Transportation

Small grey sedan charging at outdoor electric car charging station with green kiosk and green forest in background in Norway.

Norway’s EV Boom Could Entrench Car Dependency

The Scandinavian country is a pioneer when it comes to EV adoption, but there are downsides.

November 2, 2023 - Vox

Blue sign with white Parking text and arrow pointing into garage

Parking Reform Pays Off With Lower Rent Costs

Research continues to show that adjusting parking requirements to align with demand can lower the cost of housing.

November 2, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

White minibus with yellow "On-Demand" logo parked in an asphalt lot with grass field and dry fall trees in background in Edmonton, Canada.

Advocates Urge Caution as Microtransit Expands

On-demand microtransit is gaining popularity with transit agencies, but is it at the expense of existing service?

November 1, 2023 - Governing

Aerial view of the San Francisco Bay with Hayward Bridge and Foster City in San Mateo County, California.

Converting a Freeway Lane to a Toll Lane: No Easy Task!

The San Mateo County Transportation Authority wants to extend its new express toll lanes north to the San Francisco border. The two build options are widening Highway 101 or converting an existing lane in each direction. One is essentially illegal.

November 1, 2023 - San Mateo Daily Journal

Close-up of yellow and grey smart parking meter with blurred city street in background.

More Cities are Shifting to Demand-Based Curb Parking

Largely used for free car parking, urban curb space is becoming a more precious commodity.

November 1, 2023 - CNN

Red articulated public transit bus in Sydney, Australia.

Sydney Could Automate Traffic Lights to Prioritize Buses

The proposal is part of the government’s bid to increase transit ridership and make bus service faster and more reliable.

November 1, 2023 - The Guardian

White and blue Sound Transit light rail train on elevated rail in Seattle, Washington.

Seattle Needs More Railcars

Sound Transit needs more cars to accommodate its ridership, particularly during special events and peak times.

October 31, 2023 - The Seattle Times

Rendering of bus rapid transit station in center of four-lane street in San Antonio, Texas.

A Look at San Antonio’s Upcoming Rapid Bus Line

A new bus line will bring some of the benefits of bus rapid transit, connecting the city’s airport and downtown.

October 31, 2023 - San Antonio Report

Yellow school crossing sign with two figures and brick buildings in background.

Crosswalks Near NYC Schools More Dangerous Than Average

A child and a crossing guard were killed in school crosswalks within one week as the NYPD cuts crossing guard jobs.

October 31, 2023 - Curbed

Three yellow excavators at a road construction site with elevated roadway in background.

Report Evaluates Equity in Federal Infrastructure Grants

The report indicates that large formula funding programs tend to support the status quo, reinforcing car-centric planning and inequitable spending patterns.

October 30, 2023 - Governing

White and red Cruise self-driving vehicle on a San Francisco street.

Cruise Suspends Driverless Operations, Waymo Pushes Ahead

While Cruise is pausing all of its autonomous services in a bid to “regain public trust,” Waymo, via Uber, will begin offering autonomous rides in Phoenix.

October 30, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Straight black asphalt road through forest with colorful fall foliage.

Study: Road Design, Speed Key Factors in Pedestrian Deaths

A recent study emphasizes the importance of good road design and low speed limits in keeping pedestrians safe.

October 30, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

One cyclist rides on pedestrian bridge with foggy Austin, Texas skyline in background.

Texas Awards $345 Million for Bike and Pedestrian Projects

The investment is six times as much as the Texas Transportation Commission made available in the last call for projects.

October 30, 2023 - Yahoo News

Google Maps street view of McGuinness Boulevard, four-lane road in Brooklyn with green sign for I-278W to BQE and Staten Island.

New York Bike Lane Generates Confusion

A compromise road diet with “flex lanes” falls short of its promise.

October 30, 2023 - Curbed

D.C. Metro System

Impending ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Could Doom DC Transit’s Dramatic Improvement Efforts

Without additional funding, the region’s transit agency could be forced to reverse key changes that have improved service in the past year.

October 29, 2023 - TransitCenter

View of Minneapolis freeway with downtown skyline in background with light traffic at golden hour.

Twin Cities Commutes Faster Than Pre-Pandemic

Workers who have returned to in-person jobs are still experiencing less traffic congestion than in 2019.

October 27, 2023 - Axios

View of palm tree-lined boulevard in Miami, Florida with white PT Cruiser driving by.

Florida to Adopt ‘Safe System’ Traffic Safety Approach

The concept focuses on road design and policy that reduces the likelihood of severe injuries and deaths.

October 27, 2023 - WUSF

Yellow bus shelter with one young person sitting on bench at night.

Study: How To Make Transit Safer

A new report recommends boosting ‘ambassador programs,’ improving reliability and frequency, and supporting more anti-harassment initiatives.

October 26, 2023 - Streetsblog San Francisco

Blue and white Throne portable bathroom in an outdoor location.

Public Restroom Pilot Launched at Three LA Train Stations

The city’s transit stations are notoriously devoid of restrooms, shade, and other amenities while riders face long waits.

October 26, 2023 - Mass Transit

Pedestrians in busy crosswalk with tram in background in downtown Toronto, Canada with sunrise or sunset light in background.

Report Stresses Links Between Housing and Transit

A Canadian report calls for a more holistic approach to housing development policy and transportation planning.

October 26, 2023 - Mass Transit

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

Director, Strategy and Research

Greater Baltimore Committee

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.