Maglev high-speed rail, financed (partially) by Japan, is still under consideration for the stretch between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. It would take a princely sum to build.
With the potential to rival airliners for speed, maglev trains are something of a pipe dream in this country. Joe Fox writes, "Superconducting maglev trains ('SCMAGLEV,' to be even more precise) are a rail technology that eschews rails, instead sitting within a concrete guideway. Trains are surrounded by superconducting magnets on each side, causing them to 'float' in the guideway."
Despite a lack of American high-speed rail savvy, backers near the nation's capital are eyeing the concept. "The Baltimore-Washington Rapid Rail (BWRR) organization held a series of open houses across the region in December to showcase the work that they have done so far, and solicit general public comment on their Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)."
The prospect of a 15-minute ride from D.C. to Baltimore is compelling, and the plan envisions an extension to New York City. But who puts up the money? "The Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC) has offered to pay half the cost of the D.C.-to-Baltimore line. The remainder of the initial funding would come from a yet-to-be-identified mix of (American) federal, state, and private sources."
FULL STORY: The idea for a maglev train from DC to Baltimore keeps…floating down the track
Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary
Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.
Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024
A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.
Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts
From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.
New York Transit Agency Launches Performance Dashboard
The tool increases transparency about the agency’s performance on a variety of metrics.
Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding
The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.
Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly
The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.
City of Rochester
Boston Harbor Now
City of Bellevue
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Birmingham, Alabama
City of Laramie, Wyoming
Colorado Department of Local Affairs
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.