Paul Lewis of the Eno Center gives his forecast of how next year will play out. Prospects for new technologies are good, but come with caveats.
The Eno Center for Transportation's Paul Lewis weighs in with three predictions for 2018. As is usually the case, the frustrating accompanies the exciting.
For one thing, Lewis writes, "2018 will be a landmark year for electric vehicles. Automakers and analysts alike are predicting strong sales growth, which boosters say will help tackle climate change. Analysts predict that electric vehicle sales in the United States will be around 250,000 to 300,000 in 2018 – a new record, and an impressive increase from just a few years ago."
But at the same time, "Americans are buying SUVs and light-duty trucks at a much higher rate." Gas remains cheap, and charging stations are far from ubiquitous.
In a similar vein, Lewis predicts that automated vehicle developers will push back their heady timelines. "Automakers are finding it more difficult to design the system than they originally expected. Instead of putting a product on the road that is unsafe, they are responsibly taking the time they need to make sure the system is ready for the public."
As for transit, the picture isn't great. Ridership is down, and Lewis thinks that'll continue. However, ">Public transit is and will continue to be a vital part of how Americans get around, especially in its largest cities. Transit ridership is still a third higher than it was in the mid 1990s. But the decline in ridership must force agencies to rethink their services and innovate."
FULL STORY: 3 Transportation Predictions for 2018
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
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.
Colorado Bill Would Tie Transportation Funding to TOD
The proposed law would require cities to meet certain housing targets near transit or risk losing access to a key state highway fund.
Dallas Surburb Bans New Airbnbs
Plano’s city council banned all new permits for short-term rentals as concerns about their impacts on housing costs grow.
Divvy Introduces E-Bike Charging Docks
New, circular docks let e-bikes charge at stations, eliminating the need for frequent battery swaps.
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.