Transportation

Aerial view of Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to Staten Island

Staten Island Sues Over Congestion Pricing, Too

The borough’s president says the plan would bring more traffic to Staten Island and unjustly burden its residents with air pollution and tolls.

July 25, 2023 - WABC

A map of the route the 16 bus takes along 3rd Street across Los Angeles.

Popular L.A. Bus Line to Replace Schedule With ‘Headway-Based Operations’

Los Angeles’ 16 bus, which cuts across the city on Third Street through some of the city’s densest neighborhoods, will experiment with a new approach to service design.

July 24, 2023 - LAist

Close-up of hand holding charging cable moving toward charging port on electric car.

Road Funding Options: The Alternative to the Alternative

The inverse relationship between electric vehicle sales and gasoline tax revenues has caused the federal government and many states to investigate mileage fees as an alternative funding option to fuel taxes. Iowa is going a different route.

July 24, 2023 - Clean Energy Districts of Iowa

View of George Washington Bridge between New York and New Jersey again sunrise or sunset sky

NJ v. U.S. DOT: Cordon Pricing in Manhattan

The State of New Jersey filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation on Friday to halt the Manhattan cordon pricing project approved in June by the FHWA, charging that they violated the National Environmental Protection Act.

July 24, 2023 - NJBIZ Journal

Interstate 605 in Los Angeles with green freeway signs and light traffic

L.A. Freeway Expansion to Move Ahead, Sans Displacement

The 605 freeway expansion project was expected to demolish hundreds of homes and multifamily buildings.

July 23, 2023 - Streetsblog LA

Traffic on the George Washington Bridge between New York City and New Jersey

New Jersey Takes New York to Court Over Congestion Pricing

The state is suing to stop New York City’s proposed congestion pricing program, which New Jersey Governor Philip Murphy says would unfairly penalize Garden State residents.

July 23, 2023 - The New York Times

Snow covers a sidewalk and small homes on a Chicago street

Chicago Approves Sidewalk Clearing Pilot

The new program will develop plans for keeping sidewalks clear of snow and ice to improve accessibility.

July 21, 2023 - Streetsblog Chicago

White shuttle bus picks up passengers in Zion National Park, red cliffs and mountains in background.

Improving Transit Access to Parks and Trails

Too often, national parks and other recreational spaces in the United States are difficult or impossible to access without a car. Some parks are working to change that.

July 21, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Maricopa County, Arizona

Phoenix Could Ease Parking Requirements to Support Transit, Affordable Housing

In addition to lower citywide parking requirements on residential properties, a proposed law in Phoenix would lower minimum parking requirements even further for affordable housing developments near the city’s light rail system.

July 20, 2023 - Arizona Central

A conceptual rendering of a bus stop and bus-only lane on a downtown street.

Land Use Changes Could Improve Walkability Along Bus Rapid Transit Corridor in Denver

Denver councilmembers are proposing an overhaul of land use regulations along a long stretch of East Colfax Avenue—the route of a planned Bus Rapid Transit line expected to open in 2026.

July 20, 2023 - Denverite

Blue and yellow light rail train at station in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Transit Ridership Surges in Minneapolis

The city’s transit agency is reporting high rates of return to transit, aided by college students and Taylor Swift fans.

July 20, 2023 - Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Rendering of Trinity Mills TOD project in Dallas, Texas with 5-story office building, park space, and residential multifamily units

Largest TOD in North Texas Breaks Ground Near Dallas

The mixed-use complex features over 400 housing units, offices, retail, and park space.

July 20, 2023 - CultureMap Dallas

A conceptual rendering of a bus station station with two bus-only lanes running in the street.

Bus Rapid Transit Plans Scrapped in Tacoma

A planned bus rapid transit (BRT) line known as “Stream” will have to move forward in some new, as-yet-unplanned form in Tacoma, Washington.  

July 19, 2023 - The Urbanist

View of traffic on freeway with Los Angeles skyline and palm trees in background

California On Schedule to Launch Second Road Charge Pilot Program

The California Transportation Commission met the initial deadline specified in 2021 state legislation requiring the state to perform a fully operational pilot program where participants will pay for the miles they drive.

July 19, 2023 - California Transportation Commission

Bike Parking

What Is Transportation Demand Management?

When a government creates incentives or disincentives to influence how and when you travel—that's transportation demand management.

July 19, 2023 - James Brasuell

Hydrogen-powered zero-emissions public bus

Champaign-Urbana Awarded Grant to Electrify Bus Fleet

Funding from the Low or No Emission Vehicle federal program will help the city replace its buses with new electric and other zero- or low-emission vehicles.

July 19, 2023 - WAND

Intersection on Manhattan street with yellow cabs and black cars waiting for stoplight.

The Urbanist Case Against Congestion Pricing

And why it is wrong.

July 18, 2023 - Michael Lewyn

Red and silver Muni trolley bus connected to overhead wires on San Francisco street

Report: Trolley Buses Best Zero-Emissions Option for San Francisco

To decarbonize its bus system, a new study recommends adding more substantial battery packs to the city’s historic—and all-electric—trolley bus fleet rather than replacing trolley buses with electric buses that require lengthy charging periods.

July 18, 2023 - Streetsblog San Francisco

Graphic of gray Oklahoma City rapid bus against photo of Oklahoma City skyline

Oklahoma City Solicits Public Input on New BRT Lines

City officials presented preliminary plans for new bus routes aimed at connecting neighborhoods previously underserved by transit.

July 18, 2023 - The Oklahoman

View of large HOLLAND TUNNEL sign tollbooths with blurred red taillights in foreground

Report Proposes $15 Peak Hour, $3 Off-Peak Toll for New York Congestion Pricing Plan

As New York City’s congestion pricing program gets closer to implementation, a proposed pricing scheme would charge $15 at peak traffic hours.

July 18, 2023 - StreetsBlog NYC

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

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