Transportation

Gas and Bikes

Deep Cut Proposed for California's Gas Tax

A proposal to cut the gas tax by 21 percent would dig a huge hole in the state's transportation budget. It comes from a requirement in 2010 fuel tax swap legislation that doubled the excise tax while reducing the sales tax on gas by 6 percent.

February 19, 2015 - U-T San Diego

I-94 to Expand Out (Not Up) in Milwaukee

Wisconsin state transportation officials have settled on a plan to expand the I-94 freeway in Milwaukee—instead of building a double deck freeway through a cemetery the plan is too widen the freeway without disturbing an human remains.

February 19, 2015 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Funding Questions Loom for Montgomery County's BRT Plans

Even when a community has thrown its full support behind a transit project, questions of funding and operations can create controversy. The next few months will be worth watching for Montgomery County, Maryland's proposed BRT system.

February 19, 2015 - Greater Greater Washington

Austin Texas

How Austin Paved Paradise and Put up a Parking Lot

A local blogger takes umbrage with claims that Austin's density is causing its traffic problems. The obvious problem with that argument: Austin is 68% as dense now as it was in 1950.

February 18, 2015 - Car Free Austin

Can Taxis Survive Competition from the Sharing Economy?

Two experts consider the future of cab companies in the age of Uber and Lyft.

February 18, 2015 - The Planning Report

Oil Train Derailment in W.Va. Results in Fiery Explosion and Oil Spill

A 109-car oil train carrying crude from North Dakota derailed Monday afternoon, causing a fireball that was still burning Tuesday morning. Initial reports had at least one tanker leaking oil into a tributary of the Kanawha River, closing water plants

February 17, 2015 - The Charleston Gazette

Changing the 'How' and the 'What' in Infrastructure Spending

When it comes to infrastructure, we are frequently reminded of the consequences of not repairing roads and bridges. Two prolific transportation writers recently changed the focus to where the money is spent.

February 17, 2015 - CityLab

The Best and the Worst Airports to Access

If you want great access to an airport, go overseas—that's the main finding of a study by Golden Gateway Alliance, a Manhattan-based airport advocacy organization. Tied for dead-last in terms of access is Denver and a certain New York airport.

February 17, 2015 - New York Post

Helmet Camera

Ready, Set, Action: Using 'Active Lifestyle Cameras' in Planning

Active Lifestyle Cameras are increasing in popularity—allowing for people to capture the moment on camera while in action. Now planners can use active lifestyle cameras to study all manner of activities, from use of parks to commuting.

February 17, 2015 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

Atlanta Voters to Decide on $250 Million Infrastructure Bond

States aren't the only ones looking for new ways to fund crumbling transportation infrastructure. Atlanta voters, for instance, will consider a $250 infrastructure bond proposal in the March election.

February 16, 2015 - Atlanta Creative Loafing

Report: Divvy Proving Safe for Chicago Bikers

DNAInfo Chicago reports on new data showing the relative safety of bikeshare operations in Chicago.

February 16, 2015 - DNAinfo Chicago

Crowdfunding Campaign Raises Money and Awareness for Boston's MBTA

A Boston resident has launched a not totally-serious crowdfunding page called "Modernizing Boston's Transit" to help raise the $30 billion needed to fix the MBTA.

February 16, 2015 - BostInno

Houston Approves Transit System Reimagining Plan

Jarrett Walker shares the news that the city of Houston gave final approval to overhaul its public transit system, including the implementation of a frequent network grid. The changes are expected to be complete by August 2015.

February 15, 2015 - Human Transit

GOP Lawmakers Target the Federal Transit Subsidy for Cuts

A transit subsidy established in 1983 during the Reagan Administration is under attack by GOP lawmakers in Washington D.C.

February 15, 2015 - The Hill

Failing Infrastructure Strikes the Beltway

Driving under a structurally deficient bridge took on a whole new meaning, even for those with the Beltway, when concrete fell on a passing vehicle under a bridge awaiting repair in Prince George's County, Md. on Feb. 10. The driver was OK.

February 15, 2015 - The Washington Post

Sorriest Bus Stop

Weekend Ignominy: the Worst Bus Stop in the United States

You, the voters, have decided: The worst bus stop in the United States is located in St. Louis, Missouri.

February 13, 2015 - Streetsblog USA

Pop Up Plaza in Louisville

Part Two: Should MoMA Tout Tactical Urbanism(s) as a Solution to Uneven Growth?

The second and final post about MoMa's exhibit, "Uneven Growth: Tactical Urbanisms for Expanding Megacities."

February 13, 2015 - Mike Lydon

Japan High Speed Rail

Fast Train To Big D

Many citizens in independent-minded Texas may not like the idea of spending $10 billion on high speed rail. Backers in Dallas, though, have begun to dream up big plans for a station area to serve Texas Central Railway.

February 13, 2015 - Dallas Morning News

New Jersey's Transportation Legacy: Cheap Gas, Bad Roads and Bridges

NPR reports on the incipient movement among a dozen states considering raising gas taxes. It centers on New Jersey which arguably illustrates best the need to raise gas taxes to maintain roads and bridges, but it won't be easy, as the interviews show

February 13, 2015 - NPR

Tracking the Growth of U.S. Bikeshare Systems

A post on Greater Greater Washington takes inventory of the nation's bikeshare system, finding steady growth in the number of bikshare systems in 2014, but not the explosive growth of 2013.

February 12, 2015 - Greater Greater Washington

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.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

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