If built, regional high-speed rail networks could provide an alternative to uncomfortable air travel and prevent travelers from becoming stranded at airports during extreme weather.

A high-speed rail network could be the solution to the vast disruptions in travel caused by canceled flights and poor weather every year, argues Owen Pickford. A proposal from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) shows what a hub-and-spoke Midwest rail network could look like. According to Pickford, "Much of it is not really a high-speed rail network, more like 'higher' speed. Only on 'Core Express' corridors will train speeds exceed 125 mph, while the 'Regional' sections will be in the 90 mph to 125 mph range under the FRA plan." Late last year, Amtrak's St. Louis-to-Chicago trains started reaching top speeds of 90 miles per hour, with an ultimate goal of traveling at 110 miles per hour.
True high-speed rail, Pickford argues, would make trips across the Midwest faster and more climate-friendly while reducing operating costs and bringing economic benefits to cities without adequate air service. Meanwhile, in the Pacific Northwest, the proposed Cascadia Rail system would have provided an alternate transportation option for travelers from Sea-Tac Airport during recent winter storms. Comprehensive rail systems could also put pressure on airlines and reduce their lobbying power, forcing them to provide better service.
FULL STORY: High Speed Rail Is a Solution for Terrible Airlines

New York Governor Advances Housing Plan Amid Stiff Suburban Opposition
Governor Kathy Hochul’s ambitious proposal to create more housing has once again run into a brick wall of opposition in New York’s enormous suburbs, especially on Long Island. This year, however, the wall may have some cracks.

Rethinking the Role of Parking in the American City
In cities big and small, the tide is turning against sprawling parking lots, car-centric development, and minimum parking mandates.

Friday Eye Candy: 20 AI-Generated Cityscapes
AI-generated images are creating new landscapes and cityscapes, capable of inspiring awe or fear.

Biden Designates a New National Monument in West Texas
The Castner Range National Monument in West Texas is the second of two new national monuments announced by President Joe Biden this week.

Study: Autonomous Cars Won’t Solve the Parking Problem
In hyper-dense cities where incentives to reduce car use and eliminate parking are already high, mass adoption of AVs won’t significantly reduce parking demand.

Proposed Pool Would Make an Olympic-Sized Play Area in the San Francisco Bay
The San Francisco Bay is usually an undesirable place to swim, except for a hearty few. A development proposal seeking assistance at the state level would add a pool to the Bay’s waters to make the idea of going for a swim more appealing.
Princeton Planning
City of College Park
Houston-Galveston Area Council
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Spearfish
City of Lomita
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.