Scott Rawlins argues that public-private partnerships could help transportation departments turn assets into income streams. Underutilized land and data are two areas of interest.

According to this article by Scott Rawlins, transportation departments should consider unorthodox ways to make money from what they own. In the quest for value extraction, "Leaders of state and regional transportation departments seeking efficiencies should start by taking a broader view of what their agencies own."
Rawlins makes the case for public-private partnerships to generate revenue from substantial and often centrally-located transport infrastructure. "Even when infrastructure is well maintained, however, many transportation agencies continue to view their assets as merely a drain on their budgets. But in recent years some agencies have gotten more creative. Rest areas and welcome/visitor centers on highways may present a good opportunity for selling food, goods and services through specialized outsourced service providers as well as for corporate-branding sponsorships."
Data and advertising space are potential moneymakers. Additionally, "One particularly valuable, yet often unexploited asset, is land. A thorough review of an agency's real-estate portfolio often reveals surplus or underutilized properties or plots which could be leased, sold, developed or put to joint use."
FULL STORY: The Untapped Value of Transportation Assets

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.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie