A new study challenges the conventional wisdom regarding the superiority of light rail over bus rapid transit.

A new study published in Transport Reviews compares 86 transit systems around the world to reveal that an many cities around the world there is very little difference in the performance of light rail transit compared to bus rapid transit.
Darío Hidalgo writes an article sharing details of the new report, in effect challenging the perceived supremacy of light rail compared to bus rapid transit. According to Hidalgo's explanation of the study, researchers Jesper Ingvardson and Otto Nielsen from the Technical University of Denmark pulled date from 86 transit systems and compared several variables capturing both transit service and property development considerations—i.e., travel time savings, increase in demand from riders, modal shift, and land use and urban development changes.
After comparing some of the data revealed by the study for each of those variables, Hidalgo produces a potentially controversial conclusion: "BRTs can improve travel times, modal share and urban development at rates similar to those reported for light rail and metro."
FULL STORY: Are Trains Better Than Bus Rapid Transit Systems? A Look at the Evidence

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie