Much of the United States went through a cold snap in recent days. How many of you transit commuters sought refuge under heat lamps this week?
Dawn Rhodes shares a little scientific insight into how the "orange-ish glow" of infared heat lamps actually warm commuters: " The infrared light, though not as luminous as an incandescent bulb at home, still creates loads of energy that can warm a commuter — just not the way you might have expected."
The surprise is just how the warming process works. Rhodes quotes Brian Cannon, assistant professor of physics at Loyola University Chicago to explain: "Our skin tissue is primarily water….Water molecules on our skin are able to absorb that light, which makes them move faster. That increased motion is what heat is."
Rhodes goes on to explain a bit more about how the heat lamps work as well as details about the operation of heating facilities around Chicago.
Read the full story: Do those CTA heat lamps really make you feel warmer?
Chicago Transit Increasing Rail Service to Pre-Pandemic Levels
The Chicago Transit Authority is close to returning both rail and bus service to pre-pandemic schedules, with some adjustments for new travel demand.
Chicago Announces First Five ‘Better Streets for Buses’ Corridors
The CTA will develop a series of options for improving bus service on key transit corridors.
Study: Loss of Public Transit in Chicago Would Have ‘Severe’ Mobility, Economic Consequences
The first-of-it’s kind study found that without public transit, Chicago would lose an estimated $35 billion in economic activity annually and the quality of life of residents, particularly women and low-income groups, would take a major hit.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet
Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.
Brightline Florida files for bankruptcy
The transit company is over $5 billion in debt.
St. Louis Metro to test if single-car trains can reduce operating costs, maintain rider satisfaction
The pilot program will run from October to spring 2027, and begin with one single-car train operating on Metrolink’s Red and Blue lines.
Pennsylvania is building data centers in abandoned mines
Housing data centers in mines provides an alternative to destroying local forests and may spare residents from data centers’ noise and air pollution.
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 Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello