An intrepid grad student at MIT created a graphic that shows off the color palettes of U.S. and Canadian transit lines.
Kelsey E. Thomas shares the work of transportation engineering and urban planning graduate student Ari Ofsevit, who frequents the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority transit system while studying at MIT.
The idea is simple: a graphic that shows the colors used by 13 transit systems in the U.S. and Canada. The threshold for making the graphic: having a system that uses at least three colors, two of them from subway lines. "The graphic was created using PDF maps, a color picker and a line file," explains Ofsevit.
Ofsevit was intrepid enough to complete a project many people had thought of but never actually completed, and for that, as well as the fun result he created, we applaud him.
To shot Ofsevit's work, here his tweet of the most recent version of the graphic, in response to feedback from Twittersphere.
@rantoftheminute I know, timely! Latest version: pic.twitter.com/6npeB8RW6W
— Ari Ofsevit (@ofsevit) March 21, 2017
FULL STORY: Mapping the Colors of North America’s Transit Lines
Pop Quiz: Can You Identify Cities By Density Alone?
A Planetizen editor failed this quiz.
What's in a name? Google may have the answer
Google Labs has released another fascinating tool for researchers. Readers may already be familiar with Google Trends which can chart and reveal trends in search patterns for the last decade. The new tool allows similar analysis of Google's impressive library of digitized books spanning centuries.
Friday Fun: Best Cities for Rooftop Dining and Drinking
Just in time for summer’s last hurrah, a list of cities with a reputation for rooftop entertainment.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie