Transportation

Breaking Down D.C.'s Bike Commuter Map

A map of bike commuters also maps the political conflicts in a changing Washington, D.C.

February 10, 2016 - Greater Greater Washington

How to Make Bikeshare More Popular

While bikeshare is popular with planners and local officials all over the country, in some cities it still hasn't proven popular with people. One author has some thoughts on how bikeshare can begin to attract larger numbers.

February 9, 2016 - The Urban Edge

Toll Road Cautionary Tale: Florida's Suncoast Parkway

The Suncoast Parkway has produced $22 million a year in revenue after a consultant said it would bring in $150 million a year. Yet the Florida Department of Transportation wants to expand the road.

February 9, 2016 - Tampa Bay Times

A New Generation of Subway Cars Coming to New York

The first "open gangway" subway cars are due to arrive in New York in 2020. These cars enable passengers to freely walk between cars without having to struggle to open doors to access an adjacent car.

February 9, 2016 - The New York Times

$1.4 Million Needed to Bailout Seattle's Pronto! Bikeshare

After missing out on the latest round of TIGER grants and being stuck in acquisition limbo with the city of Seattle, the bikeshare system of Pronto is running out of money and time.

February 8, 2016 - The Seattle Times

Fresno State

How One University Will Become Less Car-Centric

Fresno State University in California has released plans for a suite of changes that will redefine its approach to transportation—away from a devout focus on cars and toward more transportation options.

February 8, 2016 - Stop and Move

Formidable Barriers Threaten Penn Station Renovation

Last month N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed that Empire Station replace Penn Station, but many challenging parts, e.g., the Hudson River Tunnels, moving Madison Square Garden, could derail it. A related piece delves into the prior ARC tunnel project.

February 7, 2016 - Fox Business

Garbage Truck

Minnesotans Clash Over Organized Trash Collection

Instead of letting trash collection companies compete to serve customers, several Minnesota cities are negotiating contracts on behalf of their citizens. The measure, which reduces garbage truck traffic, has prompted backlash.

February 7, 2016 - StarTribune

New Orleans Fire Truck

Why So Big? Rethinking Fire Truck Design

When they're not extinguishing actual flames, fire trucks can seem comically over-sized on city streets. Replacing portions of the fleet with smaller response vehicles might save money without sacrificing capability.

February 7, 2016 - CityLab

Uber Drivers to Protest on Super Sunday

It's easy to see why Uber would look on a Super Bowl hosted near its Bay Area home would look on the event as a large PR opportunity. Disgruntled Uber drivers see it the same way.

February 7, 2016 - Mother Jones

Tunnel Projects Pitched to Ease London's Traffic

London's mayor has proposed a solution to tackle the city's congestion and an expected population increase of 20 percent by 2030: build a system of tunnels to alleviate automobile traffic.

February 6, 2016 - The Guardian

Kayoola: Uganda's Solar Powered Bus

The Kiira Motor Corporation of Uganda has developed a 35-seat bus that includes solar panels on the roof. The bus travels up to 50 miles on two rechargeable batteries. Due to its limited range, the Kayoola is intended for inner-city travel.

February 6, 2016 - Grist

pallets of green oil barrels stacked

Obama's Bold Transportation Funding Proposal Likely to Go Nowhere

President Obama, long opposed to increasing the gas tax, has proposed a $10-per-barrel oil fee to be paid by energy companies. It will fund his 21st Century Clean Transportation System to reduce carbon emissions and promote new vehicle technology.

February 5, 2016 - Politico

What to Watch for on Super Bowl Sunday: Traffic

The contest on the gridiron might be of secondary consideration if the NFL and regional transportation planners can't manage the traffic to and from the game on Sunday.

February 5, 2016 - SFGate

Parking

A New Era of On-Street Parking Policies

The influence of Donald Shoup's classic book, "The High Cost of Free Parking," is becoming more and more apparent in more and more cities around the country.

February 5, 2016 - Pew Charitable Trusts

Georgetown-Rosslyn Gondola Proposal Gets a Funded Study

The idea of a gondola crossing the Potomac might still seem a little pie in the sky, but it has legs.

February 5, 2016 - The Washington Post

Streetcar Connection Between Queens and Brooklyn Proposed

Mayor Bill de Blasio is expected to announce ambitious plans for a 16-mile, $2.2 billion streetcar route to connect some of the city's up and coming, but still transit-light, neighborhoods.

February 4, 2016 - The New York Times

Volkswagen Submits Another Recall Plan for Diesel Cars

Volkswagen has already submitted its recall plan for its 2-liter diesel engines—it was rejected by both the EPA and California Air Resources Board. It also needed to submit a recall plan for 3-liter diesel engines to CARB by Feb. 2, which it did.

February 4, 2016 - Bloomberg Business

Highway Construction

The Little-Known Pollutant That Could Finally Reprioritize Transportation Projects

When the public learns that freeway pollution discriminates against nearby residents with devastating health consequences, the tide of public opinion will finally turn against the automobile—a call to action by Bill Adams.

February 4, 2016 - UrbDeZine

Feds Coming Around to Level of Service Reform

Streetsblog USA notes that the federal government is following the lead of California in awakening to the negative effects of Level of Service.

February 3, 2016 - Streetsblog USA

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.