In short, transit wasn't really there. When transportation network services went down, people felt stranded. Transit friendliness can go a long way.
In a Medium piece, the folks behind the Transit app discuss why the transportation conversation at South by Southwest focused only on rideshare. "SXSWers were bereft of their beloved ridesharing services, forced to wait for cabs in the rain with 'no alternatives'. We racked our brains for a possible solution. We think we found it: Fixed-route ridesharing."
In other words, transit. But in central Austin, transit is sparse and hard to use compared with other central cities. Changing that could shift the narrative at future festivals. "Our data suggests that there's an exponential relationship between 'transit friendliness' and the number of trips that actually get taken. Basically what that means is that by making a destination a bit more transit friendly you end up getting a lot more people taking transit."
The tradeoff between transportation network companies and transit should (in theory at least) depend on the type of urban landscape you're traversing. "Ridesharing is easy and convenient. It's a fantastic complement to public transit. But it shouldn't be the default mobility choice in the downtown core of a big American city."
FULL STORY: The media focused on the wrong thing during SXSW
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
Indy Bikeshare System Turns 10, Expands to E-Bikes
Pacers Bikeshare riders logged over 700,000 rides since the system launched in 2014.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
New York’s Deadliest Neighborhoods for Pedestrians
Pedestrian deaths rose last year, but remain below pre-2020 levels.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.