Transportation

Behind the Popularity of Transportation Tax Increases
Transportation ballot measures are popular this November: over 70 populate ballots across the country. In California and elsewhere, they supplement declining federal and state funds for local infrastructure.

50 Steps to Taking the Carbon Emissions Out of Transportation
The new "50 Steps Toward Carbon-Free Transportation" report examines the gulf between the reality of the U.S. transportation system and the innovations that will be necessary to achieve a carbon-free future.

DART Board Splits with Dallas Council on Subway Priority
The DART Board decided to move forward with a financial plan that funds both the Cotton Belt light rail line and the D2 subway.

The Critical Role of Down-Ballot Races in State Transportation Funding
The overwhelming majority of states that increased gas taxes last year were Republican-controlled. In states where the legislature is split, it's more difficult to approve transportation funding legislation. Down-ballot races may prove decisive.

Why San Diego's Proposed Transportation Sales Tax Is Opposed by a Diverse Coalition
Many cities and counties across the state are proposing transportation sales tax increases, but only San Diego's is opposed by a diverse coalition of environmental and labor groups. Murtaza Baxamusa explains why.
A Transportation Benefit District That Also Benefits the Police Department
The city of Woodland, Washington, offers a case study in government funding. Voters there will consider a sales tax as part of its transportation benefit district, but the benefit could extend to the police department as well.

Electric Car Charging Stations Coming to All New European Homes
An EU irective calls for charging stations in all new European homes.

Traffic Safety Solution: Design, Not Enforcement
Alon Levy argues that the best path to traffic safety is through design rather than traffic law enforcement.
Pittsburgh to Oakland BRT Connection Taking Shape
Details are emerging about the how and where of a proposed a bus rapid transit (BRT) connection between Downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland.

Good Political News for California High-Speed Rail
One of the major critics of the $64 billion project that would link Los Angeles and San Francisco just became a supporter, and that's really good news considering the project's major booster, Gov. Jerry Brown, will be leaving office in two years.

Akron Considering the End of Parking Minimums as a Downtown Development Incentive
The Akron City Council will this week decide on legislation that could at it to the roster of cities that have reformed parking requirements.

Lessons in Transit Fares from Toronto's UP Express
Faced with the underwhelming performance of the newly opened UP Express, Toronto transit officials did something drastic: they slashed the cost of a ride.
Bay Area Bike Share Renamed for New Sponsor: An Auto Company
The new, Detroit-based sponsor will help pay for a ten-fold expansion of the Bay Area's regional bike share program coming this spring and a new Palo Alto program. Low income residents will be offered discounted rates to join Bay Area Bike Share.

Tesla Makes a Self-Driving Splash
Tesla showed off new self-driving technology this week.
Train-sploitation
An interview with a photographer about his unflattering pictures of train riders in Tokyo's crowded subway.
Autonomous Car Mobility Services a $120 Billion Business by 2025
"American households will no longer aspire to own two cars in every garage, but instead will have mobility apps on every phone, to hail self-driving vehicles that they will share rather than own." Jeffrey D. Sachs, Columbia University

Comparing the Cost Price of Parking in 50 U.S. Cities
The first comprehensive comparison of inter-city differences in parking prices shows huge variations in the price of parking in cities around the United States.

ParkDC to Bring Dynamic Pricing to Chinatown Parking Spaces
The District Department of Transportation is expanding its experiments with dynamic parking prices.

Moving from Moving Cars to Moving People
After a three quarters of a century of building to accommodate cars and not people, it's going to take big changes to get the transit system the United States needs, argues a Next City editorial.

Arlington County Allows New Street Variations to Prioritize Multi-Modalism
The Virginia county of Arlington has written into law the ability to create shared streets as well as streets that prioritize pedestrians.
Pagination
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont