Transportation

Seattle Bus Rain

Substantial Changes for Move Seattle Plan

The reality of the Move Seattle is proving to be much less robust than the vision promised to voters who approved the $930 million levy in 2015.

December 4, 2018 - The Seattle Times

OC Streetcar Breaks Ground After Receiving Full Funding Grant Agreement

It's only the third full funding grant administration signed by Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. The $149 million capital investment grant will help fund the 4-mile modern streetcar line from Santa Ana to Garden Grove in Orange County, Calif.

December 4, 2018 - PR Newswire

Commuter Rail

Boston Region Looking for Commuter Rail Fixes

The North-South Rail Link has been under discussion in the Boston region for Decades now. A new 'Rail Vision' process continues the discussion again.

December 4, 2018 - Sentinel & Enterprise News

Grade Crossing

Train to Denver Airport Threatened with Closure over Crossing Gate Woes

The Federal Railroad Administration is threatening to revoke the waiver that allows the A-Line to operate with flaggers at grade crossings unless the Regional Transit District presents a plan by mid-month to fix the crossing gate problems.

December 3, 2018 - The Denver Post

The Peninsula

Late Election Result: Transportation Sales Tax Appears to Pass in San Mateo County, Calif.

Transportation advocates have been patiently waiting since Nov. 6 for the results of a half-cent, 30-year county sales tax measure, 50 percent of which would benefit Samtrans bus and Caltrain needs and 5% bike/ped. It needs 66.67% of votes to pass.

December 3, 2018 - Curbed SF

D.C. Streetcar

Study Casts Doubt on Streetcars' Ability to Spur Development

Examining Portland and Seattle's much-talked-about systems, the authors highlight the importance of treating streetcars as a viable transport option, rather than just a means to stimulate development.

December 3, 2018 - The Washington Post

Metro Gold LIne

Planned L.A. Crenshaw Line Rollout Prompts Argument

Already delayed, the Crenshaw Line has now sparked debate between stakeholders who favor opposing visions of how the light rail service should link up with the existing Green Line.

December 2, 2018 - The Los Angeles Times

Dallas Transit

Feds Let the Transit Funding Flow

It was a big week for long-awaited transit funding from the Federal Transit Administration.

December 2, 2018 - Smart Cities Dive

Pasadena Light Rail

Freeway's Demise Will Fund Light Rail Grade Crossing Improvements in Pasadena

The final nails have been put in the coffin of the I-710 extension, and now communities like Pasadena are getting ideas about how to spend Measure R funding once reserved for the unwanted freeway.

November 30, 2018 - Pasadena Star-News

Macron Protest

France Drops Road Tolling Plans Amid Fuel Tax Protests

Controversial London-style congestion pricing won't be coming to French cities due to concerns sparked by the 'Yellow Vest' protests over an upcoming fuel tax hike, but President Macron stated the fuel tax increases will go forward in January.

November 30, 2018 - Reuters

Los Angeles Bus Stop Sign

L.A. Bus Stops Improved by D.I.Y. Additions

A bench is a basic bus stop amenity, but many stops on Los Angeles’ Eastside lack them. One resident took on the task of putting in benches himself.

November 30, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

NYC-crosswalk

Pedestrian Scrambles Benefit Everyone Using Streets

While not yet widely implemented in the United States, scramble intersections make life considerably safer and easier for pedestrians and drivers.

November 30, 2018 - Strong Towns

Underground Parking

The Latest in Parking Technology: Parking-Space Sentries

A new smart-parking startup lets drivers claim spots, in the cloud and in physical space.

November 29, 2018 - Forbes

Electric Cars

Electric Vehicles Alone Will Not Reduce Emissions to Meet California's Climate Goal

According to a new report by the California Air Resources Board, even if electric vehicle sales were to increase tenfold, it would not reduce emissions from transportation enough to meet a 2030 climate goal. A major reduction in driving is needed.

November 29, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

Interstate 405

$43 Billion, 20-Year Transportation Plan Approved for Orange County, CA

Orange County, California has approved its 20-year transportation plan, which is designed to address an expected 60 percent increase in traffic.

November 29, 2018 - Smart Cities Dive

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Tardy Transit Funding Arrives in Los Angeles, Twin Cities

They had to wait the better part of a year, but two major transit projects finally have the funding Congress allocated in March.

November 29, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

American Car

Ford Follows GM to Prioritize SUVs

The efficient days of the post-auto industry bailout are over. American car companies are committing to larger, less efficient vehicles to keep up with the preferences of American consumers.

November 29, 2018 - Associated Press

Capitol Hill

House Democrats Prepared to Work with Trump Administration on Infrastructure

The incoming chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), points to gubernatorial races and a California ballot initiative to show there's no peril for legislators to hike the gas tax.

November 29, 2018 - Marketwatch

Interstate 65 Louisville

Ohio River Bridges Are More Than Just a Waste of Money, Says Critic

Aaron Renn says the bridge projects in and near Louisville, Kentucky, were too expensive and have not led to any positive transportation or economic results.

November 29, 2018 - Urbanophile

Arizona

315-Mile Loop Hiking Trail Complete in Maricopa County, Arizona

A hiking trail now makes a complete, 315-mile loop around Maricopa County in Arizona.

November 28, 2018 - Arizona Republic

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.