A two year study of the new carpool lanes reveals average violation rates, slower speeds
As part of the construction before the 2002 Olympics, I-15 in the Salt Lake Valley was widened from two lanes in each direction to four lanes plus a carpool lane in each direction. A two year study recently showed that carpool violation rates were between 5 and 13 percent, roughly the national average. However, one in five cars using the special carpool ramp two blocks closer to downtown held only one passenger. Drivers using the carpool lanes can reach noticeably higher speeds, but do not. Whether out of sympathy for slower traffic or to give sufficient room for braking and merging traffic, drivers in HOV lanes drive at an average speed of 53mph, instead of a possible 70mph.
Thanks to Peter Christensen
Read the full story: HOV lanes mostly respected, but not special ramp
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.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Democrats’ victory may threaten act to expedite energy projects
Democrats may decide to vote against the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, and negotiate a more favorable bill once the 120th Congress begins.
Voters choose public transit, approve $31 billion in funding
Approved projects include $101,000 for reduced-cost transit in a Michigan town and $14 billion for regional transit in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Study reveals best places in the U.S. for cycling, walking
New research from Streetlight Data examines bicycle and pedestrian miles per capita in the 100 largest U.S. cities by population.
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
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority