Transportation
Electric Vehicles Not Welcome in Europe
It may seem odd that the continent of high gas taxes and strong environmental ethos would not take to electric vehicles. Focusing on the news that Renault will delay the release of a new EV, AutoblogGreen explores the poor sales of EVs in Europe.
Public Space as Pedestrian Facility: Comparing New York City and Paris
Paris and New York City are two of the world's more successful pedestrian cities, with each boasting several kinds of data that show the predominance of alternative transportation. An article compares public space in each for lessons.
After Five-Year Wait, Keystone XL Builder Exploring Rail Options
Keystone XL pipeline builder TransCanada is in the business of transporting oil to its customers, preferably by pipelines, but it's CEO has stated for the first time it will turn to "more costly and and controversial rail" to fill the pipeline gap.
Parking Propels Real Estate Bubble in Beijing
What's causing underground parking spaces to go for $160,000 in Beijing? Quartz reports that demand, narrow roads, resident disenfranchisement and old zoning law give developers the upper-hand.
Planners Working on a Road Diet Sea Change in Houston
Planners in Houston are working on street configurations in large swaths of the city. The plans reflect Mayor Annise Parker's recent executive order to embrace complete streets as well as a growing demand among residents for walkable, safe streets.
Where Can Tesla Sell Cars? (And Where Can Tesla Not Sell Cars?)
The direct sales model of Tesla has led many states, at the behest of auto dealer interests, to block the sale of the vehicles. Treehugger drew up a map to give a clear picture of where Tesla is welcome.
Transit Planning for the Future of the Brooklyn-Queens Waterfront
The Brooklyn-Queens Waterfront is amidst a radical change—massive housing projects, celebrated parks, and new jobs by the thousands. One writer calls for transit planning now, to support the waterfront of the future.
Will Driverless Cars Spell Doom for Law Enforcement Budgets?
What happens to law-enforcement budget (and, for that matter, municipal budgets) in a future of law-abiding driverless cars?
First Responders Not Prepared for Oil Train Explosions Despite Emergency Order
Notwithstanding an emergency order DOT issued on May 7 that railroads must provide cities oil train information, secrecy continues to cloak the transport of hazardous oil shipments leaving first responders ill-prepared to handle fiery explosions.
Continuing the Fire Safety vs. Urban Design Debate
A dense network of streets creates the conditions for faster response times. Better pedestrian and automobile safety and excellent response times is a win-win. So why are fire officials undermining this network with calls for wider streets?
Making Biking Cool for Kids
A three-year bike-to-school initiative in Europe encourages children to bike to school.
Paris Plans to Adopt Citywide Slow Speed Zone
A blog post by Eric Britton covers Mayor Madame Anne Hidalgo's plans to adopt a 30 kilometer per hour (approximately 20 miles per hour) maximum speed limit in Paris.
Montreal Will Turn Two Residential Streets Into Cycle Streets
In Montreal, the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough unveiled an ambitious plan to make streets safer for people on foot and bikes by securing pedestrian crossings, and creating new bike paths as well as two "cycle streets" — where bikes have priority.
In Search of the Right Fit for Bus Stops on Virginia's Columbia Pike
A controversy over the "million-dollar bus stop" in Arlington prompted one writer to examine the size and scale of bus stops. It's a cost consideration that can determine the choice, in some cases, between bus rapid transit and streetcars.
An Electric Car the CEO Doesn't Want You to Buy
Please, don't buy the Fiat 500 E, stated Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne during his presentation on a Brookings panel on May 20. It's not because it's a bad car—it's because his company loses $14,000 on every sale.
DIY Bus Company Delivers Badly Needed Transit Service in Detroit
NationSwell tells the story of the Detroit Bus Company, which provides free transit services to neighborhoods in need around Detroit.
$2.1 Billion in Federal Transit Funding for the 'Subway to the Sea' in Los Angeles
Los Angeles will receive its largest-ever federal grant, $1.25 billion, to help fund the Purple Line subway, aka the "Subway to the Sea." Also on its way is an $856 million loan from the TIFIA program.
New TxDOT Head Will Focus on Traffic Safety, Alternative Modes
The Texas Transportation Commission's choice to run the Texas Department of Transportation is a former Marine Corps lieutenant general with a progressive take on the state's transportation challenges.
'Dangerous by Design' Paints Bleak Portrait of Pedestrian Safety
A report by Smart Growth America and the National Complete Streets Coalition ranked the danger to pedestrians in metro areas around the country. The report finds the metro areas of the Sun Belt are the least safe to be the least safe places to walk.
Evaluating Public Transport Funding Options
Many jurisdictions need additional funding to improve, or just maintain, their public transport services. A timely new study evaluates eighteen potential funding options according to eight criteria.
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
