Transportation

Oakland

I-880 Reconfiguration Takes Another Step Forward in Oakland

The Oakland Alameda Access Project, in the works since 1997, is meant to relieve traffic congestion and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists in Oakland's Chinatown neighborhood.

December 28, 2020 - Mercury News

CTA El Train

One Big Step Forward, One Small Step Back for Chicago Red Line Extension

A big approval and a significant delay—but otherwise 2020 has been a positive year for plans to extend the Chicago Transit Authority's Red Line by 5.6 miles to the south.

December 28, 2020 - Chicago Sun-Times

Los Angeles and Coronavirus

The Most Popular Urban Planning Articles of 2020

The most-read news, features, and blogs on Planetizen in that year that was 2020.

December 28, 2020 - James Brasuell

Gas Drill

Community Impact Funds Could Subsidize a Fossil Fuel Railroad

A railway project designed to move oil and gas across eastern Utah has received millions in grant money from a fund designed to mitigate the impacts of fossil fuels.

December 27, 2020 - High Country News

Centro Ybor

State Grant Gives Tampa Streetcar a Big Cash Infusion

Next stop: A bigger, better Tampa Streetcar.

December 27, 2020 - Tampa Patch

Car-Free Cities

Watch: The Car-Free City Becomes Reality

The latest City Beautiful video shows off the fruits of car-free initiatives in European cities.

December 25, 2020 - City Beautiful

Both Ways

Jaywalking Legalized in Virginia

Beginning in March, police will no longer be able to stop people for crossing the street outside of a crosswalk, a small component of reform intended to protect BIPOC from the historically discriminatory application of traffic laws.

December 25, 2020 - The Virginia Mercury

Montreal Light Rail

Big Light Rail Expansion Planned in Montreal

Montreal officials recently announced details of a major expansion of the Réseau express métropolitain (REM).

December 25, 2020 - CBC

Pennsylvania

Lawsuit Challenges PennDOT's NEPA Process on Erie Bayfront Parkway

Despite 80% of survey respondents wanting a reduction in volume on Erie's waterfront parkway and improved pedestrian and bicycle access to the city's waterfront, PennDOT plans instead to double traffic as part of a $120 million high-speed bypass.

December 24, 2020 - Earth Justice

Washington D.C. Street

COVID Stimulus Details for Planners

A few last minute changes were included in the version of the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Act of 2020, approved by Congress last night.

December 22, 2020 - APA Advocates via Twitter

Pedestrians

2019 Crash Fatality Data Reveals Relative Calm Before the Storm

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's latest crash fatality data for 2019 showed improving safety conditions for road users from the year prior. That progress is likely to vanish when the data for 2020 are complete.

December 22, 2020 - Smart Cities Dive

Miner Street Al Fresco

The Post-Pandemic Street

From designing streets to designing process.

December 22, 2020 - David Vega-Barachowitz

Hubway Bikeshare

Boston Installs New Bike Lanes as Part of GoBoston 2030 Initiative

The city wants to cut its car use in half by 2030 as part of an aggressive set of "aspirational" goals.

December 22, 2020 - Streetsblog Massachusetts

Pumping Gas

Transportation Climate Initiative Expected to Cross the Finish Line

Twelve northeastern states and D.C. are expected to sign a new cap-and-investment scheme designed to lower emissions from transportation.

December 21, 2020 - The Boston Globe

Traffic Safety

Vision Zero Action Plan Launched in Houston

In Houston, 60 percent of serious automobile crashes occur on 6 percent of the city's streets. A New Vision Zero Action Plan will focus safety improvements on those streets with a high density of traffic deaths and serious injuries.

December 21, 2020 - City of Houston Mayor's Office

Bus Lane

Pandemic Bus Lanes Show Promise as Permanent Solutions

As cities streamline approval processes for bus-only lanes during the pandemic, transit experts hope the projects will lead to lasting change.

December 21, 2020 - Streetsblog Chicago

Thomas/Central Avenue Station

$544 Million in Transit Capital Investment Funding Announced

The latest round of funding for the Federal Transit Administration's Capital Investment Grant funding program was announced this week.

December 20, 2020 - Federal Transit Administration

Biden administration

Biden Selects Energy Secretary and New National Climate Advisor

Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, a U.C. Berkeley professor, is Biden's choice to lead the Energy Department. A new position, national climate advisor, will be filled by former Obama EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, current head of the NRDC.

December 18, 2020 - Greentech Media

New York City Subway

What's in the New Economic Stimulus Package for U.S. Transit Agencies

A new economic stimulus package that appears headed for approval as of this writing will give $15 billion to public transit, far less than transit advocates had hoped, but far better than nothing.

December 17, 2020 - Streetsblog USA

IndyGo Enhanced Bus Stop

Indianapolis to Upgrade Bus Stops to 'Super Stops'

Downtown Indianapolis bus stops are getting a makeover with enhancements that prioritize buses and improve rider safety.

December 17, 2020 - The Indianapolis Star

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.