Transportation

Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) bus on Foster Street in Downtown Worcester, Massachusetts MA, USA.

Massachusetts Extends Free Transit Through June 2025

Gov. Healey announced a $30 million extension to new and existing free fare programs at 13 public transit agencies.

October 29, 2024 - WWLP

Aerial view of Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum stadium in Los Angeles, California.

LA’s ‘Car-Free’ Olympic Dream Is in Danger

Can the city fund its ambitious plans to build over $3 billion of public transit and sustainable transportation projects before the 2028 Olympic Games?

October 28, 2024 - Governing

Tesla self-driving car view from inside dashboard.

NHTSA Opens Investigation Into Tesla’s Autonomous System

The agency will probe the “Full Self-Driving” system in the wake of crashes that include a pedestrian death.

October 28, 2024 - Associated Press

Red Amtrak Borealis train in St. Paul Union Station depot.

Amtrak Borealis Line Celebrates 100,000 Passengers

The St. Paul-to-Chicago train served more than 22,000 passengers in August.

October 28, 2024 - Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Blurry person in bike riding quickly in bike lane with Big Ben in background in London, UK.

Over and Over, Studies Show Bike Lanes Don’t Cause Congestion

Bike infrastructure tends to make vehicle travel faster, improve road safety, and bring more revenue to local businesses.

October 25, 2024 - CBC

20 MPH speed limit sign

Chicago Could Join Other Cities in Lowering Speed Limits

Lowering speed limits by just 10 miles per hour can have a major impact on traffic safety.

October 25, 2024 - NBC Chicago

Columbia Bridge on Interstate 5 between Washington and Oregon.

Opinion: I-5 Expansion EIR Deludes Itself

The environmental impact report for a massive highway project in the Pacific Northwest ignores the reality of induced demand.

October 24, 2024 - The Urbanist

Yellow and black Metro light rail train pulling up to outdoor platform with Los Angeles skyline in background.

L.A. Transit Surpasses 1M Weekday Riders for First Time Since Pandemic

Rail and bus ridership in the Los Angeles metropolitan area is recovering at a faster rate than the national average.

October 24, 2024 - KNX News

Sign with icons indicating access to multiple transportation modes in Le Havre, France

Evaluating Transportation Affordability: How Planners Can Better Respond to Demands for Lower Cost Travel

Affordability is an important but often overlooked transportation planning issue. A new report provides practical guidance for evaluating transportation affordability and achieving affordability goals.

October 24, 2024 - Todd Litman

Red Light

Banning Right Turns on Red: Lessons From Atlanta

How road safety activists passed a law that could make roads much safer.

October 24, 2024 - Streetsblog USA

Busy pedestrian crosswalk on wide boulevard in Santa Monica, California lined with tall palm trees against golden hour light.

California Transportation Commission Reluctant to Incorporate Complete Streets Guidelines

The agency plans to update its road design guidelines by the end of the year — before a new law that prioritizes pedestrian and cyclist safety takes effect.

October 23, 2024 - Streetsblog California

View of Alabama state capitol in Montgomery, Alabama at night.

Proposed Alabama Bill Would Fund Public Transit

The senator who introduced the legislation cited concerns about the state’s low levels of workforce participation, noting that a lack of transportation is one of the main reasons Alabama residents can’t participate in the workforce.

October 23, 2024 - Alabama Daily News

Man in suit holding tablet looking at subway turnstiles with superimposed graphics signaling technology and AI.

How AI Can Improve Public Transit

Machine learning and AI can transform the way transit agencies operate and make service faster and more comfortable for users.

October 23, 2024 - RT Insights

Dark blue Greyhound buses parked in a row.

Flixbus Nearing Deal With Chicago Bus Terminal

Greyhound is shedding stations around the country, but Chicago intercity bus passengers will still be able to use the city’s main bus terminal — for now.

October 22, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Nighttime view of blurred fast car traffic on street leading to U.S. Capitol dome in Washington, D.C.

DC’s Traffic Cameras Are Working, but Not a Panacea

Automated enforcement is reducing speeding, but bigger changes to street design and the built environment are needed to make the District’s streets safer and more pleasant for people walking.

October 22, 2024 - Greater Greater Washington

Silver and blue Amtrak train approaching an oncoming orange freight train at station in Seattle, Washington.

Opinion: Prioritize Amtrak, but Don’t Demonize Freight

A proposed bill would tighten enforcement of a 1973 law that gives passenger trains priority over freight shipments.

October 21, 2024 - Mass Transit

Person walking red bicycle with green Uber Eats delivery bag on cobblestone street in Bucharest, Romania.

EU's New Rider Directive Poses Challenges to Cash-Strapped Delivery Platforms

The European Union has adopted a new directive aimed at improving working conditions for platform workers and increasing transparency. This new directive goes beyond Spain’s Rider’s Law, aiming for a harmonized set of standards across the E.U.

October 21, 2024 - Cities of the Future

Paved Atlanta Beltline trail segment next to street with bike and pedestrian crossing sign and 30 mph speed limit sign.

Atlanta Beltline Expands Westside Trail and Redevelops Rail Corridor

The Beltline is expanding the Westside Trail with new sections, including the Kudzu Trail, while also redeveloping abandoned rail corridors, with completion expected between 2025 and 2027.

October 21, 2024 - WSBTV

Young child riding scooter on gravel path in park.

How Local Parks Promote Equitable Outdoor Access

Targeted investments in local parks, improved infrastructure, and enhanced transit connectivity are essential strategies to close the nature gap and ensure equitable outdoor access for underserved communities.

October 20, 2024 - The Wilderness Society

Aerial view of purple MBTA train at West Concord station in Concord, Massachusetts.

Massachusetts TOD Law Yielding Results

While some cities are fighting the state’s push to increase density near transit, others are already breaking ground on multifamily projects that will bring hundreds of new housing units online.

October 20, 2024 - Boston.com

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.