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.
FULL STORY: Do those CTA heat lamps really make you feel warmer?

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Half of Post-Fire Altadena Home Sales Were to Corporations
Large investors are quietly buying up dozens of properties in Altadena, California, where a devastating wildfire destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January.

Opinion: What San Francisco’s Proposed ‘Family Zoning’ Could Really Mean
Mayor Lurie is using ‘family zoning’ to encourage denser development and upzoning — but could the concept actually foster community and more human-scale public spaces?

Jacksonville Launches First Autonomous Transit Shuttle in US
A fleet of 14 fully autonomous vehicles will serve a 3.5-mile downtown Jacksonville route with 12 stops.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont