The city is continuing its investment in safety and accessibility improvements for transit riders, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Writing for Houston Public Media, Adam Zuvanich outlines the city of Houston’s efforts to build better bike and pedestrian infrastructure and improve its public transit. The city has built 400 miles of bike lanes since passing its bike plan in 2017, and is expanding and improving its bus services and facilities. Zuvanich lists major projects in the works, including safety improvements on North Main Street and new bike lanes in Third Ward, among others.
While the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) continues to widen freeways in the region, there are many ongoing projects involving the city, Harris County, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) and Houston Parks Board that are expanding transportation options for residents in the interests of access and equity, safety, economic growth and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Improvements to Metro stations will include new and expanded crosswalks, accessibility ramps, and bus shelters. “As of last year, METRO also had improved about 2,500 of its 9,000 bus stops through its universal accessibility program, to make its services more accessible for Houstonians with disabilities.”
Gabe Cazares, executive director of LINK Houston, says he knows the changes won’t happen overnight. “That's why organizations like ours exist, to continue pushing every level of government to ensure they are protecting the interests of all people, not just vehicle owners.”
FULL STORY: How Houston will continue expanding transportation options in 2023
The Business Case for Multimodal Transportation Planning
Travel demands are changing and so should planning. There are good reasons for communities to spend less on automobile facilities and more on walking, bicycling, and public transit. Let’s examine why.
Caltrans Issues New Complete Streets Policy
A policy released by the California Department of Transportation in December will require Complete Streets elements in all state road projects.
Safe Streets Grants Announced
The federal Safe Streets and Roads for All program funds planning and implementation for road safety projects aimed at reducing traffic deaths and building safe infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users.
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.
A Serious Critique of Congestion Costs and Induced Vehicle Travel Impacts
Some highway advocates continue to claim that roadway expansions are justified to reduce traffic congestion. That's not what the research shows. It's time to stop obsessing over congestion and instead strive for efficient accessibility.
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.
Mapping Sidewalks for Improved Connectivity
A new tool uses aerial image recognition to map a city’s sidewalks and crosswalks. Its developers hope it will aid in creating a more comprehensive understanding of pedestrian networks and where improvements are needed.
Long Beach Residents Oppose Proposed Homeless Services Hub Near Rail Terminus
L.A. Metro’s “end-of-the-line” policy forces people experiencing homeless off transit every night at the same time and location. A proposed hub would provide services a few stops before the end of the line in Long Beach.
The Nation's Most Advanced Secessionist Movement
Legislation supporting the Greater Idaho Movement, which would annex over half of neighboring Oregon, has advanced in the Idaho legislature.
City of Greenville
City of Greenville
Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) AmeriCorps Program
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.
