Transportation
EPA Launches School Bus Electrification Program
The agency will distribute $5 billion over the next five years to help school districts purchase electric and low-emissions buses.
Why Are Transit Agencies So Understaffed?
More than nine in 10 U.S. transit agencies face operator shortages. A new report sheds light on the reasons why they’re having such a hard time attracting new hires.
Nascar Set to Race the Streets of Chicago Starting in 2023
Nascar races are a series of loops. Chicago has The Loop. Chicago also has a heated debate about traffic safety that probably doesn't have room for sponsored cars doing speeds upward of 100.
Metrorail Preparing for Record-Long Service Shutdown
A bridge on the D.C. Metrorail Yellow Line will be closed for seven months—the longest ever for the transit system. Blue Line service and shuttles will attempt to make up the difference.
Transit Systems Begin To Shift Away From Police Enforcement
Some transit agencies are launching ‘ambassador’ programs that use unarmed personnel to respond to safety concerns and reduce interactions with armed law enforcement.
Work Begins To Improve Brooklyn Bridge Bike Lane
The city plans to make conditions safer for bikes and pedestrians on and around the Brooklyn Bridge bike lane, which opened to much fanfare—and some disappointment—last year.
Caltrans Releases Complete Streets Action Plan
The agency’s detailed list of actions highlights the many changes needed to truly implement Complete Streets principles into California road construction and maintenance.
The Push To Decriminalize Jaywalking
Supporters of decriminalization argue that jaywalking laws don’t keep pedestrians safe and disproportionately burden Black and brown communities with fines.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Transit Ridership Continues Slow Recovery
Even as gas prices rise, ridership on many public transit systems continues to remain well below pre-pandemic levels.
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.
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.
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?
Touring One of the U.S.’s Best Biking Cities: Minneapolis
The latest Streetfilms release offers an in-person, on-bike tour of Minneapolis.
Tampa Bay Bus Rapid Transit To Launch in October
Tampa Bay’s first bus rapid transit line, the SunRunner, has an official opening date.
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.
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.
Pagination
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello