Transportation
Upheaval at New York State Thruway Authority
The New York State authority with responsibility for the Thruway system, including the Tappan Zee Bridge as the most famous of its 809 bridges, is weathering leadership changes and a dismal budget shortfall.
Key Senate Republican Opens Door to Gas Tax Increase
Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), current ranking member and incoming chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation surprised the media when he announced on a Sunday morning talk show that a gas tax increase is possible.
Op-Ed: Lower Houston Speed Limits
A planner makes the case for lower its speed limits in an unlikely city.
Streetsblog Presents 'Streetsie Awards' for the Best and Worst of Transportation
Tanya Snyder writes of the results of the 2014 "Streetsies Awards," based on the votes of Streetsblog readers.
Uber and Lyft Are Dragging Traditional Taxi Companies Into the 21st Century
Rideshares like Uber and Lyft have been under attack for their brash approach to local regulations and laissez-faire pricing schemes, but they've also pushed traditional taxis to dramatically improve their service in a very short span of time.
Oklahoma City Considering 3-Foot Passing Law for Bikers (Not Drivers)
A new ordinance to be considered by Oklahoma City in January puts the onus to pass with three feet of space on bikers, rather than drivers. Critics argue that the low will further marginalize bikers on city streets.
Using Google Earth to Understand Parking Utilization
As planners we use maps on a daily basis. This article shares how to find the date and time that a Google Earth image was taken, which can be helpful in undertaking site analysis and understanding parking utilization.
Need for Speed? Missouri Considering 75 mph Rural Speed Limit
A bill, HB295, in the Missouri State Legislature would raise rural speed limits, making the state the latest in a group to raise speed limits as traffic fatalities on highways are decreasing.
Clearing Up Myths on the Federal Gas Tax
In this Washington Post opinion, Paul Bledsoe, former staff member of the Senate Finance Committee, clears up five common misunderstandings about the federal gas tax to inform discussions on America's infrastructure funding crisis
Atlanta Streetcar Finally Opens
It's 'back to the future' for Atlanta's $98 million investment that opened Dec. 30, although these will be modern, not vintage, streetcars that operate on a small loop. Streetcars last operated here in 1949. Mayor Reed intends to lengthen the route.
Low Oil Prices Adds to Texas Transportation Budget Shortfall
Plummeting oil prices means Texans are seeing savings at the gas pump, but they also mean reduced revenue due to Proposition 1, the November 4 ballot measure that diverted energy taxes from the state's rainy day fund to the transportation budget.
India Rescinds Tax Break on Cars
The price of cars in the country of India will increase—a lot—as the government rolls back tax breaks.
New York MTA Buses to Alert Pedestrians When Turning
Following the lead of programs in Los Angeles, Portland, and Baltimore, a pilot program by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority will install warning systems to alert pedestrians to turning buses.
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton Proposes Gas Tax
The tax would be a wholesale tax paid by fuel suppliers as has become more common in the last two years, not a retail tax at the gas pump. The Democratic governor's main problem may be his timing—the house flipped to Republican control.
Study Casts Doubt on Bike Helmet Laws for Children
Do bike helmet laws prevent injuries for children, or do they just discourage children from riding bikes?
Has the Streetcar Boom Reached the End of the Line?
Politico takes a critical look at the streetcar trend in American cities—which had some high profile setbacks during 2014—with an eye toward the legacy of the Obama Administration.
The Story of New York's First Commuter
Sam Roberts tells the story of commuting in New York City, starting from the very beginning, the maiden voyage of the first ferry from Brooklyn to Manhattan.
2014 Declared the 'Year of the Bike Commuter'
"From cycletracks to helmet laws, 2014 has been a big year for bikes," according to Next City before looking back at what made 2014 such a big year for bikers.
Sound Transit Adopts Long Range Plan for Metropolitan Seattle
Earlier in December, Seattle's Sound Transit Board approved a Long Range Plan as a part of its final meeting of the year.
Want an Electric Vehicle but Live in an Apartment?
Two companies have teamed up to provide solar-powered, electric vehicle charging with battery storage in 68 apartment buildings in San Francisco. They will rent spaces for charging by tenants. Roofs will also be rented and covered with solar panels.
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.
Greater Baltimore Committee
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association
