Transportation
First New Portland-Area Highway in 34 Years Opens Today
The sun rises on the new Sunrise Expressway in Oregon.
Debate: Why Did Trams Die in the 20th Century?
A Toronto professor pushes against Christian Wolmar's assertion that the tram's demise can be connected to anti-worker policy. For one thing, trams never went away in some cities.
Friday Funny: An Old Meme Scores Points Against New Transportation Tech
You remember the one showing the amount of space occupied by 60 people on a bike, 60 people on a bus, and 60 people in cars? It's also helpful for making a convenient point about Uber and self-driving cars.
Planetizen Week in Review: July 1, 2016
It will only take us two-and-a-half minutes to catch you up on the big planning news from the last week of June.
Florida Getting a New, Privately Funded Space Exploration Facility
Blue Origin, founded by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, is constructing a massive facility for building rockets in another sign of the future of space exploration.
New Jersey Assembly Approves Bipartisan Plan to Raise Gas Tax 23 Cents
New Jersey's 14.5-cent state gas tax, second lowest after Alaska's, may increase 23 cents thanks to a deal worked out between Assembly Democratic and Republican leaders and Gov. Chris Christie that reduces the sales tax. It now goes to the Senate.
Judge Throws Out Key Component of New York's Vision Zero Policy
Citing drivers for failure to "exercise due care" (administrative code 19-190) is a key enforcement tool of Mayor Bill de Blasio's Vision Zero policy, but a judge just threw it out.
Five State Gas Tax Changes Tomorrow
On July 1, two states will increase gas taxes, one will decrease its tax, and two will be adjusted downwards per state legislation, according to Carl Davis, research director at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP).
Volkswagen Settles in Cheating Scandal to the Tune of $16 Billion
It's been less than a year since Volkswagen got caught installing software on cars to cheat emissions testing. Today the company settled out of court—paying the bulk of a $16 billion settlement to vehicle owners.
Sweden to Test Overhead Power Lines for Heavy Transport
Electric roads (no, not solar powered pavement) will get a test run in Sweden.
It's the 60th Birthday of the Interstate Highway System
A new report commemorates the 60th birthday of the interstate highway system with statistics (some politically motivated) that summarize the state of the nation's largest public works project.
New York Launches New Pedestrian Safety Plan
The New York State Pedestrian Safety Action Plan will invest $110 million to improve pedestrian safety in the state of New York.
Greyhound as an Urban Place
Like train stations, Greyhound stations can be tolerable urban places- or they can be another example of suburban sprawl.
D.C. Metro to Layoff 500 Employees
More bad news for the beleaguered transit agency of our nation's capital, as declining ridership and prolonged service disruptions have now given way to large-scale layoffs throughout the organization.
Meet the New Generation of Trains Built for Florida's Brightline
Wired takes a tour of a Siemens factory in California tasked with the task of building the rolling stock for the forthcoming, privately-funded Brightline train line in Florida.
Ride-Hailing Services for Women, By Women
A new kind of transportation network company is offering peace of mind for female travelers.
Multimodal Transit Hub Planned for LAX
A light-rail link to the Los Angeles International Airport would accommodate bikes and buses, and could be here by 2021.
Smarter Taxi and Ride-Hailing Policies
Taxis, including new ride hailing services, play unique and important roles in an efficient and equitable transport systems. Let's support them with smart policies.
Hybrid and Electric Cars Take a Downturn in the Used Car Market
It's not just Americans favor SUVs and light truck over compact cars, but that a majority of EV and hybrid owners who have traded in their cars are opting for all-gas vehicles, and that spells trouble for meeting President Obama's climate goals.
Legislation Advanced to Release State Funding for Caltrain Electrification
As a result of a critical lawsuit that California high-speed rail opponents lost last March, a bill to release $1.1 billion in 2008 bond funds has been advanced to fund high-speed rail 'bookend' projects, particularly Caltrain electrification.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
