Transportation
Swiss Complete World's Longest, Deepest Tunnel in Record Time
The Gotthard base tunnel under the Swiss Alps is an "engineering tour-de-force" at 57.5 kilometres in length. Its nearest rival is the Seikan Tunnel in Japan, at 53.9 km.
Proposed $120 Billion Sales Tax Measure Polling Well in L.A. County
A single sales tax measure that would add a new half cent sales tax to fund transportation projects in Los Angeles County for 40 years, and extend an existing half-cent sales tax that terminates in 2039, is supported by at least 68 percent of voters.
Minneapolis Puts Pedestrians First in Adopting New Complete Streets Policy
Expanding on the complete streets policies that have come before it, the new Minneapolis complete streets policy prioritizes users: first pedestrians, then bikes, then transit, and, finally, cars.
U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer Writes in Favor of Self-Driving Cars
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), a famous advocate for alternative transportation, has thrown his support behind the epoch-changing potential of self-driving cars.
Op-Ed Supports Value Capture-Enabled Transit Investments
Two USC professors argue that Los Angeles would be better served if Metro could recapture some of its investment in the county's expanding rail system.
Women Spend More Time in Traffic Than Men
On average, women spend longer in traffic than men—perhaps because of the gendered division of labor that still exists in many households.
What If Buses Could Pass Over Cars?
The latest from China: a concept for street-straddling buses that cars could pass underneath. The giant vehicles could improve worsening traffic and already-dire pollution levels, taking the place of many conventional buses.
10 Ways to Make Cities Livable for the Elderly
How can the New Urban Agenda respect the elderly—and make cities better for all of us in the process?
Broward County, Florida to Select from Four Sales Tax Options on November Ballot
They could opt for a one percent, 30-year infrastructure tax, a .75 percent, 20-year transportation sales tax, approve both, or reject both. The two competing measures arise from differences between the county's 31 cities and county commissioners.
Highest Gas Prices are Lowest in 11 years
Yes, gas prices are both lowest and highest. When compared to past Memorial Day weekends, it's the lowest since 2005, and by no coincidence the highest amount of travelers will take to the roads since the same year. Guess what that is doing to VMT?
Inside the Mysteries of St. Paul's Wheelock Parkway
An exploration, historical and geographic, of St. Paul's Wheelock Parkway reveals the twists and turns of transportation infrastructure.
Meet Citi Bike's Top Users—Some Have Pedaled More than 4,000 Miles
Some users accrue more data than others.
New Bus Service to Alleviate Congestion Between Portland and Multnomah Falls
Even natural attractions outside of urban areas have parking shortages and congestion problems.
Huge Drop in California Cap-and-Trade Revenues—Could Market Be Collapsing?
'Huge' is an understatement. Revenues were less than 2 percent of what was forecasted. The uncertainty of the continuance of the program may be responsible. The plummet in revenues to high-speed rail adds to uncertainty of the $64 billion project.
Planetizen Week in Review: May 27, 2016
Planetizen Managing Editor James Brasuell shares some of the biggest news and announcements from the week in planning, land use, and related topics.
Ambivalence Over Dallas 'Deck Park' Proposal
As the Southern Gateway project moves forward in the state approval process, a component proposal for a cap park over Interstate 35E hangs in the balance.
The Sad Saga of Three East Coast Subways
With so much attention placed on the woes facing D.C. Metro, it's important to recognize that it is hardly the only subway facing critical infrastructure investment needs.
Uber and Lyft Could Be Ready to Exit Chicago, Too
After leaving Austin on the losing side of a regulatory battle, a licensing ordinance might push Uber and Lyft to end operations in Chicago.
Planning for the Future: How Do We Evaluate Impacts in a World of Uncertainty?
Will planning horizons of 25 to 30 years make sense as transportation technology speeds through unprecedented rates of innovation?
One Utility's Plan to Build Thousands of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Southern California Edison wants to add 1,500 public charging stations to its service area, potentially expanding the effort to 30,000 charging stations if all goes well.
Pagination
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