The world is changing, and some state departments of transportation are still stuck in the 20th century. New research provides guidance for DOTs looking to break old habits of car dependency and obsessions with level of service.

An article by Daniel C. Vock notes the increasing number of controversies surrounding the practices of state departments of transportation designing roads that cut through communities:
As urban areas have become more popular, so-called smart growth advocates who want walkable neighborhoods, vibrant shopping districts and safe passage for cyclists and pedestrians frequently criticize state DOTs -- which were originally called “highway departments” -- for allowing fast vehicle speeds to take precedence instead.
Vock's work here is to amplify the messaging of advocates at Smart Growth America, which recently published a series of blog posts sharing research to inform the reform of state DOT practices.
Vock lists the lessons from Smart Growth America's research as follows:
- Keep it simple.
- There Are Drawbacks to 'On Time, Under Budget.'
- You're Measuring Success Wrong.
- Community Relations -- and Who Handles Them -- Matter.
- Don’t Ignore Land Use.
- No, Really, Don’t Ignore Land Use.
- It’s Not Always the DOT’s Fault.
- Change Has to Be Intentional.
FULL STORY: 8 Ways to Improve State DOTs, According to Smart Growth Advocates

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

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

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico
An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes
Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels
Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions