Transportation

Union Station Chicago

First on Chicago's Wish List from the Trump Administration: $1 Billion for Union Station

The Emanuel Administration has yet to secure needed funding for a big project to update Chicago's Union Station. Now it's up to the Trump Administration to supply a needed loan.

January 14, 2017 - Crain's Chicago Business

Sacramento

The Details of Sacramento's Proposed Downtown Streetcar Line

The cities of West Sacramento and Sacramento have high hopes for a streetcar line planned for some of the most beautiful and urban neighborhoods in the region. The Trump Administration could still change the course of the project, however.

January 13, 2017 - The Sacramento Bee

Tailpipe

New Player in Dieselgate

Similar violation but new player—Fiat Chrysler, accused by U.S. EPA of willfully violating emissions standards for certain models of diesel Jeeps and Ram pickups. The charge comes a day after DOJ settled civil and criminal suits with Volkswagen.

January 13, 2017 - The New York Times

Portland Transit

Portland Becomes a Testing Ground for App Based Transportation

German multinational Daimler is investing heavily in how people will get around in the future and using Portland, Oregon as a test bed for its plans

January 13, 2017 - The Oregonian

Green Line

The Green Line: a Boon to Washington, D.C.

How has the Green Line benefitted the economy of Washington, D.C.? A new report counts the ways.

January 13, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Green Line, Los Angeles

Review of November 2016 Transportation Ballot Measures

About 50 transportation measures appeared on local ballots on November 8, 2016. To date, Planetizen reviewed outcomes in nine regions in six states. Here we compare the measures in terms of revenue, taxes, projects, and reasons for failure.

January 12, 2017 - Planetizen

Meet the New Federal Committee on Automation

The U.S. Department of Transportation a new Federal Committee on Automation, gathering 25 experts in the field of vehicle technology to help keep the government in front of a rapidly approaching era.

January 12, 2017 - U.S. Department Of Transportation

No Walking

Florida Home to 8 of the 10 Deadliest Cities for Pedestrians

Smart Growth America has released its annual Dangerous by Design report, showing that many older, car-oriented cities are the country's most dangerous.

January 12, 2017 - Curbed

Sorriest Bus Stop

Study: It's Easier to Wait for Transit in a Nice Place

While that headline might seem obvious, how many well-located, pleasant bus stops are you aware of?

January 12, 2017 - Streetsblog USA

Champs-Elysees

Less and Less of Paris Open to Cars

Paris Mayor Anne Hildalgo announced a new plan to further restrict cars and trucks from the city center.

January 12, 2017 - The Independent

Uber

Uber Releases Some of its Coveted Trip Data

Uber is offering a peak at its data in the hopes of contributing to a more informed transportation planning process.

January 12, 2017 - CityLab

AirTrain

The Impossible Dream: A One-Seat Ride to JFK

The goal of someday getting on a train in Manhattan and getting off the same train at JKFK International Airport might seem impossible, but it's not. It would be expensive and difficult, however.

January 11, 2017 - RPA Lab

Gas Pump

New Year's Day State Gas Tax Increases, Decreases, and What Lies Ahead

Pennsylvania, the state that had the highest gas tax last year, saw the highest gas tax increase of 7.9 cents per gallon, the final increment of a 2013 law. Michigan's 7.3 cents tax increase, signed into law in 2015, is the second largest increase.

January 11, 2017 - Tax Justice Blog

Empty Carpool Lane

2016: Year of the Sports Utility Vehicle

Last year set two notable vehicle records. First, the most cars ever sold, at 17.54 million. Second, light trucks accounted for almost 61 percent of all sales. Sales of more fuel efficient car fell, though electric vehicle sales increased.

January 10, 2017 - The Drive

GMC Fishbowl

Feds End Financial Restrictions on Detroit's Bus System

The Federal Transit Authority is calling the Detroit Department of Transportation in from the cold.

January 10, 2017 - Detroit Free Press

Traffic Light

New Ohio Law Allows Drivers to Run Red Lights

The new law couldn't reasonably be described as an "Idaho Stop" for cars, but it's still worth questioning the wisdom of opening a traffic safety grey area.

January 10, 2017 - NBC 24

Crowd Community Meeting

Good Jargon and Bad

Some planning jargon actually clarifies rather than confuses.

January 10, 2017 - Michael Lewyn

Chicago Gets a $1.1 Billion Federal Grant for North Side Transit Improvements

The city of Chicago was working hard to win the federal funding while the Obama Administration is still in power.

January 9, 2017 - The Chicago Tribune

Congestion versus mobility

Debate Renewed: Can Uber and Lyft Solve Congestion?

A new study predicts the congestion relief benefits of carpooling services offered by Transportation Network Companies. A skeptical audience replies.

January 9, 2017 - San Jose Mercury News

Subway Quiz: What Long-Awaited Line Opened Four Days Before the Second Ave Subway?

The 4.6-mile subway operates like some AirTrains in the U.S. that automatically whisk travelers between airport terminals without drivers and with platform screen doors at stations for enhanced safety. Where is the new line located?

January 9, 2017 - South China Morning Post

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.