Transportation
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Nebraska Supreme Court OKs Keystone XL; U.S. Senate has the Next Move
The House voted for the tenth time to approve the pipeline, and a split decision by the Nebraska Supreme Court removes a key objection of President Barack Obama to ruling on Keystone XL. The Senate begins debate Monday.
Gov. Christie Changes Stance on Cross-Hudson Transit Capacity
Buried in the Port Authority's recent report on the future its financing and operations, was a plan to move forward with a project to increase transit capacity across the Hudson River.
Safety in Scofflaws: More Research Needed on the Dirty Secret of Biking
An article on Washington Post's Wonkblog says what some bikers were thinking: sometimes it feels safer to break the law.
The Potential Downside of Railroad Electrification—for Motorists
Electrification of the Caltrain will be great for train riders, the environment, air quality, and public health, but it might worsen traffic congestion between San Jose and San Francisco by increasing the frequency of commuter trains.
Atlas Sprawled
One obstacle to laissez-faire capitalism is capitalists' ability to use government to favor one competitor over another; the history of American street design provides an example.
Gov. Brown Sets Ambitious Agenda for Environment, Infrastructure Goals in Fourth Term
The California governor began an unprecedented fourth term by laying out goals to reduce carbon emissions and oil consumption, address road and bridge maintenance, build high speed rail, and construct two huge water tunnels under the Sacramento Delta
Mapping Chicago's Current Wave of Transit Oriented Development Projects
Patrick Sisson reports on the fruits of a 2013 effort by the city of Chicago to codify transit oriented development.
'Pop Up' Bus Startup Bridj Expands, Updates App
Bridj, a tech-enabled "pop up" bus service that first hit the road in June of 2014, has expanded of service and launched a new version of its app with significant operational changes.
The Spinlister App: 'Airbnb for Bikes'
A new app is part bikeshare and part Airbnb.
Federal Highway Administration Quietly Acknowledges the Driving Boom is Over
The Federal Highway Administration has quietly acknowledged the end of the Driving Boom, cutting its VMT forecast by 24-44 percent. This represents a major change in travel forecasting and planning.
Idaho Legislators Weigh Gas Tax Increase
Calling it an "ideal time" to increase the 25-cent gas tax due to the lowest gas prices in five years, Rep. Linder Bateman (R-Idaho Falls) said legislators will have to "bite the bullet" to address aging road and bridge infrastructure.
How to Promote a Kid-Friendly, Walkable City
Jennifer Keesmaat, chief planner and executive director for the city of Toronto, shares tips for how to create safe, fun environments for children.
Electric Buses Stretching to New Lengths
Take a spin on the country's first articulated electric bus (minus overhead wires), manufactured by BYD Motors Inc. in Southern California and tested recently on the Los Angeles Orange Line.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
