Infrastructure
France to Require Green Roofs for Commercial Buildings
The French Parliament has approved legislation requiring commercial buildings to partially cover their rooftops in either plants or solar panels.
Bay Area Bike Share Poised to Grow from 700 to 7,000 Bikes
The regional system would expand to the the East Bay cities of Berkeley, Oakland and Emeryville. Bikes would be added in San Jose and San Francisco.
Pop Quiz: Can You Recognize Cities by Their Bike Lane Network?
Friday fun in the form of a mapping challenge from the Washington Post's Wonkblog.
Georgia to Increase Gas Tax Through Conversion to Excise Tax
Gov. Nathan Deal will sign legislation to increase gas taxes through a state sales tax conversion to an excise tax. With new weight-based truck fees, motel fees, and electric vehicle fees, it will add $1 billion in new transportation funding.
The 'Little Asphalt' Solution for Better Communities
Little Asphalt minimizes pavement in cities, towns, and suburbs so that real estate can be used for higher value purposes—such as buildings and people-centered activities.
California Drought Makes History: Mandatory Restrictions, Record Low Snowpack
A wet December was all California got—but it wasn't nearly enough to put a dent in the state's drought. The problem, in fact, got much worse over the winter season.
Obama Administration Drafts Transportation Bill; May 31 Deadline Looms
In all likelihood the $478 billion transportation bill proposed by the Obama Administration earlier this week is dead on arrival. But can the federal government get a long-term bill together by the May 31 deadline?

Florida Transportation Official Has Work Cut Out for Him
Florida would seem to be the ideal place for walking and biking. It's flat as can be. But the state developed very much with the car in mind. Billy Hattaway, at the Florida Dept. of Transportation, wants to change that.
Urbanism: Nothing to Fear
Scott Bernstein, president of the Center for Neighborhood Technology, talks planes, trains, and automobiles, in an urban industrial context.
Data, Communications, and the Future of Urban Mobility
Qualcomm and Arup recently published a report on their vision for the future of connected cities. We spoke to Chris Luebkeman, Arup Fellow and Global Director of Foresight, Research and Innovation, and Qualcomm's Kiva Allgood to learn more.

New York Will Phase Out C Train 'Brightliners' By 2017
Once the subway's pride, R-32 'Brightliner' trains that operate on the C line will soon disappear from service. Mid-century promo videos notwithstanding, the line's rolling stock was in dire need of an update.
Debating the Trinity Toll Road Proposal in Dallas
Dueling op-eds argue the controversial Trinity Toll Road proposal.

Op-Ed: Transportation Assets Should Generate Revenue
Scott Rawlins argues that public-private partnerships could help transportation departments turn assets into income streams. Underutilized land and data are two areas of interest.

Chicago Sources River Ideas from Citizens
The Metropolitan Planning Council of Chicago wants to get in on the recent upswing in crowdsourced planning solutions. They are looking to the public for input on the Chicago river system's future.
Top 5 Ways to Tell You're in 'Big Asphalt'
You are surrounded by parking lots and pavement so vast you can see the curvature of the Earth.
Cost of River Restoration Project Rising Quickly in Los Angeles
Questions are emerging about the funding equation for an ambitious $1 billion proposal to improve 11 miles of the Los Angeles River through some of the most urban parts of the city.
Texas Could End Renewable Energy Credit Program
Some state legislators in Texas are declaring "mission accomplished" and moving to freeze the state's Renewable Energy Credit program.
First Look at the New Dallas Streetcar
In a private preview in anticipation of the April 13 system opening, a lucky few got a first look at Dallas' new, battery-powered streetcar.
Long Range Transportation Plan Released for St. Louis Region
The Connected2045 plan lays out a 30-year vision for transportation projects in the St. Louis region, with attention paid to access, the environment, freight movement, alternative transportation, neighborhood preservation, and safety.
Second Gas Tax Increase Proposed in New Hampshire
New Hampshire gas taxes increased four cents last July after a lengthy gas tax debate, but those funds were targeted toward specific repair projects, as opposed to the DOT's annual budget, which will be cut by $88 million unless funds are found.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions