Transportation

Chevy Bolt

Are Reports Predicting a Future of Electric Vehicles Exaggerated?

David Yager, an oil industry consultant, writes that recent reports predicting electric vehicles will eventually outsell those with internal combustion engines are vastly exaggerated, notwithstanding national bans on future sales of such cars.

August 3, 2017 - Business Insider

Tilikum Crossing

A Unique Response to Transit Service Interruptions: Free Fares

Portland's TriMet is dealing with technical problems arising from a failed maintenance project and a record-breaking heat wave.

August 2, 2017 - The Oregonian

Adams Morgan District

Neighborhood Commission Wants a Car-Free Street in D.C.

A popular neighborhood in Washington, D.C. is looking for ways to make its main drag more pedestrian friendly.

August 2, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Electric Cars

Electrifying California: Volkswagen Settlement Approved

The biggest obstacle to the adoption of electric vehicles in California, a shortage of charging infrastructure, just became a lot more manageable thanks to $200 million from Volkswagen stemming the from the dieselgate settlement.

August 2, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

A Subway Station in the Middle of Nowhere

Chongqing train station has become famous in China for its extremely isolated location, but its construction illustrates the ambition of the country’s building spree.

August 1, 2017 - CNN

Jefferson park Blue Line Stop

Petition Circulating for Transit to Reach Obama's Presidential Library

Hyde Park resident launches signature campaign to rebuild the CTA's demolished Green Line to connect downtown Chicago with the future site of President Obama's Library.

August 1, 2017 - Streetsblog Chicago

Union Station

Light Rail Cannibalizing Commuter Rail in Southern California

New transit lines are usually intended to provide an alternative to driving. But what happens when a new train line provides an alternative to an older train line?

July 31, 2017 - San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Tailpipe

Another Nail in the Coffin of the Internal Combustion Engine?

Is the movement away from gasoline and diesel-powered cars unstoppable? In response to air pollution litigation, the British government announced on July 26 that sales of gasoline and diesel vehicles would be banned by 2040.

July 31, 2017 - The New York Times

Bike Lane Removed in Atlanta—Controversy Remains

The city of Atlanta received one of six grants totaling $100,000 from outdoor retailer REI to install a protected bike lane on Westview Drive. A year later the bike lane has been removed and the experience has inspired a lot of soul searching.

July 30, 2017 - WABE

Autonomous Vehicles and Streets: A Guide to Potential Impacts

As the arrival of autonomous vehicles (AVs) becomes more of a reality, cities need to start considering how this new technology will affect streets and street networks. This brief guide provides an overview and resources on this topic.

July 29, 2017 - Urbanism Next Blog - Sustainable Cities Initiative

Grid Bike Share

Next From China: Bikeshare Without the Station

Led by the companies Mobike and Ofo, so-called "dockless" bike sharing is all the rage in Chinese cities. Unlocked by app, the bikes can be left anywhere for the next user to pick up. There have been some hiccups.

July 28, 2017 - CNN Tech

Los Angeles Can't Stick to its Road Diet

A high-profile controversy over a decision by the city of Los Angeles to remove a vehicle lane in either direction has finally come to an end. The vehicle lanes will be restored.

July 28, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Capitol Hill

Senate Appropriations Committee Restores TIGER Grant Program

Unlike the House Appropriations Committee's DOT budget that reduces spending by almost 4 percent from current levels and eliminates the TIGER grant program, its Senate counterpart increased transportation spending, including the TIGER grant budget.

July 28, 2017 - The Hill

Speed Limit

Federal Safety Watchdog Takes a Position on Speeding Drivers

Streetsblog USA breaks the news of a major policy departure for the National Transportation Safety Board: speeding kills, and every level of government must do more to counter the problem.

July 28, 2017 - Streetsblog USA

San Diego

New Pedestrian Crossing Between California and Mexico Opening Next Week

The latest in a series of new pedestrian crossings at the Mexico-U.S. border between San Ysidro and El Chaparral opens on July 31.

July 27, 2017 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Wounded Warrior Ride

Portland's 'Adaptive Biketown' Sets a New Standard for Access to Mobility

The Adaptive Biketown system hit the streets in Portland on July 21, 2017.

July 27, 2017 - Bike Portland

Long-Awaited Hartford to New Haven Commuter Rail Expected in 2018

Starting in May 2018: 17 daily round trips between New Haven and Hartford, including 12 trips continuing on to Springfield.

July 27, 2017 - The Hartford Courant

Pedestrian Infrastructure

10 Facts That Explain Crosswalks

These examples are specific to Washington, D.C., but many of the facts listed in this article will apply elsewhere, too.

July 27, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Court Decision Forces Seattle to Improve Sidewalk Infrastructure

The city of Seattle has finally been compelled to maintain pedestrian infrastructure in keeping with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

July 26, 2017 - The Urbanist

SEPTA Bus

Philadelphia to Consider Bus System Redesign

Philadelphia is one of many American cities suddenly beset with declining bus ridership numbers, likely in part as a result of the popularity of transportation network companies.

July 26, 2017 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

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.