Transportation

Federally Funded BRT Expansion Meets Local Resistance in Suburban Oregon

Despite steady increases in ridership since opening in 2007, a proposed expansion of the Lane Transit District’s EmX bus rapid transit system between Eugene and Springfield is meeting local resistance.

January 7, 2014 - The Register Guard

Jerry Brown's Hail Mary Pass for High Speed Rail

California's embattled high speed rail, which appears to be on life support following a Nov. court ruling, will receive funds from the state's carbon cap & trade program in Gov. Brown's budget to be released Friday. But will it make a difference?

January 7, 2014 - The Sacramento Bee - Capitol Alert

Oil-by-Rail a Pending Disaster for Cities, says Economist

Jeff Rubins, a Canadian economist with a track record of predictions come to pass, warns that fast increasing rail shipments of crude oil are a ticking time bomb for the North American cities en-route such as Chicago and Toronto.

January 6, 2014 - Maclean's Magazine

Seattle Light Rail Construction

North America Will Invest More Than $80 Billion in New Transit in 2014

Yonah Freemark assembles his annual review of the year ahead in transit expansion by analyzing the dozens of projects that will start, continue, or complete construction this year in North America. Nearly every metro region is investing in transit.

January 6, 2014 - the transport politic

Portland Bike Safety Signage

The Number One Reason Why Portland is a Bike-Friendly City

In one word: safety. And, as Sarah Laskow explains, the more folks take to riding, the safer the streets become, so it builds on itself. Critical to road safety is bike infrastructure, like protected bike lanes, bike boxes and bike traffic signals.

January 6, 2014 - Grist

Is New Solar-Powered Ford a Game Changer?

Though their lack of emissions is admirable, the knock on electric vehicles is that their power is likely derived from dirty sources. Could a new solar-powered car unveiled by Ford kick-start the era of renewable energy-powered transportation?

January 6, 2014 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Want to Improve Road Safety? Don't Touch That Phone

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine examines which types of distractions lead to the most collisions. Researchers found that dialing while driving is the biggest safety hazard.

January 5, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

Bay Area Bike Share Poised to Expand, but Not Enough, say Critics

Launched last summer, the regional bike share program is looking to expand this spring to one thousand bikes in one hundred kiosks, according to Air District officials who administer the five-city, three-county pilot program and view it as a success.

January 3, 2014 - San Francisco Chronicle

Self-Driving Cars Will Rule the Road by 2050

A new study by IHS Automotive predicts that 54 million self-driving cars will be on the road by 2035, and that every car will be autonomous by 2050.

January 3, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

The Streets Have Spoken: 2013 Streetsies Awarded

Streetsblog has announced the winners of its annual readers' poll on the year's best in sustainable transportation and livable communities.

January 3, 2014 - DC.Streetsblog

Smarter Congestion Evaluation – An Example

A new study claims that public transit does not reduce traffic congestion. It is a good example of how not to evaluate this impact. When measured correctly, high quality transit is found to reduce congestion and increase transport system efficiency.

January 3, 2014 - Todd Litman

Eliminate Bus Stops to Improve Service?

Sounds counterintuitive doesn't it? But a new study by researchers at George Mason University suggests that eliminating bus stops can drastically improve service without substantially reducing the number of riders served.

January 3, 2014 - Governing

Chicago Doesn't Have to Look Far to Find New DOT Chief

When Mayor Rahm Emanuel sought out his first transportation chief, he lured Gabe Klein from Washington D.C. This week it was announced that Klein's successor had been found much closer to home: the city's transit authority.

January 2, 2014 - Chi.Streetsblog

Renderings Released for Elevated Cycling Superhighway in London

Sir Norman Foster has put forth plans for a 135-mile network of elevated cycle pathways dubbed "SkyCycle". In addition to its enormous price tag, the scheme faces practical concerns from cycling advocates.

January 2, 2014 - Daily Mail

Are There More Lexus Drivers in Florida?

That could be one explanation for the popularity of the I-95 Express Lanes, called Lexus Lanes by opponents because of the toll paid by solo drivers. While the toll has increased, so has their popularity with drivers, even with the maximum $7 toll.

January 2, 2014 - WLRN

Transit Fare Hike Sparks Civil Unrest in Mexico City

A move by Mexico City's mayor to raise fares for the city's run-down, but essential, subway system by 66 percent has sparked a protest movement.

January 1, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

Will 2014 Bring a New Transit Tax Push in L.A.?

Los Angeles area officials are discussing options for placing a new transportation funding measure before voters. A similar effort in 2012 failed to pass the necessary 67 percent threshold by less than 16,000 votes (out of nearly 2 million cast).

January 1, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

Successor to Sadik-Khan Announced

Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio has announced that Polly Trottenberg, the third-ranking official at the US Department of Transportation, will become the next Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation. She's got big shoes to fill.

January 1, 2014 - WNYC: Transportation Nation

The Dangers of Drunk Riding

In the wee hours of tomorrow morning, many partiers will turn to public transit to get home after a night of New Year's revelry. But beware, there is such a thing as being too drunk to ride the rails, warns D.C.'s Metro system.

December 31, 2013 - The Washington Post

Top 10 City Scandals of 2013

As we bid farewell to 2013, here are the Top 10 scandals that cast a negative light on some global cities this past year.

December 31, 2013 - Future Cities

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.

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