Wired takes a tour of a Siemens factory in California tasked with the task of building the rolling stock for the forthcoming, privately-funded Brightline train line in Florida.

Jack Stewart reports from a factory near Sacramento, where Siemens "is building some of the most modern, high tech, high speed trains to hit US rails."
The trains are being built for service on the Brightline, which until recently was known as All Aboard Florida. The route will connect Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Orlando, with trains traveling up to 125 miles per hour, according to Stewart.
The article's main purpose is to explain how the trains being constructed at the Siemens factory embody the future of train travel in the United States:
That translates to things like extra-large “picture windows” that align with each seat for the best views. Passengers get access to Wi-Fi (which is promised to be the actually useful high-speed variety), tons of power outlets, and reclining seats. To accommodate those traveling with children and luggage as well as older, mobility-impaired passengers—demographics that make up a large part of the anticipated Florida ridership—the trains offer wide aisles and overhead luggage storage.
FULL STORY: Step Into the Huge Factory Forging America’s Fancy New Trains

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA
The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

Berkeley Approves ‘Middle Housing’ Ordinance
The city that invented single-family zoning is finally reckoning with its history of exclusion.

SEPTA Budget Slashes Service by 45 Percent
The Philadelphia-area transit agency is legally tasked with maintaining a balanced budget. Officials hope the state will come to the rescue with additional funding.

Connecticut Governor Vetoes Housing Bill
Gov. Lamont reversed his view on a controversial affordable housing bill that would have required municipalities to zone for set amounts of affordable housing to receive state funding.
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
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)