Transportation

A system map of Skyline Mail, which circumvents the city of Honolulu.

Skyline Rail, Now Serving Honolulu

In a historic day for public transit, Skyline Rail, a project once deemed the worst transit project in the United States due to extreme cost overruns and construction delays, finally opened to the public at the end of June.

July 2, 2023 - The Honolulu Star Advertiser

Pedestrian walkway connecting the High Line and Moynihan Train Hall in New York City

High Line-Moynihan Connector Opens in New York City

Two footbridges now link the High Line park to the most recent expansion of the Penn Station complex, the Moynihan Train Hall.

July 2, 2023 - Architectural Record

New York City street with some traffic with red brick buildings on either side

Another Step Forward for NYC Congestion Pricing

A federal Finding of No Significant Impact moves the program closer to implementation, which could happen as early as May 2024.

June 30, 2023 - Mass Transit

Male cyclists wearing helmet, sunglasses, and N95 mask stands with arms crossed in front of his bike

Wildfire Smoke Takes Toll on Bike Commuters

How can people on bikes protect their lungs from the harmful effects of wildfire smoke?

June 30, 2023 - Momentum Magazine

View of blurry speeding cars on freeway at sunset

National Mileage Fee Pilot Program Late to Launch

EV sales are increasing–good news for the environment but bad news for road funding, as they pay no fuel taxes. Fortunately, the bipartisan infrastructure law has $125 million earmarked to "demonstrate a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee."

June 29, 2023 - The Associated Press

Person on mountain bike biking on trail in Colorado with mountains in background

‘Queer Byke Brigade’ Wants to Make the Outdoors More Inclusive

A Colorado group of bike enthusiasts is creating a safe, welcoming outdoor space for LGBTQ+ people in Montezuma County.

June 29, 2023 - The Daily Yonder

The Planning Commission podcast title card with headshots of three hosts and guest

Planning Through the Eyes of a Big City Mayor

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall joins the Planning Commission Podcast to talk about housing, street reconfiguration, and saving the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.

June 29, 2023 - The Planning Commission Podcast

White Waymo self-driving minivan taxi on street Mountain View, California

Robotaxi Regulations Lag Behind Reality

As fleets of autonomous cars make their way onto city streets, the need to effectively regulate the technology is becoming more urgent.

June 28, 2023 - MIT Technology Review

Orange Los Angeles Metro bus on city street

L.A. Metro Launches Fare Capping Program

Transit fares will be capped at $5 per day for all riders who pay with TAP cards, whether or not they have weekly or monthly passes.

June 28, 2023 - Governing

Pedestrians crossing a busy crosswalk on New York City street with tall buildings in background

Study: Streets With High Foot Traffic Also See High Driving Speeds

A detailed study of where people walk reveals that driving speeds on many of the streets most used by pedestrians in U.S. cities are higher than recommended speeds, putting pedestrians at higher risk for serious injuries and death.

June 27, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of front side of white electric bus

FTA Announces $1.7 Billion in Clean Transit Grants

The grant funding fell far short of the $8.7 billion requested by transit agencies.

June 27, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Traffic on Pennsylvania Avenue with U.S. Capitol dome in background

D.C. Road Safety Campaign Will Target Drivers With Dangerous Records

A pilot program will send letters and text messages directly to drivers with histories of speeding and reckless driving warning them of the increased risk for themselves and others.

June 27, 2023 - DCist

Close-up of black and gray SUVs in New York City traffic

New York Bill Would Raise Fees on Heavy SUVs

The proposed fee hike would more accurately reflect the increased risk to pedestrians posed by heavier vehicles.

June 26, 2023 - Curbed

Aerial view of red center bus rapid transit lane with bus on Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco, California

What Is Bus Rapid Transit?

Combining elements of rapid transit with buses, BRT systems can provide faster, more reliable service at lower cost than rail-based transit.

June 25, 2023 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of Sioux Falls, South Dakota at sunset

Sioux Falls Multi-Family Development Outpaces Transportation Improvements

Sioux Falls, South Dakota is undergoing a multi-family development boom. Residents are increasingly concerned about the traffic the development brings, according to local news reports.

June 25, 2023 - KELO

Close-up of white "No Thru Traffic" sign

L.A. Approves ‘Park Block’ Program

Inspired by Barcelona’s superblocks, the program aims to limit car traffic in small areas to improve safety and create new park spaces.

June 23, 2023 - Urbanize LA

Close-up of the feet of pedestrians in a crosswalk

2022 Deadliest Year for Pedestrians in Four Decades

Pedestrian deaths reached a four-decade high last year, signaling the failure of Vision Zero policies in most U.S. cities.

June 23, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Blue electric MCTS bus sits at a charging station

Milwaukee BRT Proves Popular With Riders

The newly opened line is already reaching pre-pandemic ridership levels.

June 22, 2023 - Urban Milwaukee

Map of proposed Baltimore Red Line transit line alignment with white boxes showing open questions

Details Start to Emerge for Revived Baltimore Red Line

The long-awaited east-west transit line is moving forward with support from a new governor, but still has a long road ahead.

June 22, 2023 - Greater Greater Washington

A map of the construction project to build two new rail transit routes through Downtown Los Angeles.

Newly Opened Regional Connector Redefines Light Rail Transit in Los Angeles

Three rail lines have become two rail lines in Los Angeles, providing one-seat rides from four corners of Los Angeles County.

June 21, 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.

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.