The autonomous, four-person pods would travel on an enclosed track, but is it an effective model for public transit?
An autonomous car company wants to bring driverless, four-person ‘pods’ to the Bay Area, reports John Ramos for CBS News, a project that would require a 28-mile enclosed roadway with 56 access points. “And because the cars are only about five feet wide, the travel route is small enough to run alongside trails, railroad tracks and streets without removing any existing lanes.”
The service, built by Glydways, could provide a link to Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and other regional transit systems for communities that lack connections. “So where will the money coming [sic] from? Right now, that's unclear. But transit planners say it will be a partnership, combining state and federal funding with private investment.”
High-tech transportation projects like this have been criticized for distracting transportation agencies and lawmakers from the less flashy transit solutions — e.g. buses — that have been proven to work when funded effectively.
Read the full story: Autonomous car company Glydways to bring driverless public transit to East Contra Costa
Minnesota Uses Autonomous Shuttles To Improve Mobility
A pilot program will provide free rides to help rural and elderly residents reach more destinations.
Pennsylvania lawmaker wants to ban fully self-driving buses
State Rep. Ben Waxman's proposed bill would require autonomous buses to have a licensed driver on board.
West Memphis to launch new transit system
The city across the Mississippi River from Memphis, Tennessee will soon begin service on its own, on-demand transit system.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
Satanic Place Names
From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
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The Pocatello Development Authority