Anyone who's ridden the New York City subway will inevitably pick up on the odd social patterns that develop in the slim tube hurtling beneath the city. A new study identifies and quantifies those unique behaviors.
Matt Flegenheimer discusses the findings of a new study conducted by researchers of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. "A draft of their report [PDF], published on the Web site of the Transportation Research Board, drew on data collected over three weeks in late winter 2012."
The report includes a plethora of comical, yet fascinating, findings about seat selection, pole position, and gaze aversion. "The snapshots combine to sketch a transit landscape of convenience, game theory and occasional altruism, where often every movement is executed with purpose."
One interesting finding that "seemed to contradict much anecdotal evidence: in crowded trains, the data show, men were more likely to be standing than women, 'probably because New York’s gentlemen do live up to cultural expectations regarding giving up seats to ladies and children.'”
Read the full story: Collecting Data on the Habits of Passengers Underground
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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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.
Housing is the top priority of Seattle’s sole new councilmember
Jenks campaigned on building 1,000 new units of affordable housing.
New tax cuts may slash $1.5 billion in funding for Miami transit, public parks
Amendment 3 will save Miami-Dade homeowners $2,700 in 2028.
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The three states have spent years under Republican or divided control.
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City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority