Transportation

Two black and blue RIDE vans

Can On-Demand Transit Replace Traditional Buses?

For small towns and hard-to-reach areas, on-demand microtransit could offer an effective alternative to fixed-route buses.

July 19, 2022 - NPR

Commuter Rail

Massachusetts Legislation Would Require Low-Income Transit Fares

After a similar bill was vetoed by Governor Charlie Baker in 2020, the Massachusetts senate has reintroduced an amendment that would mandate discounted transit fares.

July 19, 2022 - Streetsblog Massachusetts

Tesla's chief deisnger easily smashes the window of the cybertruck in a demonstration gone wrong.

Opinion: Stop Trusting Elon Musk—on Tunnels, on Teslas, on Everything

Musk has leveraged social media intrigue and a hot streak on the market to become the standard bearer for autonomous vehicle technology. Trust Tesla at public peril, argues James Brasuell in this opinion piece.

July 18, 2022 - James Brasuell

Commuter Traffic

The American Commute Is Getting More Expensive

The average cost of commuting in the United States rose by 35 percent since last year, according to a new report.

July 18, 2022 - Axios

Nighttime bus interior with one rider standing by door

Transit Ridership Continues Slow Recovery

Even as gas prices rise, ridership on many public transit systems continues to remain well below pre-pandemic levels.

July 17, 2022 - Marketplace

A high-speed rail is blurred as it passes a modern skyline in China.

Friday Funny: The Onion Blasts U.S. for Slow Trains

The satirical news site The Onion has imagined a world where China and the United States are competing over which country can operate the slowest, least dependable train systems.

July 15, 2022 - The Onion

Nighttime view of pedestrianized street in Bethesda, maryland with benches and people walking

Montgomery County Planners Present Pedestrian Safety Proposals

The auto-centric county has been building new bike trails and pedestrian facilities, but more improvements are necessary to reduce the number of pedestrian deaths and injuries, planners say.

July 15, 2022 - The Washington Post

People in masks walking on Page Street, San Francisco, June 2020

San Francisco Nixes Slow Street

Lake Street’s designation as a ‘slow street’ is overwhelmingly popular with residents. Why does the city plan to dismantle it?

July 14, 2022 - Streetsblog San Francisco

Minneapolis Bike Lanes

Touring One of the U.S.’s Best Biking Cities: Minneapolis

The latest Streetfilms release offers an in-person, on-bike tour of Minneapolis.

July 14, 2022 - Streetfilms

Rendering of SunRunner bus station with passengers boarding

Tampa Bay Bus Rapid Transit To Launch in October

Tampa Bay’s first bus rapid transit line, the SunRunner, has an official opening date.

July 14, 2022 - Tampa Bay Times

North Carolina

Charlotte Mobility Plan Centers Improved Multimodal Options and Economic Mobility

The city’s newly approved Strategic Mobility Plan highlights the need for better options when it comes to walking, biking, and public transit, setting a goal to reduce driving to half of total trips.

July 13, 2022 - Smart Cities Dive

Welcome sign for Rock Creek Park, Washington. D.C.

National Park Service Weighs Changes to D.C.’s Beach Drive

The scenic road has been closed to car traffic during the pandemic, but the park service could begin allowing through traffic nine months of the year.

July 13, 2022 - DCist

Pedestrian crossing street with cars in background and "Dangerous by Design 2022" white font

Dangerous By Design: 2022 Report Analyzes Rising Pedestrian Deaths

The report ranks the most dangerous states and metro areas for pedestrians, who died at higher rates during the pandemic despite reduced driving.

July 12, 2022 - Smart Growth America

The Griffith Observatory is perched on a hill above Los Angeles, with the city's downtown shown int he distant background. Griffith Park's rolling hills and winding roads are shown in the foreground.

Los Angeles to Test Road Closure Through Scenic Griffith Park

After a driver killed a cyclist on Griffith Park Drive in April, the city of Los Angeles is studying safety upgrades on streets in its famous park. The L.A. Times says the changes are part of a growing movement.

July 12, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

Biking in Denver

Denver Taking New Applications for Wildly Popular E-Bike Rebate Program

Residents are taking advantage of the city’s rebate program, which offers discounts of up to $1,200 on e-bikes for low-income residents.

July 12, 2022 - Westword

Aerial view of Dallas freeways

TxDOT Recommends a 10-Lane ‘Infrastructure Grave’ in Dallas

Rather than removing the freeway altogether, which the Texas Department of Transportation calls ‘unfeasible,’ the agency recommends burying the road in a billion-dollar, ten-lane trench through the city’s downtown.

July 12, 2022 - Strong Towns

A group of police officers wearing masks during the Covid-19 pandemic gather on a subway platform in New York City.

Safety Concerns Driving Riders Away From Transit

Public transit systems in major U.S. cities are struggling to restore their image after rising crime rates led to heightened security concerns among riders.

July 12, 2022 - Governing

Phoenix Freeway Interchange

Arizona Governor Vetoes Phoenix-Area Transportation Tax Vote, Shocking Local Leaders

Arizona state law requires Maricopa County to request approval from the state before it can send a transportation tax to the voters for approval.

July 11, 2022 - Axios Phoenix

A map of the under-construction Tren Maya that passes through several locations on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

Watch: Mexico’s $10 Billion Rail Line Through the Jungle

YouTube channel B1M takes a trip to the Yucatan Peninsula to examine the risks and the opportunities of Tren Maya—a $10 billion railway under construction to connect the south and southeast corners of the country to tourist destinations.

July 11, 2022 - B1M

Gas Pump

High Gas Costs Making a Small Dent in Carbon Emissions

Americans are driving slightly less due to high prices at the pump, but this reduction in driving is only making a small impact on overall U.S. carbon emissions.

July 11, 2022 - Denver Post

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.

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

Director, Strategy and Research

Greater Baltimore Committee

Senior Planner

Eagle County Government

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.