Transportation

Highway Speed

Can't Drive 55: America's Dangerous Love of Speeding

While most Americans agree that speeding is a threat to public safety, dysfunctional laws and inadequate enforcement perpetuate a culture of tacitly sanctioned high-speed driving.

December 26, 2021 - Slate

Town Homes

Report Links Housing Growth and Climate Resilience

Data from three U.S. metro areas show a failure to address land use and sprawl as a key factor driving climate change.

December 26, 2021 - The Brookings Institution

An Amtrak passenger train is shown on a spring day, rolling through a rural area in Missouri.

Amtrak Hits New Top Speeds Between St. Louis and Chicago

A project that won funding from federal stimulus programs during the Obama administration is finally paying off on the Amtrak route between Chicago and St. Louis.

December 24, 2021 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The interior of a Tesla, with a large video screen. The person behind the wheel is touching the screen.

Video Games on Tesla Screens? Not So Fast, Say Safety Regulators

The Passenger Play video feature available in most Tesla cars has caught the attention of regulators at the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

December 24, 2021 - The New York Times

20 MPH speed limit sign

Denver Says 20 Is Plenty

Denver, dealing with an increase in traffic fatalities during the pandemic, has lowered speed limits on some residential streets. Critics say the new law neglects the most needed traffic safety changes.

December 23, 2021 - The Denver Gazette

Uber App

Gig Workers Demand Data Transparency

Access to data for gig workers can provide a valuable source of information and bargaining power in a traditionally opaque and risky industry.

December 23, 2021 - Wired

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh Pedestrian Wayfinding Program Set to Launch

Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission awarded $1.4 million to the city of Pittsburgh to launch the Pittsburgh Pedestrian Wayfinding initiative.

December 22, 2021 - Pittsburgh City Paper

Coronavirus and Lime

This Is Your Brain on E-Scooters

A survey from scooter operator Spin indicates that e-scooter users experience a boost in relaxation and positive feelings after a ride.

December 22, 2021 - Streetsblog USA

Larimer Square

Colorado To Prioritize Climate Impacts in Transportation Projects

Under new state regulations, Colorado transportation projects will be required to reduce GHG emissions and promote more sustainable transportation modes.

December 22, 2021 - Denver Post

Tesla

Editorial Calls for Tesla to Follow Same 'Self-Driving' Testing Rules as Everyone Else

While dozens of companies are following state-mandated regulations for autonomous vehicle testing, Tesla has managed to avoid the same rules. It's time for regulators to step in, according to the Los Angeles Times Editorial Board.

December 22, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

Atlanta streetcar

Expansion Planned for Atlanta Streetcar

A proposed expansion of Atlanta's beleaguered downtown streetcar could turn the 'novelty' line into a truly useful transportation option in the car-centric city.

December 22, 2021 - Urbanize Atlanta

Los Angeles Protected Bike Lane

Opinion: Los Angeles Must Prioritize Bikes and Buses

L.A. has a plan for improving mobility. Why are city leaders ignoring it?

December 21, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

Highway Construction

Federal Memo 'Gently' Discourages Highway Construction

The Federal Highway Administration is urging states to prioritize climate-friendly projects and put federal funds toward repairs and active transportation infrastructure.

December 21, 2021 - Wired

D.C. Metro

Study: D.C. Region Must Take Aggressive Steps To Reach Climate Goal

To achieve its stated emissions reduction goal, the Greater Washington area must sharply reduce driving and speed up the adoption of electric vehicles.

December 21, 2021 - Greater Greater Washington

Joe Biden exits a limousine, surrounded by security and staffers, on the way to the Marine One helicopter on a pad near the water in New York City.

Biden's New Tailpipe Emissions Rule Resets to Obama Administration Standards

The Biden administration finalized greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks that almost fully erased changes by the Trump administration that, in turn, erased a rule finalized by the Obama administration.

December 21, 2021 - The Washington Post

Trump supporting insurrectionists scale the walls of the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021.

Year in Review: Urban Planning in 2021

Part one of two of Planetizen's review of 2021—re-assessing failed predictions and daylighting the biggest planning stories of the year.

December 20, 2021 - James Brasuell

Downeaster train in Maine

What States Can Learn From the Success of Maine's Downeaster Train

As Amtrak gears up to plan expansion projects supported by new federal funding, states can take some advocacy lessons from Maine's popular Downeaster train.

December 20, 2021 - Governing

New York City Subway

How Rail Transit Ridership Changed During the Pandemic

Almost all heavy rail transit stations lost riders in 2020, but some stations lost far fewer riders than others. The data reveals lessons for transit planning beyond the end of the pandemic (whenever that happens).

December 20, 2021 - Urban Institute

Ghost Bike

Replacing Houston's Missing Ghost Bikes

A Houston couple is asking for help installing 'ghost bike' memorials, a stark reminder of the dangers of unsafe roads to cyclists.

December 19, 2021 - The Houston Chronicle

Bend, Oregon

Oregon DOT Projects Little Decline in Driving Despite Climate Pledge

Financial projections from the state's Department of Transportation suggest the agency does not anticipate a marked reduction in driving in the next decade.

December 17, 2021 - Willamette Week

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.