Transportation

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

New York Subway Stairs

N.Y.C. Initiative Seeks to Connect Homeless on Transit with Social Services

The city is expanding outreach to homeless people in order to move them off the subway and steer them toward housing and social services.

August 27, 2019 - Smart Cities Dive

Second Avenue Subway

Trump's Confusing Tweet Offers to Help Complete the Second Avenue Subway in New York

While the state of New York would surely lover federal help in building out several infrastructure projects around New York City, a tweet from President Trump over the weekend seemed to overpromise regarding the Second Avenue Subway.

August 26, 2019 - Crain's New York Business

TriMet Portland

New Questions Around Portland-Area Light Rail Project

A proposed rail line would run from downtown Portland, Oregon, to the suburbs. The budget has increased significantly, and many funding and project scope questions remain.

August 26, 2019 - Oregon Live

Megabus

Virginia Intercity Buses Exceed Ridership Estimates By 200 Percent

The Virginia Breeze intercity bus service has vastly exceeded original ridership estimates since its launch in late 2017. Two more lines are slated to launch in the spring or summer of next year.

August 26, 2019 - Greater Greater Washington

Bike Lane New York

Vision Zero Is Not Improving Bike Safety

The initiative focuses on safety, but fatalities are up and ridership growth is down in New York City. How is Vision Zero missing the mark?

August 26, 2019 - Jalopnik

Straphangers

The Joy of Public Transit

Public transit, with service to joy, freedom, and virtue.

August 25, 2019 - James Brasuell

St. Paul, Minnesota

New U.S. DOT Policy Limits Page Length of Environmental Impact Statements

The U.S. Department of Transportation is following through President Trump's promises to ease the federal government's permitting and approvals processes for infrastructure projects.

August 25, 2019 - Politico

A Supervia train in Rio de Janeiro

Brazilian Train Service Bought by Japanese Group

A majority stake of Supervia, a train service in suburban Rio de Janiero, now belongs to a Japanese consortium.

August 24, 2019 - Railway Gazette

Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham Gets New Buses as Part of Plan to Improve Transit

Birmingham, Alabama is buying 15 new buses to run on a planned bus rapid transit route.

August 24, 2019 - ABC 33/40

Electric Car Charging Stencil

Automakers Required to Increase EV Sales in Colorado

Due to the adoption of the Zero-Emission Vehicle standard by the state's air quality commission last week, there will be a much greater selection of electric vehicles available for interested Colorado consumers. Sales should reach 5% by 2023.

August 23, 2019 - NGT News

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.

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.