Transportation

Colorado DOT Issues Final Report on Road Usage Charge Pilot Program
Most of the 150 volunteers who participated in the 4-month program were pleased. Simulated invoices charged for vehicle-miles traveled after gas taxes paid were credited. Three technologies, including one with GPS, were available to record mileage.

Huge Toll Lane Setback in Texas
In a landmark, unanimous vote, the Texas Transportation Commission eliminated all 15 express lane projects from their 10-year capital plan despite pleas from Austin area officials to retain the $8 billion, I-35 project that includes four toll lanes.

A New Traffic Safety Paradigm
Despite numerous traffic safety programs, traffic death rates have not declined in a decade and recently started to increase. We can do better! A new paradigm identifies additional safety strategies that reduce both crash rates and risk exposure.

*New Amtrak Train Derails On Highway Overpass Outside of Seattle, Killing 3
The first southbound train on of the newly routed Amtrak Cascades Seattle-to-Portland service derailed on a highway overpass on Monday morning, with two passenger cars falling onto southbound Interstate 5, striking motor vehicles.

Study: Uber Replacing Ambulances Nationwide
An ambulance ride can cost thousands of dollars—even surge pricing won't top that (most of the time.)

In Phoenix, Sustainability Will Be Built by Node
If the desert metropolis wants to survive, it will need a strategy built on something other than a denser, more urban downtown.

Streetcar from St. Paul to Airport Takes an Initial Step Forward
Regional interests around the Twin Cities are considering a proposal that would connect St. Paul to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the city of Bloomington by streetcar.

More Buses Will Travel on the Shoulder to Skip Traffic in Seattle
Soon, Sound Transit buses will start traveling on the shoulder to skip a perpetually congested stretch of I-5. Over a dozen Sound Transit and Community Transit express routes operate on the 2.5-mile stretch.
Nominate the 'Best Urban Street Transformation' of 2017
Streetsblog USA is seeking nominations.
Public is Receptive to Plans for Express Lanes on Hwy 101 in Bay Area
Caltrans hopes to build two 14-mile high-occupancy toll lanes on Hwy 101 in San Mateo County, one of the region's most congested corridors that lacks carpool lanes. The $534 million project would begin construction in 2019.

Boston Turns to Tactical Urbanism to Improve Bus Service
A particularly frustrating 1.2-mile stretch became a whole lot smoother when simple orange cones turned a parking lane and a bike lane into a lane for buses.

Friday Eye Candy: Cities Break Out the Festive Buses for the Holidays
Check out the holiday-themed buses rolling through the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and the Detroit Department of Transportation systems.

California to Explore Next Steps in Converting From Gas Tax to Road Charge
A summary report of California's 9-month pilot program to test the use of a mileage charge to replace the gas tax to fund road infrastructure has been released. Next steps include exploring available technology to implement the road charge.

Florida Proposes an 'Alternative Transportation Authority'
With billions of research dollars at stake, Florida making inroads towards becoming the leader in autonomous vehicle technology.

Modal Friction on the Brooklyn Bridge
The popularity of crossing New York City's second oldest bridge by foot and pedal is causing friction between the two modes on the promenade above six lanes of motor vehicle traffic. A report released for NYCDOT proposes recommendations.
As the State Abandons Public Transit, Is a Regional Solution Possible for Northeast Ohio?
Many states cover around 20 percent of the costs of public transit. In Ohio, that figure has dropped to 1 percent.

Many New Yorkers Face Punishing Transit Commutes
As sky-high real estate prices force many lower-income New Yorkers to the periphery, they're paying an additional price in lengthy transit commutes. Meanwhile, real estate interests that benefit from transit investment bear few of its costs.

How London's Leading on Transit Data
Transport for London is forging ahead on several projects to collect and use more rider data. One initiative draws on WiFi connections to map users' paths through the London Underground.

Bay Area Express Lanes Turn a Profit
Not all of them, just the I-580 lanes. One of the reasons is that most users are actually paying, unlike the other two express lanes where a majority of users are clean-air vehicles or carpools, neither of which pay.

FTA Launches Five-Year Study of Benefits of Vehicle Automation to Public Transit
Much of the scientific inquiry into the potential effects of automated vehicles has focused on ride hailing and transportation networking companies. What about good old-fashioned buses?
Pagination
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.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions