This article from the San Francisco Chronicle argues it's time for a national rail plan.
"Here are some of the hard truths about the future of rail service in the United States:"
"The basic idea has merit: Trains use less energy per passenger mile than jet airplanes, especially on shorter trips. Even a major switch wouldn't make a huge dent in national oil use or cut total energy consumption. But an improved rail system could cut use of oil substantially: Electrically driven trains can run on no-oil coal and nuclear power."
"Sadly, most of Amtrak's current system doesn't help cut either energy or oil use much. Amtrak was conceived, in a political process, as a 'nationwide passenger railroad network.' As implemented, that resulted in a series of daily or less-than-daily long-haul trains, traveling at less-than-highway (or less than 1948 rail) speeds, each carrying, at best, the equivalent of maybe two 737s full of people."
"Where Amtrak does do well is in the Northeast corridor. Its frequent and (relatively) high-speed trains between New York and Washington command a significant and growing share of the market."
"What these facts tell me is that a rational national rail policy should concentrate on high-speed service in corridors linking major cities fewer than 400 miles apart."
FULL STORY: All aboard for a rational national rail plan
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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.