A new online tool allows cities to measure progress in providing access to alternative forms of transportation.
Adele Peters shares news of a new report and online tool from the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy that measures how well cities connect residents to their jobs through public transit, walking, or biking.
The "Indicators for Sustainable Mobility," as the tool is called, "considered 12 different factors, including how close homes and jobs are to rapid transit, how many people have access to transit that runs frequently at rush hour, the size of city blocks, and how many people could get to work in a half an hour or an hour by walking, biking on protected bike lanes, or on public transit," according to Peters.
Peters uses the comparative power of the tool to compare the transit access successes of the city of Minneapolis, for instance, to cities with a lot more work to do, like Nashville and Indianapolis.
Andrew Small also picked up on the news of the new tool from the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, and focused on the lessons cities could apply when deciding how to improve access to alternative transportation.
"The key, the reports stresses, is getting a better balance between jobs, low-income households, and people in proximity to public transit," writes Small.
FULL STORY: Which cities make it easiest to commute without a car?
Op-Ed: Don't Reverse the Progress Made by 'Pandemic Streets'
In many cities, the public realm saw a drastic shift towards pedestrian-oriented infrastructure. The L.A. Times editorial board argues we should keep it that way.
Seattle Mayor Raises Transportation Levy by $100 Million
The proposal sent to City Council includes more funding for multimodal transportation and road safety.
Two Midtown Atlanta Complete Streets Projects to Break Ground in 2024
The projects include new bike lanes, expanded sidewalks, and other Complete Streets infrastructure.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)