In a certain part of downtown Tampa, Florida, people have been complaining for years about car alarms randomly going off, or not working at all. It turns out that a local radio station's signal interference is the cause.
"Within a concentrated area of downtown's core - mainly from Franklin Street to Ashley Drive and from Polk to Twiggs streets - people have been noticing that their car alarms either can't be activated, or can't be deactivated, sometimes disabling their engines. Downtown guides, police and tow truck drivers often must help push the cars out of the strange zone. Sometimes, the alarms set themselves off, sending shrill chirps into the air."
"After the St. Petersburg Times began looking into the phenomenon in April, the Federal Communication Commission also investigated. The Times recently obtained the results."
"According to the FCC, one of the radio antennas on top of the Colonial Bank building at 400 Tampa St. broadcasts oldies station WRBQ-FM 104.7. It uses a radio frequency that emits a harmonic, which is a byproduct of the main radio signal that occurs at a higher frequency. That harmonic might match the frequency that some car alarms use. The FCC's measurements concluded that the harmonic falls below the FCC's limits for frequencies, so the station isn't violating any rules."
FULL STORY: An area in downtown Tampa makes some car systems go haywire
Popular Tampa Bus Route Going Fare-Free
The initiative, which starts on January 5, is funded by parking fees.
Tampa Road Safety Efforts Pay Off
The city’s Vision Zero initiative, bolstered by federal Safe Streets funds, has led to a significant drop in traffic deaths.
Tampa Awarded Federal Transit Planning Grant
The city will use the money to open a new office aimed at guiding major transit projects in the region.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.
Op-Ed: Why Mobility Is Political
The freedom to move remains unevenly distributed between people of different backgrounds.
Bringing Community Voices Into Renewable Energy Planning
The MIT Renewable Energy Clinic helps coastal communities navigate the complexities of offshore wind development through neutral, inclusive engagement that surfaces local concerns and supports fair decision-making.
Creating Ocean-Safe Plastic from Seashells
USC researchers have created a biodegradable, marine-safe plastic alternative using calcium carbonate from seashells, offering a promising solution to ocean pollution.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions