The visions of a car-free utopia that might have seemed like a potential silver lining in March and April have given away to a tragic reality.

David Meyer reports that New York City has already this year surpassed its number of traffic fatalities from the previous year.
"The city has seen 222 people killed in car crashes as of Sept. 24, the Department of Transportation said — two more than the 220 people killed in all of last year." According to Meyer, that total hasn't even been updated with the latest tragedy.
Traffic safety advocates are using the grim milestone to call attention to the city's lack of effort on its Vision Zero program—a pledge to end traffic fatalities on the city's roads by 2024. "City Hall’s most recent budget — passed amid the city’s COVID-19 budget crisis — docked $18 million from bike lane and bus lane initiatives, which Harris said are key to safer streets," according to Meyer.
Americans have been driving less throughout the pandemic, but traffic fatalities haven't declined along with vehicles miles traveled, as reckless driving has been a much more common behavior on the emptier roads. There are also many first-time car buyers on the roads in new York City as riders stay away from public transit.
FULL STORY: NYC traffic deaths for 2020 already more than last year’s toll

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.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont