Pope Francis' much-publicized visit to the capital in late September saw reductions in congestion and better travel times. Event-specific telecommuting policies and transit route changes appear responsible for the minor miracle.
Against all intuition, Pope Francis' visit to Washington, D.C. this September resulted in less overall traffic, not more. The region's Transportation Planning Board reported on the statistics.
From the report: "Overall, a modest reduction in traffic volumes led to a significant reduction in congestion and an even larger improvement in travel time reliability on freeways, and transit ridership notably declined for the week."
As for causes, Robert Thomson notes, "The federal Office of Personnel Management asked federal agencies to allow employees to telework, adjust their work hours or take time off. Many other employers also allowed telework and flexible work hours policies."
Thomson goes on, "Other factors may have been involved. Sept. 23 was Yom Kippur, and schools were closed in some jurisdictions. Also, some local transit services reduced or rerouted their buses on the roadways that were most likely to be congested during the visit." In other words, the good traffic was likely a one-time deal.
FULL STORY: What Pope Francis did for D.C. traffic
From 9-to-5 to Anytime: How Telecommuting Changes the Traffic Game
Not all cities have benefited equally from congestion relief brought on by shifting commuting patterns.
If Traffic Costs Americans Billions, What About Waiting for Coffee?
The folks over at City Observatory brew up a "Cappuccino Congestion Index" to show that anything can be shown to cost Americans vast sums of money.
Study Ranks the 'Traffic Resilience' of Urban Road Systems
The inefficiencies of daily commutes set aside, the road systems of some cities are not prepared to deal with unexpected events that disrupt the transportation system.
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.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
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.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
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