Transportation Emissions

Aerial view of traffic in New York City entering Queens Midtown tunnel

Report Highlights Economic Benefits of Reducing Car Dependence

Encouraging Americans to drive less — and supporting cities where it’s possible to do so — could save the country trillions more than just electrifying the transportation sector.

November 5, 2024 - Streetsblog USA

View from back of woman and child walking on London street wearing warm clothes with a black cab visible in background.

London Low-Emissions Zone Prompts Shift to Active Modes

More children are using active transportation modes to get to school in the wake of a policy that charges drivers to enter a low-emissions zone in central London.

September 24, 2024 - Grist

Sign for low emissions zone in downtown Madrid, Spain.

Madrid Uses Transit System for Parcel Delivery to Cut Emissions

A new pilot program uses trains to deliver packages at off-peak hours, lowering emissions from trucks.

September 19, 2024 - Global Railway Review

Red and white Caltrain electric train at platform in San Jose, California.

Caltrain Introduces Electric Train Fleet

The Bay Area agency will switch to all electric trains by the end of September.

September 12, 2024 - FOX News

Clpse=up of Uber and Lyft stickers inside a car windshield.

Study: Half of Uber, Lyft Rides Replace More Sustainable Options

A new study out of UC Davis details how ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft impact more sustainable modes of transportation like transit, cycling, and walking from the perspective of user behavior.

August 29, 2024 - UC Davis

Aerial view of wide roadway and arc bridge in Denver, Colorado.

Colorado Requires DOT to Reduce Emissions. Is it Working?

A new rule calling for emissions reduction plans as part of highway projects has led to two canceled road expansions and a shift toward greener transportation investments.

July 19, 2024 - MSN

Street scene in Greenwich Village, New York City with people walking through busy intersection and new WTC tower in background.

New York State Climate Plan Stalls

Of 35 recommendations presented in the state’s climate scoping plan, just one has been implemented so far.

July 17, 2024 - New York Focus

Close-up of fleet modern electric EV delivery vans being charged in covered parking garage.

USDOT Unveils Strategies to Achieve Near-Zero Transportation Emissions

Three key strategies — reducing travel distances, increasing energy-efficient travel modes, and transitioning to zero-emission vehicles and fuels — are recommended to meet national climate goals under the Paris Agreement.

July 15, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Close-up of hand holding EV charger charging car with brick three-story house in background.

The Case for EVs in Rural Areas

Many rural households could benefit from the cost savings of electric cars for everyday trips.

July 11, 2024 - CleanTechnica

Aerial view of a line of freight trucks driving on a country highway.

How Cities Can Lead the Way in Reducing Transportation Emissions

Decisions made at the local level can have a significant impact on emissions in the transportation sector.

May 23, 2024 - Governing

Close-up of electric car battery.

Industry Leaders: Automakers Must Cut EV Battery Weight in Half

Experts call for lighter batteries, diversification of fuels, and a shift away from private cars and towrad public transit.

April 10, 2024 - Transport Topics

Rural bus stop

Congress Hears Rural Transportation Challenges

A Congressional subcommittee heard testimony from rural transportation officials, transit providers, and lawmakers.

March 26, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

View of highway overpass under construction from underneath.

The Infrastructure Law Could Increase Transportation Emissions

With so much funding going to highway construction and expansion, the 2021 law could add 69 million metric tons of carbon to the atmosphere in the next two decades.

February 21, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Multistory parking garage in downtown Denver, Colorado.

Colorado Bill Would End Minimum Parking Requirements

Supporters of the bill say eliminating parking mandates would make housing more affordable and reduce carbon emissions.

February 19, 2024 - Fox 31

Freeway on-ramp sign for Interstate 15 in California.

California Commission Approves Freeway Expansion

The state Transportation Commission ultimately voted to move a controversial Inland Empire interstate project forward.

February 6, 2024 - Streetsblog California

View from rear of yellow delivery van on city street.

How Cities Are Tackling Delivery Emissions

As the popularity of delivery services grows, regulation and tech can address pollution challenges and limit congestion.

January 17, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Close-up of electric car charging port with blurred dark colored car in background.

Federal Government Awards $623 in EV Charging Grants

The grants will fund roughly 7,500 new chargers in neighborhoods and along key freeway corridors.

January 14, 2024 - Wired

Close-up of "Maximum 30 Secteur" speed limit sign on pot in Quebec, Canada.

Lower Speed Limits as a Climate Action Tool

Slowing down traffic can reduce greenhouse gas emissions in addition to improving roadway safety.

January 10, 2024 - Policy Options

Blurred bicyclists riding through crosswalk with blue bus behind them.

Streetsblog’s Best and Worst of 2023 Transportation

While American roads didn’t get much safer by the numbers, new policies indicate a shift toward a more sustainable transportation future.

December 25, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Walkways and escalator at crowded transit station, with one person walking a bike in foreground.

10 Best, Worst States for Climate-Friendly, Equitable Transportation

California and Kentucky bookend a recent ranking of how well states are using federal infrastructure money to address climate change and racial inequities in their transportation networks.

December 12, 2023 - Route Fifty

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.