Transportation

Chariot Shuttle

When Microtransit Works as Public Transit, Explained

How to make Microtransit work. Hint: it's about coverage, not ridership.

August 30, 2019 - Human Transit

Aurelian Wall

How Transportation Technology Determines the Footprint of Cities

The Marchetti Constant, the willingness of people to travel for about a half an hour to get to and from work, explains the size of cities in history, and the metropolitan areas of today.

August 30, 2019 - CityLab

Las Vegas strip

Nevada to Embark on 7-Year Program to Record Mileage of Motorists

Nevada is one of 15 states in the Western Road Usage Charge Consortium that are considering a transition from funding their transportation budgets largely by taxing the gallons of fuel that vehicles burn to charging drivers for miles driven.

August 30, 2019 - Route Fifty

Highway Construction

$225 Million in Federal Funding for Rural Bridge and Highway Projects Announced

The U.S. Department of Transportation this week announced the recipients of $225 million in project funding under the Competitive Highway Bridge Program. The program is reserved for projects located in mostly rural states.

August 30, 2019 - U.S. Department Of Transportation

Protest

Gender Bias in Urban Systems

A list of all the ways cities and infrastructure are designed for men, and at the expense of women.

August 29, 2019 - Streetsblog USA

Metro Bus

Bus Ridership Declines Challenge Los Angeles

The Wall Street Journal reports that bus riders on the Los Angeles County Transportation Authority system has declined significantly in recent years.

August 29, 2019 - The Wall Street Journal

Texas Highways

Smart Congestion Costing: A Critical Evaluation of the 'Urban Mobility Report'

The new "Urban Mobility Report" provides widely-cited congestion cost estimates. However, its analysis is neither comprehensive nor objective. Anybody using these estimates should understand its omissions and biases.

August 29, 2019 - Todd Litman

Presidential Campaign

Message to Candidates: Don't Forget Car Dependence When Tackling Fossil Fuels

Car dependence will have to end for the most ambitious climate plans put forward by Democratic candidates for president to have the desired effect.

August 29, 2019 - Curbed

Alexandria, Virginia

A Car-Free Street Dream in Northern Virginia

The city of Alexandria has begun to explore the idea of transforming sections of King Street into a car-free pedestrian zone.

August 29, 2019 - Greater Greater Washington

Portland Interchange

Reports: Full Environmental Review Likely for Portland Freeway Widening Project

An initial environmental assessment for a project to widen I-5 in Portland claimed the project would improve air quality, congestion, and traffic safety. Critics of the project weren't convinced.

August 28, 2019 - Willamette Week

Pick-Up Truck

California Lawmaker Wants to Triple Electric Vehicle Rebates

Assemblyman Phil Ting seeks to dramatically increase the state electric vehicle sales rebate of $2,500, motivated in part by the phasing-out of the federal EV tax credit of $7,500. The bill rules out significant revenue sources.

August 28, 2019 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Passenger Drone

Flying Taxi Skepticism

A ride-hailing company that lost $5.2 billion in one quarter wants to launch a flying taxi service. According to this op-ed, cities should concentrate on expanding existing public transit systems instead of wasting time and money on pipe dreams.

August 28, 2019 - Streetsblog USA

Valley Metro Rail

Light Rail Plans Survive Election Challenge in Phoenix

An election to decide the fate of public transit planning in the city of Phoenix captured national attention as a bellwether for public opinion. Unofficial results have public transit winning with plenty of votes to spare.

August 28, 2019 - Arizona Republic

Bay Bridge

Potential Routes for New Bridge Across the Chesapeake Winnowed From 14 to 3

The Maryland Transportation Authority has been studying the potential of a new bridge across the Chesapeake Bay, connecting Annapolis to Queen Anne's County to the East.

August 28, 2019 - The Washington Post

Metro-North Railroad

New York MTA Looks to Suburban TODs as Funding Source

The agency is selling land outside of the city on a commuter rail line in a move that could become more common as a revenue-generating strategy.

August 28, 2019 - CityLab

Chicago Transit

A Tale of Two Estimates

While transit agency data shows ridership going down, Census data shows ridership going up. Why?

August 27, 2019 - Michael Lewyn

Scooter and Bike Share

It's Time To Reframe The Bike/Scooter Debate

We keep having one-off, divisive debates about bikes and scooters. But the real issue is how to accommodate "intermediate modes" (vehicles that go 10-15 mph for a mile or two) in a system that's not designed for them.

August 27, 2019 - Urban Edge

Energy Use

Study Promotes 'Better Biofuels' by Focusing on Waste Sources

There are many environmental benefits to bioenergy, particularly when the feedstock comes from waste, as opposed to agricultural products that could be used for food. A new study applies life cycle analysis to four types of waste matter.

August 27, 2019 - Daily Energy Insider

Ghost bike in New York

Horrific Cyclist's Death in Brooklyn Prompts Calls for New Thinking on Cars

José Alzorriz was killed while waiting on a bike at a red light. An SUV, T-boned by a red light-runner, literally flew into him.

August 27, 2019 - The New York Times

Lime Scooters

Chicago Dockless Scooters Used Across the City, New Study Shows

Data from the city's e-scooter pilot program show that they might be filling in the first-mile/last-mile gap for riders at all income levels.

August 27, 2019 - Streetsblog Chicago

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.