The Obama administration has expressed interest in playing a bigger role in transportation and infrastructure policy in the U.S. National Journal asks its panel of experts if it's the right time for the White House to be more involved.
"Is now the time for a "serious, high-level policy discussion" on transportation, as Skinner and Mineta suggest? What do industry participants need to do to convince policymakers and the public that it's worth it to undertake such a task? What is the appropriate involvement of the administration in the talks?"
Responses so far have argued that the Obama administration needs to get more involved to help create jobs, and that it needs to stress the importance of transit today as much as previous administrations did for the interstate highway system.
FULL STORY: Obama: Infrastructure a Top Priority
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The Transportation Agenda of the Obama Administration
The election is behind us. A Democratic administration headed by President-elect Barack Obama and a heavily Democratic Congress will assume power next January. How will this influence the direction of federal surface transportation policy and programs? To gain some insight, we have solicited the views of a number of people, including some who are familiar with the thinking of President-elect Obama’s transition team. While the views expressed below are our own, they have been influenced by the observations and speculations expressed in these interviews. By common agreement, all conversations were held off the record and not for attribution in order to allow for the freest possible expression of views.
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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.
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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)