Highway Planning

Rural Traffic

Should We Continue to Ignore Induced Vehicle Travel Costs?

A recent Planetizen blog claims that urban highway expansions reduce traffic congestion and benefit everyone. That must be a joke! Most planners now recognize that such projects tend to be economically wasteful and contradict community goals.

February 26, 2023 - Todd Litman

Coronavirus Skies

L.A. Metro Board Approves Changes to Highway Program

The updated language clarifies that projects can include Complete Streets features, items supported by the county's voters through Measure M.

July 6, 2021 - Streetsblog L.A.

SR-99 in Edmonds, Washington

Pedestrian Improvements Planned for Washington State Highway

New medians, dedicated turn lanes, and signalized crosswalks are aimed at improving pedestrian safety along the busy corridor.

March 2, 2021 - The Urbanist

Bay Bridge Toll Traffic

Failing to Account for Induced Traffic, Even When the Public Demands It

Induced traffic occurs when new highway capacity speeds up traffic, allowing travelers to drive further, increasing sprawl. A review of major highway project plans finds that most fail to accurately account for induced travel effects.

July 5, 2020 - Transportation Research Record: The Journal of the Transportation Research Board

Minneapolis Traffic

Removal Over Reconstruction: Rectifying Crumbling U.S. Highways

Successful urban highway deconstruction projects have swapped highways for boulevards and saw economic, public health, and urban design benefits. Will more cities opt for highway removal programs over reconstruction?

April 26, 2020 - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

Big Changes Proposed for I-81 in Virginia

The Virginia Department of Transportation is proposing $2 billion worth of changes to Interstate 81 in Roanoke.

October 28, 2018 - The Roanoke Times

Downtown Shreveport and Red River

Shreveport Planning Committee Approves New Highway Through Historically Black Neighborhood

A key committee of the Metropolitan Planning Organization for Shreveport, Louisiana approved a new highway through the neighborhood of Allendale, a historic but struggling neighborhood adjacent to downtown.

August 22, 2017 - Shreveport Times

From the Bridge to Nowhere Files: Florida's West Bay Parkway

An examination of the proposed plan for the West Bay Parkway in Florida reveals many holes, a wasteful project, and the need for more accountability in transportation planning.

October 10, 2015 - Center for American Progress

The Implications of Southeast Wisconsin's $7 Billion in Freeway Projects

Some people call it a road-building program. Others call it "an all out war on urbanism."

July 22, 2015 - Politico

Federal Court: Wisconsin DOT's Traffic Projections Fail to Justify Highway Expansion

A federal court found that the Wisconsin DOT uses specious traffic projections to justify the $146 million widening of Highway 23. The state must now either perform verifiable forecasting or scrap the expansion plans.

May 28, 2015 - Streetsblog Network

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

HUD’s 2023 Innovative Housing Showcase

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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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.