In a study in Europe using cellphone GPS data, researchers discovered that people rarely leave a six-mile area around where they live. GPS cellphone data is being used for a host of urban planning studies like this.
The Planning Commissioners Journal looks at a handful of studies using cellphone GPS data, and discusses the merits (detailed travel information) and the drawbacks (personal privacy issues) of the technique.
"In Rome, they combined that information with GPS data from city public transportation to capture an ever-changing picture of the city's activity, from traffic jams to nightlife hotspots. The information, [MIT professor Carlo] Ratti says, 'could be useful to traffic planners, emergency planners and others.'"
FULL STORY: Tracking Cellphone Users Locations
Location Data Could Unlock a Less Car-Centric Future
A report from the Brookings Institution shows how planners can use new types of anonymized data to inform mobility planning decisions.
Israel to Track Coronavirus Using Cellphone Data
Data from millions of cellphone customers will be used to locate and alert individuals who may have come into contact with people carrying the virus.
A Public Transit App for Knoxville, Tennessee
Years after other cities implemented transit trackers, Knoxville is getting a bus tracker to help commuters move through the city.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)