Tampa commuters sit in rush hour traffic for 45 hours a year, the equivalent of a 40-hour work week plus 5 hours overtime, or an extra week's vacation at the beach -- but Los Angeles is three times worse.
The Texas Transportation Institute annual study of 75 urban areas found that rush hours last longer and are more widespread. In 2000, the average urban motorist spent 62 hours, or 2 1/2 days, sitting in traffic, compared with 16 hours in 1982. The Institute analyzed data from the Federal Highway Administration and 10 state highway departments, but not everyone believes the study is accurate. The state of Washington has dropped its support for the study, saying that it does not reflect congestion-reducing improvements such as high occupancy vehicle lanes.
Thanks to Sheryl Stolzenberg
Read the full story: Rush Hour Making Commutes Even Longer
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
Nation's most wind-powered state turns to coal as data centers increase energy demand
For the first time in decades, Iowa has increased its generation of coal power.
NYC cools commuters with city's first rain garden above a bus stop
New York City officials say the plants in the rain garden can absorb 16 gallons of rainwater during heavy storms.
Brightline West’s future may rely on $6 billion federal loan
The company has until Nov. 2 to make a $400 million equity investment into its proposed high-speed rail line.
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.
Greater Baltimore Committee
Eagle County Government
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
Journal of the American Planning Association