Transportation
Shifting the Message to Attract More Bike Riders
In a speech to the Arlington County Commuter Services, Veronica O. Davis argues for bicycle advocates to shift from focusing solely on commuter riders.
Like the Old Days: Average Fuel Economy Declines in the United States
A recent study at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute showed that September saw the largest decline in average fuel economy, from 25.8 mpg to 25.3 mpg, since December 2011.
Study Compares Job Access by Transit in 46 U.S. Metropolitan Areas
The Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Minnesota has released the Access Across America: Transit 2014 report.
Unsafe Streets on National Walk and Bike to School Day
Today, October 8, is National Walk and Bike to School Day, and yet street conditions across the United States continue to prevent kids from getting to school safely without being chauffeured. Lynn Richards of CNU says we can do better.
Los Angeles Breathing Easier Due to Reductions in Airborne Toxins
The improvement in air quality comes from reductions in toxic emissions from autos, trucks, and ships. Enjoying the cleaner air were tens of thousands of Angelenos riding on miles of streets closed to auto traffic for the 10th CicLAvia event.
Millennials and Gen Xers Commuting Less by Car
Following up on earlier reports about the latest commuting data from the U.S. Census 2013 American Community Survey, Joseph Kane and Adie Tomer find different trends in commute choice between age groups.
The Koch Brothers vs Transit
Two of the more famous examples of the economic interests of the fossil fuel industry, Charles and David Koch, are battling transit projects, by any means necessary, all over the country.
National Institute for Transportation and Communities Releases Complete Streets Design Guide
Principal investigator Marc Schlossberg and co-investigator John Rowell, of the University of Oregon, have complete a guide to help communities of all varieties realize the benefits of complete streets.
Traffic Safety Silver Bullet: Prohibit the 12-Foot Traffic Lane
Jeff Speck, author of Walkable City, argues that reducing the width of traffic lanes would be a panacea for the disastrous public health outcomes of traffic safety.
Newest Fuel Cell Vehicles: Trains!
Alstom Transport uses technology similar to that of hydrogen fuel cell automobiles. Railway Gazette reports that German rail authorities hope to develop Zero Emission Trains by purchasing fuel cell trainsets.
ARC Cancellation Leaves New Jersey-New York Rail Connections in Race Against Time
Dana Rubinstein writes that New Jersey Chris Christie may have to answer for more than just the Bridgegate scandal if he throws his hat into the ring in the 2016 presidential campaign.
Study: Domestic Responsibilities Contributing to Biking's Gender Gap
Answering the question of why more women in the United States don't bike, researchers find that infrastructure and design only explains some of the gender gap. Another obstacle for women: a higher share of chores and child-supporting car trips.
Wyoming Reports Road Improvements From 10-Cent Gas Tax Increase
Wyoming legislators passed its gas tax hike in Feb. 2013, an incredible 71 percent increase when the state then had the second to lowest tax. AASHTO reports that the WYDOT has already completed 12 projects with the additional revenue.
California High Speed Rail Authority Reaches Milestone
The Authority is ready to purchase trainsets, and once again, the Siemen's rail manufacturing facility in Sacramento is looking to add another contract to add to its growing rail car orders. A request for "expressions of interest" was issued.
The Great Streetcar Debate
David Alpert and Jarrett Walker go head to head debating the merit of streetcar systems in many United States cities and suburbs and their efficiency at creating urban, walkable communities.
Will New Jersey Raise Its Gas Tax?
New Jersey's gas tax has been stuck at 14.50 cents per gallon since 1988; only Alaska's is lower. An Assembly committee began hearings on increasing the tax to fix crumbling roads and improve transit. It's high-end benchmark: a 31-cent increase.
Skateboard Urbanism on the Rise
More cities around the country are embracing skateparks as a vital part of park design, leading to a new wave of urban design standards tailored for skateboarders.
Jersey City Joins NYC's Citi Bikes; Neighbors Create Separate System
Despite plans to create a uniform bike sharing program through the three New Jersey cities of Hoboken, Jersey City, and Weehawken, in the end Jersey City will join the Citi Bikes program while Hoboken and Weehawken partner with Next Bike.
LADOT Releases 'Great Streets for Los Angeles' Strategic Plan, Sets Vision Zero Goal
Following a year when 80 pedestrians were killed by cars in the city, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation has proposed a new strategic plan that sets Vision Zero goals for pedestrian fatalities and reflects new priorities for the city.
Streetscape Improvements in The Castro Include New, Improved Rainbow Design
Not to be outdone by West Hollywood, San Francisco's premier gay neighborhood has painted crosswalks on Castro Street in rainbow colors. However, it's only one part of a much bigger streetscape improvement project that involved huge community input.
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
