Transportation

Study: Transit, Density Can't Overcome Sprawl on Carbon Emissions
A new study explains how building new transit and density along transit corridors isn't enough alone to reduce carbon emissions in metropolitan areas.

'Two-Ways' to Fix Our Neighborhoods
Expanding on earlier research about the impacts of one-way streets on outcomes such as public health and property values, a new study examines a citywide case study in Louisville.

U.S. Subway Car Design Behind the Curve
Yonah Freemark examines U.S. subway systems and notes the lack of "open gangways" (i.e., the space between the cars). Only in the U.S. do doors separate cars. What gives?
One Town's Crackdown on Sidewalk Bikers
As Columbia, Missouri prepares to crackdown on bikers riding on sidewalks in the city's business district, not much attention is given to their safety on the street.
How to Get Los Angeles' Jewish Communities on the Bus
Jewish communities in Los Angeles, though well served by public transit, tend to shy away from buses and trains. It's a familiar trend that's due for a change.

Is Travel Behavior Changing? What the New Data Says
Over the past few weeks, the Federal Highway Administration released new data reporting annual 2014 travel levels, and analysts are busy interpreting and, in some cases, spinning the results.
Better Streets: Whatchu Whatchu Whatchu Want?
Public support of people-friendly infrastructure is not automatic. Get your streets right by getting the conversation right. (Includes lots of great shareable graphics.)

First 'Parking-Protected' Bike Lane Opens in Los Angeles
The parking-protected bike lane on Reseda Boulevard in the Northridge neighborhood of the city of Los Angeles opened to bicycles on April 2. Also, Detroit broke ground on its first protected bike lanes—with or without the parking protection.
Highway Trust Fund Expiration Pushed Back to July or August
Congress just got one or two months of extra breathing room to keep the Highway Trust Fund solvent. Heretofore the patch bill was said to exhaust its funding on May 31, but the new word from Transportation Secretary Foxx is that it will be later.

Suburbs Try to Figure Out Transit
Of the many reasons why the suburban lifestyle is falling out of favor with young Americans, reliance on automobiles is near the top of the list. Some suburbs are now figuring out that, to attract Millennials, they must also invest in better transit.
Report: Michigan's Roads Go from 'Poor to Terrible'
Michigan—the state that spends less per capita on its roads than every other state—just got bad news about the state of its roads. Will it be enough to convince voters to pass a sales tax initiative to generate $1.2 billion in funding for roads?
Bay Area Bike Share Poised to Grow from 700 to 7,000 Bikes
The regional system would expand to the the East Bay cities of Berkeley, Oakland and Emeryville. Bikes would be added in San Jose and San Francisco.

Fitness Apps Are the New Planning Tool
Many smartphone users have a fitness app that they use to track their routes and progress on fitness goals. The data in these apps is a gold mine for planners, helping lead to better infrastructure investments.
Georgia to Increase Gas Tax Through Conversion to Excise Tax
Gov. Nathan Deal will sign legislation to increase gas taxes through a state sales tax conversion to an excise tax. With new weight-based truck fees, motel fees, and electric vehicle fees, it will add $1 billion in new transportation funding.
Learning from London's Mobility Achievements
Transport for London has a remarkable span of jurisdiction over transportation in the city—allowing TFL to pursue innovative projects with a relative degree of ease.
Obama Administration Drafts Transportation Bill; May 31 Deadline Looms
In all likelihood the $478 billion transportation bill proposed by the Obama Administration earlier this week is dead on arrival. But can the federal government get a long-term bill together by the May 31 deadline?

Florida Transportation Official Has Work Cut Out for Him
Florida would seem to be the ideal place for walking and biking. It's flat as can be. But the state developed very much with the car in mind. Billy Hattaway, at the Florida Dept. of Transportation, wants to change that.
Metro's Latest Light Rail Crash Sparks Rail Safety Debate
The March 28 crash on Metro's extensive light rail system shouldn't have happened. All the safety measures acted as they should have. Could more have been done to prevent the motorist's fateful turn across the tracks as a train approached?
Big Changes, Additions for Citi Bike
Big changes are taking place at Citi Bike as the Big Apple looks to improve on its earliest efforts at bikeshare.
Data, Communications, and the Future of Urban Mobility
Qualcomm and Arup recently published a report on their vision for the future of connected cities. We spoke to Chris Luebkeman, Arup Fellow and Global Director of Foresight, Research and Innovation, and Qualcomm's Kiva Allgood to learn more.
Pagination
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)