Public Transit

Milwaukee Streetcar Debate Stoops to Fear Mongering
Milwaukee Alderman Joe Dudzik's arguments in opposition to a proposed streetcar project have been heard before.
Other Species Value Transit, Too
In Seattle, a four-legged denizen uses the city's public transit system on her own to get to and from her favorite place.
Palo Alto Electeds Oppose Dedicated Lanes for El Camino BRT
As the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) considers the environmental analysis for a proposed bus rapid transit lane in Palo Alto, local officials are opposing the version of the plan that would remove parking for a dedicated bus lane.

New Transit Safety Narrative
Conventional traffic safety programs emphasize ways that individuals can help reduce their risk, but new research indicates that safety depends largely on community planning decisions that affect how and how much people drive.
America's Growing Transit Love Affair
A trend piece by CNN examines Americans' increasing embrace of transit. Although the subject matter is familiar to Planetizen readers, the article also reveals insights into mainstream perceptions of the contemporary mobility discussion.

Public Transit Increases Safety, Reduces Crime
Public transport is overall very safe (low crash rate) and secure (low crime rate). However, experts seldom promote transit as a traffic safety strategy, and advocates seldom emphasize safety as a transit benefit. It's time for a new narrative.
Urban Mobility Plans Key To More Efficient and Integrated Planning
"Urban Mobility Plans – National Approaches and Local Practice," a new guidebook by the Sustainable Urban Transportation Project, describes specific policies and planning practices to maximize urban transport system efficiency.

What's Good about Being an Urban Planner?
For urban planners, it’s easy to focus on the negatives of the job. Los Angeles County Planner Clement Lau reminds us of some of the positive trends in planning, especially in Los Angeles.

The Biggest Transportation Winner on the Nov. 4 Ballot
The ballot measure generating the most new transportation funds approved by voters this month was in Alameda County, Calif. Voters chose to double an existing sales tax to one percent and extend it to 2045, raising $7.8 billion over 30 years.
To Keep the Weight Off—Oklahoma City Prioritizes Active Urban Spaces
In 2012, Oklahoma City lost one million pounds by going on a citywide diet. Now it plans to keep the weight off by funding and building a more active, less car-centric city.
Perfect Logic—Why Drivers and Transit Users Support Public Transportation
The American Public Transportation Association's Director of Policy Development and Research responds to Eric Jaffe's question: "If So Many People Support Transit, Why Do So Few Ride?"

Study: Reducing Car Dependence Would Save $100 Trillion by 2050
A study examines the impact of a worldwide shift away from automobile infrastructure and finds a staggering amount of potential benefits by the year 2050.
Survey: Most Americans Support Increased Spending on Public Transportation
A new survey finds growing public support for increased federal spending on public transportation, even if that means increased taxes.

Baltimore Bus Stop Design Leaves No Doubt
Part street furniture, part advertisement for public transit, part public art—the designers of a new bus stop installation in Baltimore call it "an obvious bus stop."
Seattle Voters To Be Put To Transit Test in November
Will a large city do what its county voters refused to do—fund the county bus system, though largely within city limits? Seattle voters will be put to the test in November when asked to pay an annual $60 vehicle fee and 0.1% sales tax.
Should Transit Systems Break from the Low Fare Orthodoxy?
A proposal for a radical reinvention of the fare structure for the country's transit systems—one that balances the cost of transit with that of driving, generates more revenue from fares, and enables more capital investments.
'Go Forward' Plan Would Expand Bus Service in Cincinnati
With 41 percent of the Cincinnati region’s 1 million jobs located in neighborhoods without public transportation, the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority is developing the "Go Forward" plan to lean on bus service to fill the gap.
Liberals More Likely to Use Public Transit
Digging further into a recent report from the Pew Research Center that finds growing political polarization among Americans, Emily Badger finds use of public transit runs along ideological lines.
Dallas the Setting for a Discussion of 'New Cities'
After the New Cities Summit last week, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors this week, Dallas has been the location of a lot of recent discussion about the future of cities.

Evaluating Public Transport Funding Options
Many jurisdictions need additional funding to improve, or just maintain, their public transport services. A timely new study evaluates eighteen potential funding options according to eight criteria.
Pagination
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
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Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
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City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions