Transportation

Feds Approve Passenger Rail Expansion From West Palm Beach To Orlando
Brightline launching service to Miami and start construction on Phase 2 expansion to Orlando in early 2018.

Toronto Extends its Subway for the First Time in 15 Years
Fanfare, a full slate of politicians, and a day of free rides celebrated the opening of the extended Line 1 of the TTC subway system. There was also criticism of the new extension.

Focus on Positive Train Control after Amtrak Train 501 Derails in Washington
Excessive speed is thought to be the cause of the deadly derailment on Dec. 18. Positive train control, which likely would have slowed down the train, was installed on the tracks and locomotive but was not yet operational.

Elevated Expressway Proposal Goes Bust in Las Vegas
A proposal to build an elevated expressway to provide passage for cars to and from the McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas has folded.

The Best New Bike Infrastructure of 2017
PeopleForBikes surveys the best new additions to bike networks around the country, and finds a lot to celebrate.

A Guide to Complete Streets
The needs that drive complete streets policy are as unique as the communities they have taken root, but effective complete streets programs do share a few common traits.

Chicago Transit Authority Approves Fare Hike
The Chicago Transit Authority Board voted unanimously to raise fares, despite shrinking ridership.

A New Way to Explore Local Transit Ridership Data
TransitCenter has released a new National Ridership Map.

News Roundup: The Power Outage That Shut Down the Atlanta Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the busiest airport in the world, was crippled by a total power outage over the weekend. The airport is now working to catch up before holiday travel peaks.

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.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie