Transportation
The Politics of Lane Closures: GW Bridge-Gate
The unannounced lane closures on the George Washington Bridge in early September have brought down two Port Authority directors and now hold serious implications for popular N.J. Gov. Chris Christie (R), thought to be a 2016 presidential candidate.
2013 Started a New Chapter in L.A.'s Story
Will 2013 be remembered as the year that Los Angeles embraced a new urban identity? Cultural, political, and planning and design-related events over the past year seem to suggest the city is experiencing "an urban reawakening".
D.C. Metro's Plan to Relieve Congestion: Focus on Existing Network
In what might be viewed as a transit version of "fix-it-first", Metro will focus on alleviating congestion within the existing system rather than pursue costly regional expansions. Plans for ten new stations and a new tunnel are being considered.
SEPTA Plans How to Spend Gas Tax Windfall
With a transformative transportation law now on the books, Pennsylvania's largest transit system has turned from planning for "doomsday" to "payday" as it decides how to allocate a twofold increase in capital spending.
California's Infrastructure Advocate Champions Fourth Funding Option
Will Kempton, former Caltrans chief under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger who subsequently headed the Orange County Transportation Authority, now heads Transportation California which has proposed an initiative to tax vehicles to fund infrastructure.
Why Has It Taken 21 Years for D.C. to Build a Bike Path?
It's been 21 years (and counting) since D.C. developed plans to build the Metropolitan Branch Trail's eight mile northern segment. The delayed project threatens the city's goal of increasing the proportion of biking and walking trips to 25 percent.
Cincy Streetcar Saved
Facing a midnight deadline to resume the project or forfeit federal government funds, the Cincinnati City Council is supporting completing a new streetcar system after finding outside help to cover operating costs.
Will the "Copenhagen Wheel" Revolutionize Cycling?
Developed by researchers at MIT in consultation with representatives from the Danish capital, the Copenhagen Wheel is a new technology that transforms your bike into a "smart electric-hybrid".
Traffic Enforcement Technology Has Its Limits
For the second time in a year, Baltimore has pulled the plug on both its red-light and speed enforcement cameras, paying the contractor $600,000 to do so. Re-evaluation will determine where the city, which now owns most of the cameras, goes next.
City Cycling: Another Way Men and Women Differ
Researchers from City University in London have analyzed the ways men and women use the city's bike share scheme differently. Transport for London will use this information to plan better outreach.
Seven Items Top U.S. DOT's To-Do List for 2014
A new report by the U.S. Department of Transportation's lead watchdog outlines the top challenges the department faces in the coming year. Expanding oversight and improving air, rail and road safety top the list.
Positive Reports on New Transit System Performance
Critics claim that public transit projects consistently exceed their budget projections and fail to meet ridership targets, based on old research. New analysis indicates that recent transit services generally perform better than predicted.
If You Want Accurate Traffic Projections, Don't Listen to DOTs
Analysis by the State Smart Transportation Initiative (SSTI) finds that the traffic projections used by state and local transportation agencies, which form the basis for spending priorities, are consistently higher than actual results.
New York's Streets Provide "Platform for Social Activism"
Justin Davidson ruminates on the great strides Janette Sadik-Khan and New York's Department of Transportation have made in reforming the city's streets. As much as they've accomplished, the transformation remains a work in progress.
What Could Philadelphia Teach Rome About Reducing Traffic?
Rome's new mayor spent two decades in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and he's bringing lessons learned while living car-free in the United States to help solve Rome's traffic problems.
Lifestyle Solution Sought for Austin's Snarled Traffic
Austin has a giant traffic tangle on its hands. And because the city largely ignored the growing problem for years, transportation planning experts believe only drastic changes in behavior and lifestyle will ease the snarl.
What Will Fuel Your Motor Vehicle in 10 Years?
Alternative fueled vehicles are increasing and will continue to gain in the next decade, according to a new report by the Fuels Institute, but light duty vehicles powered by gasoline will dominate. Diesel fuel will power 94% of heavier vehicles.
Bikes Become Target of Conservatives' Vitriol
Is biking a partisan past time? If you listen to conservative leaders, you might think bikes were created as part of a liberal mission to spread socialism and curtail personal freedoms. Cycling is the unlikely new front in the culture wars.
If You Build It, They Will Ride - Even in Car Crazy Los Angeles
A new study finds that within six months of opening, L.A.'s newest light rail line dramatically altered the travel behavior of those living within a half-mile of a station. Among those residents, rail ridership tripled and driving declined 40%.
Investment in Infrastructure Leads to Jump in S.F. Cyclists
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency's annual bike count reveals that cycling has increased 14 percent in the city since 2011 and 96 percent since 2006.
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)
