview of the new rail extension which will extend the line to East L.A. Steve Hymon and Fred Dennstedt share their notes.
The Source (Metro's blog)
Factory to Campus Bike-Share
Volunteers set out to bike from the factory to Princeton University, where an employee bike-share program will begin in November.
The New York Times
Guns on Trains Could Derail Amtrak
The Senate transportation spending bill, signed last week, contains a provision requiring Amtrak to allow guns on its trains or lose its funding.
The Hill
Roundabout Saves the Day in Wanker's Corner
A roundabout replaced a flashing red light that was causing traffic jams at an intersection in Wanker's Corner, Oregon. Locals are calling it a miracle.
The Oregonian
'Science City' Plans Could Boost Light Rail
Plans to build a group of villages near science and biotech office parks in Maryland could help the area secure federal light rail funding.
The Washington Post
China's Rail Revolution
Extensive investments in rail are slashing travel times in China, and creating a vastly more connected and accessible country.
Newsweek
The Age of Tolls
Robert McCartney reports on the coming onslaught of toll roads in the D.C. area, and the possibility of a 'vehicle miles traveled' option in the future.
The Washington Post
Penalosa Decries Nairobi's Vision of the Future
Nairobi planners are promoting a new vision of the African nation criss-crossed with superhighways. Enrique Penalosa visited Nairobi last week to try to persuade them to reverse course.
Daily Nation
High Speed Rail: It's About Place
So says William Schroeer the State Policy Director at Smart Growth America, speaking at the High Speed Rail Conference in D.C. last weekend.
ASLA's The Dirt blog
New York City DOT Unveils New Targets for Bike Commuting
An updated version of the agency's strategic plan aims to double bicycle modeshare by 2012 compared to 2007 levels.
Streetsblog
Vetoed State Bike Safety Law Passes in Austin
The Austin City Council has approved a bill that requires motorists to keep a three-foot distance from bicyclists on the road. The same bill was vetoed by Texas Governor Rick Perry four months ago.
The Houston Chronicle
The Challenge of Dividing High Speed Rail Funds
The federal government has dedicated $8 billion to high speed rail projects. But with $50 billion worth of proposals, the challenge lies in how best to divide the funds.
The New York Times
Discounts for Off-Peak Riders?
NY MTA Head Jay Walder is considering lowering fares for off-peak hours riders in order to encourage people to change their habits.
Streetsblog
Dude, Where's My Metrorail?
Citing prohibitive costs and the use of light rail or bus rapid transit, the expansion of Miami's Metrorail has not been included in Miami-Dade County's 10-year transportation plan. Yet, County officials suggest expansion is still a priority.
Miami Today
Ocean International Airport
With one of the smallest and busiest airports in the country, San Diego is thinking about upgrading its facilities. One idea is to build a new airport on the ocean.
The Infrastructurist
BRT Takes Babysteps in South Africa
This post from The City Fix discusses the new bus rapid transit system that just opened in Johannesburg, South Africa, and why the system was sorely needed.
The City Fix
Miami Adopts Largest Known Form-Based Code
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 19:45
After four years of political wrangling, hundreds of public and internal meetings, several revisions, and one determined planning department, consultant team, and Mayor, the City of Miami made urban planning history tonight by adopting the largest known application of a form-based code. In doing so, Miami has catapulted itself to the forefront of those large American cities serious about implementing smart growth.
More Americans Living Car-Free
The New York Times Automobiles Section discusses the growing population of Americans living car-free.
The New York Times
