Amtrak announced this week that they will train 8,000 employees across the nation on how to identify and report potential victims of human trafficking.
In collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation, Amtrak plans to join a strengthening initiative to curb human trafficking in the United States. While trafficking has not yet been detected aboard Amtrak trains, CEO Joseph Boardman says the goal of the new plan is prevention. Management throughout the agency will be trained via internet videos and, in turn, inform crew members about the importance of identifying and reporting suspicious situations.
DOT Secretary Ray LaHood supports the initiative, saying, "we cannot let the American transportation system be an enabler to these criminal acts. Raising awareness can save lives. Anytime someone travels by plane, train, bus or car they have a responsibility to keep an eye out for these activities."
Thanks to Jessica Brent
Read the full story: Amtrak Plan Targets Human Trafficking
Amtrak unveils proposal to restructure, split into 3 divisions
Agency officials say the new structure would offer more transparency and accountability.
California rail builders sign MOU advancing statewide high-speed network
The agreement aims to create an interconnected high-speed rail network and bring down the cost of construction.
Why are America's trains so slow?
A brief historical inquiry.
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.
Seattle passes record-breaking transit services expansion
Proposition 1 will double the city’s transit tax to add 95,000 more bus trips and preserve 180,000 bus trips annually.
Post election, Texas is no longer Musk’s 'AI oasis'
Elon Musk dolled out $446 million on the 2026 midterms, the most ever spent by a non-canidate.
Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners
Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents
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
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority