Updating the U.S.'s aging infrastructure requires legislative common sense, says Rep. Bill Shuster.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce supports a federal gas tax increase to pay for roads, bridges and mass transit. An alternative would be to charge drivers user fees, which would be lower than the gas tax, to avoid penalizing idling during congestions and incentivise better planning.
According to studies by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the United States needs to make a $2.7 trillion investment in transportation infrastructure by the year 2020 to maintain its global competitive edge.
Ashley Halsey III reports on the conlusions of a panel representing business, union and state government interests that appeared before the Republican-led House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The group unanimously agreed that the problem of aging infrastructure should not be left up to individual municipalities, counties or states.
The committee's Chair Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa) called for using common sense in the upcoming legislative sessions, which will oversee surface transportation, ports and inland waterways and railroads bills with the first set to expire in 2014.
FULL STORY: At hearing on nation’s crumbling infrastructure, money is the theme
Engineers Gave America's Roads an Almost Failing Grade — Why Aren't We Fixing Them?
With over a trillion dollars spent on roads that are still falling apart, advocates propose a new “fix it first” framework.
Minnesota Dam Failure Highlights Nationwide Danger
The Rapidan Dam isn’t the only one at risk of imminent failure.
Peter De Fazio, Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, to Retire
The end of an era for Oregon in Congress.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA
The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.
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.
Texas Safety Advocates Raise Alarm in Advance of Tesla Robotaxi Launch
The company plans to deploy self-driving taxis in Austin with no oversight from state or local transportation agencies.
How to Fund SF’s Muni Without Cutting Service
Three solutions for bridging the San Francisco transit agency’s budget gap without reducing service for transit-dependent riders.
Austin Tests Self-Driving Bus
Autonomous buses could improve bus yard operations for electric fleets, according to CapMetro.
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)