Transportation

Conservative Columnist Promotes $1 Gas Tax Alternative

Charles Krauthammer offers his own brand of gas tax hike that differs from others mentioned recently. One, it's much bigger. Two, revenues won't be used for transportation. It would be revenue neutral; all funds would be returned to taxpayers.

January 17, 2015 - The Washington Post

Metro Map

Pop Quiz: Can You Name Cities from their Transit Maps?

What better way to wind down from a long week thinking about cities and maps and transportation than by taking a quiz to show off your knowledge of cities and maps and transportation?

January 16, 2015 - The Washington Post

State-Level Data Reveals Earlier Peak Driving than Previously Thought

With implications on the narrative of peak driving and on the economic forces that drive the country, a new study reveals that some statewide populations began driving less as early as 1992.

January 16, 2015 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

A Small Town Supports Citywide 25-mph Speed Limit

One town in Georgia recently conducted a public opinion poll finding that most of its 19,000-plus citizens support reduced speed limits on all city streets.

January 16, 2015 - Decatur Metro

California High-Speed Rail's Second Construction Contract: $1.36 Billion

A week after the groundbreaking ceremony for California's beleaguered high speed rail project, a second construction contract has been awarded. The rail authority will now build 29 miles north and 65 miles south of Fresno to the Kern County line.

January 16, 2015 - The Fresno Bee

Report Recommends Bus Rapid Transit to Improve Traffic Safety

A new report by from the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities’ EMBARQ initiative provides evidence of the benefits of safe, well-designed BRT and bus priority systems.

January 15, 2015 - The City Fix

Alta Bicycle Share Changes its Name

Alta Bicycle Share is now known as Motivate. So let it be written. So let it be done.

January 15, 2015 - StreetsBlog NYC

Uber Partnering with Boston to Establish National Data Sharing Model

After months of speculation and calls for transportation network companies to share data that might be helpful in refining the transportation systems of cities, Uber has announced a partnership with Boston that could do just that.

January 15, 2015 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Plymouth Avenue Bridge

Bikers Increase 81 Percent on Protected Bike Lane in Minneapolis

Minneapolis provides evidence of the power of robust bike infrastructure to attract additional bike riders.

January 14, 2015 - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Other Species Value Transit, Too

In Seattle, a four-legged denizen uses the city's public transit system on her own to get to and from her favorite place.

January 14, 2015 - CNN.com

Transportation Secretary Foxx Lays Policy Groundwork at TRB's Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board provided an opportunity for Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to begin to address the changing needs of the nation's transportation system.

January 14, 2015 - The Washington Post

Bikeshare in Eugene Looking Like a Winner for 'ConnectOregon' Grants

Bike Portland reports that a state committee recommended a Eugene bikeshare system as a top priority for a new round of "ConnectOregon" grants.

January 14, 2015 - Bike Portland

Transportation Journalism Suffers Losses in 2015

Transportation readers who prefer reading a less auto-centric perspective of issues will see losses this year, as budgetary constraints at Streetsblog caused the layoff of Tanya Snyder of Streetsblog USA and the temporary loss of Streetsblog Chicago.

January 14, 2015 - StreetsBlog NYC

New Guide Provides Advice for Successful Regional Planning

Transportation for America has released "The Innovative MPO"—a guidebook of sorts that provides lessons in successful regional planning.

January 13, 2015 - Streetsblog USA

Boston transit station

Study: For Transit Proximity, Think Beyond a Half-Mile

A recent study suggests that people consider transit proximity to be more flexible than planners often allow.

January 13, 2015 - CityLab

Two-Mile Freeway Cap to Cover the Autobahn in Hamburg

After deciding to widen the Autobahn 7 through Hamburg, Germany, local planners also decided cover the highway with parks. The benefits of the plan will include reconnected neighborhoods and noise reduction.

January 13, 2015 - Fast Co.Exist

Palo Alto Electeds Oppose Dedicated Lanes for El Camino BRT

As the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) considers the environmental analysis for a proposed bus rapid transit lane in Palo Alto, local officials are opposing the version of the plan that would remove parking for a dedicated bus lane.

January 12, 2015 - Palo Alto Online

Congressional Impediments to 'Considering' an Increased Gas Tax

Look no further than House Speaker John Boehner. MSNBC contributor Steve Benen reports on a Jan. 8 Capitol Hill press conference where the Republican speaker from Ohio appeared to put the kibosh on even considering a federal gas tax increase.

January 12, 2015 - MSNBC/Maddow Blog

Powerful Political Forces Aligning Against Southwest Light Rail in Minneapolis

One of the most heavily-contested transit projects in the United States, the Southwest light rail line in the metropolitan Twin Cities area, is encountering increased levels of political opposition.

January 12, 2015 - MPR News

Low Gas Prices

Three States Hope to Take Advantage of Low Gas Prices to Boost Gas Taxes

A movement at the state and federal levels would take advantage of low oil prices to boost gas taxes to pay for infrastructure. Michigan, Iowa, and Utah proposals, and a change to the federal Corker-Murphy plan, are described below.

January 12, 2015 - The Wall Street Journal

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.