Transportation

Trails Win Big in Florida's 2015-16 State Budget

Florida Governor Rick Scott approved a $78 billion state budget last week, which includes $25 million for a statewide network of non-motorized trails.

July 1, 2015 - Reuters

Commute

Economic Underperformance Tied to Bad Commutes

The price of long commutes can't just be measured in lost hours. Income segregation, job sprawl, and the resulting negative feedback on families eats into overall economic and social well-being.

June 30, 2015 - Chicago Magazine

12-Cent Gas Tax Increase Deal in Washington State

The Associated Press reports that while the exact details of the compromise plan that involve an 11.9-cent gas tax increase have yet to be released, the deal affects Gov. Jay Inslee's proposed low carbon fuel standard.

June 30, 2015 - Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Transportation Spending and Taxing Considered by Key Senate Committee

When Congress returns from the July 4 recess, they will have less than four weeks to pass and fund a transportation bill—be it for six years, as desired by transportation advocates, or less, as Senate Finance Committee Chair Orrin Hatch prefers.

June 30, 2015 - The Hill

Baltimore Rail

Op-Ed: Maryland Governor Is No Friend to Transit

According to this editorial, Governor Larry Hogan's decision to halt a planned $2.9 billion light rail line betrays a politically-motivated preference for roads.

June 30, 2015 - Baltimore Sun

Latest FHWA Data Shows Vehicle Miles Traveled Continue to Increase

Those who thought peak VMT was in the rear view mirror will be disappointed in new data from the Federal Highway Administration.

June 29, 2015 - AASHTO Journal

Phoenix Mayor Advocates Self-Reliance Due to Federal Gridlock

Frustrated with Congress' inability to fund a six-year transportation bill, Mayor Greg Stanton is backing an August sales tax measure to expand light rail. Stanton also discusses climate change and water rights in the article and accompanying videos

June 29, 2015 - The Washington Post

Seattle Streetcar

Op-Ed: Streetcars Should Actually Serve Locals

While they're currently in vogue, streetcars are only worthwhile if they can be a viable option for local residents. Unfortunately, this is rarely how the systems are designed.

June 29, 2015 - ULI Urban Land Magazine

Houten Train Station

Houten, Netherlands: Where Cars and Bikes Coexist

Well-known in transportation planning circles, Houten's suburban multi-modality can be found almost nowhere else. Perimeter ring roads, train access, and bike-friendly features have cut car trips down to 44 percent.

June 29, 2015 - CityLab

NYC Subway Construction

Debate Over Proposed Utica Avenue Subway Line

One of the suggestions in Mayor Bill de Blasio's OneNYC citywide plan is nothing new: an oft-proposed subway extension down Utica Avenue in Brooklyn. Some question whether the area's relatively low density warrants such an expense.

June 28, 2015 - the transport politic

Downtown Pittsburgh Stakeholders Pitch Shared Streets

It's an early idea, but Pittsburgh, with support from transportation planners and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, could be the next U.S. city to consider the shared streets concept.

June 28, 2015 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

New Crude-by-Rail Rule Restricts Access to Information

A May 1 Federal Railroad Administration rule on moving crude by rail was supposed to make routing information more accessible to the the public, but due to lobbying by the rail industry, it will do just the opposite.

June 27, 2015 - McClatchy Washington Bureau

Drinking and Peddling Is Legal in Cincinnati (Yes, There's a Catch)

Drinking and riding isn't legal for everyone—but it is legal on a vehicle known as the Pedal Wagon, which seats 15 people around a mobile bar, thanks to a new state law.

June 27, 2015 - Cincinnati Business Courier

Toronto's New Complete Street: For Everyone, By Everyone

A complete streets makeover for a stretch of Queens Quay in Toronto earns high praise.

June 27, 2015 - Toronto Star

Gothenburg Sweden

Way to Go, Göteborg!

Smart cities around the world are finding creative ways to make walking, cycling, public transit, carsharing and delivery services more attractive and efficient. Way to go!

June 26, 2015 - Todd Litman

Confederate Flag Debate Spreading to Federal Transportation Funding

An Ohio Senator hopes to use the transportation reauthorization bill to motivate states that issue license plates bearing the Confederate flag to remove them. A week ago the Supreme Court ruled states can do so without violating the first amendment.

June 26, 2015 - Cincinnati Enquirer

Danger

Cities Lose Supreme Court Case on Sign Regulation

The Supreme Court, in two separate opinions, unanimously ruled on June 18 against an Arizona town's sign regulation that denied the placement of a street sign based on its content. At question was a sign directing passers-by to a church service.

June 26, 2015 - The Washington Post

Big Challenges Ahead for Chicago's O'Hare Airport

After spending $10 billion since 2005 on capital improvements, Chicago's O'Hare is still losing business to competitors along with the battle of public opinion.

June 26, 2015 - Chicago Tribune

Friday Funny: All Signs Point to a Miserable Commute

Finally a road sign that tells it like it is.

June 26, 2015 - The New Yorker

Inflation, not Fuel Efficiency, Is Main Flaw of Gas Tax

Yes, vehicles have become more fuel efficient, but a just-released report by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy shows that inflation is 3.5 times more responsible for the decline in the purchasing power of the gas tax.

June 25, 2015 - Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy

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.

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A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.