At the Shared Use Mobility Summit in Chicago, Jarrett Walker cautioned the tech world to keep four key transportation problems in mind.

Jeff McMahon sums up transit expert Jarrett Walker's comments at the National Shared Mobility Summit held in March. "Walker argued that technology can solve some problems, but not the same problem that public transit solves."
McMahon references a memorable Twitter spat between Walker and Elon Musk in which the Tesla founder criticized typical modes of transit and insulted Walker directly. At the summit, Walker called attention to "four separate problems of urban transportation which have four separate kinds of solutions," further arguing that "it is very important to not mistake the solution for one problem for the solution for a different problem."
The list includes 1) communications and real time information, for which digital tech has proven useful; 2) emissions and energy efficiency; 3) labor and safety; and 4) the amount of urban space different modes take up.
Walker argued that "The fixed-route bus or train is the vehicle of the future [...] because it remains the most efficient way to move large numbers of people through the congested space of a city."
FULL STORY: The Four Problems Of Urban Transportation And The Four Separate Solutions

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?

Pedestrian Deaths Drop, Remain Twice as High as in 2009
Fatalities declined by 4 percent in 2024, but the U.S. is still nowhere close to ‘Vision Zero.’

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie