The Metropolitan Transportation Commission—the Bay Area's regional transportation planning agency—recently did fans of data and mapping a huge favor and launched a website called Vital Signs.
"Data lovers can now nerd out on a new website that collects Bay Area transportation data and puts it into customizable maps and charts that anyone can play with," reports Melanie Curry.
The website, called Vital Signs, is part of an open data project by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), and could inform measurements if/when the beleaguered Plan Bay Area effort begins to shape the region.
"The first rollout of the website includes transportation data from a variety of sources, including the US Census. Land use data will be added in March. Information and measures of the economy–job creation, employment, and housing affordability–and environment—emissions, fuel sales, injuries from collisions–will complete the website by June," according to Curry's sources with the MTC.
Curry goes on to detail some of the uses of the portal, including comparisons between San Francisco and Los Angeles on measures of annual and daily transit ridership.
Members of the mainstream have already picked up on the tools available through Vital Signs, including Gary Richards for the Contra Costa Times and Ann Notarangelo for CBS SF Bay Area.
FULL STORY: New Data Website Tracks Bay Area Vital Signs
Presenting Municipal Data in an Interactive Map, Nashville Style
The city of Nashville launched the NashView interactive data map earlier this month.
DataUSA: An Intuitive Tool for Public Data
A collaboration between Deloitte, Datawheel, and MIT has produced an intuitive aesthetically-pleasing gathering point for public data in the United States. Specific locations and industries boast easy-to-read profiles.
Putting Alternative Fuel Stations on the Map
Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Energy released an interactive map displaying thousands of alternative fuel stations around the nation.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness
A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.
USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service