The federal government surveyed the country to recognize the best (multi-modal) transportation planning projects.
"Last week, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced recipients of the biennial 2015 Transportation Planning Excellence Awards to local leaders who are sponsoring forward-thinking transportation projects that deliver lasting benefits to the public," according to an announcement on the U.S. Department of Transportation's blog.
The award recognizes eight winners, "based on their successes in forging partnerships in the community and developing creative, effective solutions with long-term benefits," according to the post. "Each project also addresses more than one form of transportation."
The Federal Highway Administration's website includes the complete list of the winners, including a short write-up of each project:
- Moving Forward Update 2035 Regional Transportation Plan
Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, Colorado Springs, Colorado - Mt. Hood Multimodal Transportation Plan
Oregon Department of Transportation, Portland, Oregon - Bus Stop Accessibility Study
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, Roanoke, VA - Humanizing Infrastructure: Design for the Replacement of I-95
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania - 4th Street/ Prater Way Bus RAPID Transit Project
Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County, Reno, Nevada - Chattanooga-Hamilton County/North Georgia Transportation Planning Organization Community-Sensitive Performance-Based Planning
Chattanooga, TN - Minnesota's 20-Year State Highway Investment Plan
Minnesota Department of Transportation, St. Paul, Minnesota - Project Connect North Corridor: Taking Transit Where No Transit Has Gone Before!
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Austin, Texas
FULL STORY: Meet the Best of the Best in Transportation Planning

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing
From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

In Most U.S. Cities, Archaic Laws Limit Roommate Living
Critics argue laws preventing unrelated adults from living in the same home fail to understand the modern American household.

Ten Signs of a Resurgent Downtown
In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe continues his exploration of a holistic and practical approach to post-pandemic urban center recovery, anchored in local context and community-driven initiatives that promote livability, safety, and sustainability.

Few Landlords Pay San Francisco Vacancy Tax
Less than 3 percent of properties potentially subject to a new vacancy tax were filed as vacant in the last year, but empty storefronts in the city persist.

In Spite of Affordability Crisis, Richmond Rejects Manufactured Housing Plan
After declaring a housing crisis, the Virginia capital’s city council voted against a proposed manufactured home warehouse that would distribute replacements for aging manufactured housing stock.

A Planning Commission Podcast Journey: The 1,000 Joys of Planning
The Commissioners explore the facets of the planning profession that fill their cups with joy.
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
City of Orange
City of Charlotte - Charlotte Area Transit
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Montrose County
Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department
City of Lomita
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.