Transportation
Could Property Owners Sue if Cincinnati Cancels its Streetcar?
The cancellation of Cincinnati's under-construction streetcar became a real possibility this month with the election of Mayor John Cranley. Could property owners and businesses who expected a boost from its arrival sue if it's cancelled?
California Ballot Measure Will Propose New Fee to Fund Roads
Would you be willing to increase the annual license fee you pay on your vehicle if the funds were to go to road repair and expansion? That's the question Californians will be asked to decide if the Road Repairs Act qualifies for the Nov. 2014 ballot.
Super Sharrows: "Feel of a Bike Lane" or Wasted Paint?
New "sharrows on steroids" are being tested In the Allston neighborhood of Boston. Are the markings - parallel dashed lines bracketing a bicycle icon - a legitimate improvement on the controversial practice or "an underwhelming innovation"?
Will Amtrak Bend to Bow Wow Lobbying?
Rep. Michael G. Grimm has introduced what may be this legislative season's most unobjectionable, and adorable, bill: the Pets on Trains Act of 2013.
Where in America is Cycling Growing the Most?
Detroit is the unlikely name atop the League of American Bicyclists' new list of cities that have grown their share of bike commuters the most between 1990-2012.
Congestion Driving Canadians Back to Cities, Says New Report
A new report by multinational professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) calls the suburban-to-urban movement of Canadian residents and businesses one of the most significant current real estate trends.
Pennsylvania Gas Tax Hike Clears House
In a dramatic 24-hour turnaround, the House voted to support Gov. Tom Corbett's proposal to lift the cap on the state's oil franchise tax that could potentially add 28 cents to gas prices. A prevailing wage issue caused the bill's defeat earlier.
With Bipartisan Bills, U.S. Congress Looks to Improve Bike and Pedestrian Safety
Bipartisan groups of legislators introduced identical bills in the U.S. House and Senate last week that would compel the USDOT and states to measure and improve the safety of non-motorized transportation users.
Chicago Seeks to Take Advantage of New Transit-Boosting Grants
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has become the country's first transit agency to receive Federal Transit Administration (FTA) approval to apply for its new “core capacity” grants. The funds would be used to upgrade Red and Purple Line service.
10 Ways Cities Are Turning Back Time
It's back to the future for global cities, now that we've realized what a mess the 20th century was.
Too Tired to Vote? Connecting Commute Times to Political Apathy
Have a long commute? If so, you are likely not very engaged in politics with one major exception - higher incomes can counter commuting stress. But for the rest of us, it may explain why we aren't as involved in civic issues we would like.
Could a "Broken Windows" Approach Work for Traffic Crashes?
The "Broken Windows" theory of policing - targeting minor crimes to reduce major ones - has been credited with helping to bring down violent crime rates in several cities. Could such an approach reduce traffic violence?
A DOT that Wants You to Drive Less
State DOTs generally have not been viewed as the most progressive forces in transportation, often perceived primarily as road builders. So a recent "challenge" to drive less, if only for 12 days, came as a surprise. But hey, it's Oregon!
Six Innovative Efforts to Improve Road Safety
In honor of World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, held yesterday, The Guardian highlighted innovative projects that are making the world's roads safer.
A Transportation Funding Bill Named for the Tea Party
Make that a 'defunding' bill, technically described as a devolution bill. The concept is simple: roll back the federal gas tax to 3.7 cents per gallon, shift transportation responsibility to the states and use block grants to provide federal funding.
Secure the Terminal, Secure the City
Some of the reactions to the shooting at LAX revealed troubling attitudes towards public space. Inclined as we may be to tighten security, we ought not sacrifice the richness of public life in the name of safety -- even at an airport.
BART Wants to Revisit Recent Labor Agreement
For those who though the Bay Area's transit labor woes were settled when an agreement was signed last month: think again. BART's board of directors has ordered managers to reopen negotiations after they realized a key concession had been overlooked.
How to Turn $10 billion into $300 Billion: Create an Infrastructure Bank
It's certainly not a new idea - what's new is the current bipartisan Senate bill, cutely abbreviated as the BRIDGE Act, seeded with $10 billion of federal funds that would attract funds from the private sector to be loaned to worthy projects.
Toronto Bails Out its Bike Share System
Apparently Toronto's dysfunctional mayor hasn't stopped the rest of the city's government from functioning. With the city's bike share program facing insolvency, the city council voted to provide the Bixi-operated system with an infusion of cash.
Friday Funny: Flex Your Way to a Free Subway Ride
As Russia prepares to welcome to world to the 2014 Winter Olympics, subway riders in Moscow are being treated to a free trip. The only caveat: You'll need to complete 30 squats to earn your ticket.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
