Transportation
Can the Bus Be Sexy?
Transit agencies are increasingly turning to branding and advertising to improve their images. But can conservative bureaucracies embrace what it means to be "cool"? More importantly, can they attract riders?
Urban Amenity: Pick Up UPS Packages at the Dry Cleaner or Pharmacy
Tired of coming home and seeing the "We Missed You" slip hanging from the door of your apartment building rather than receiving the package you had ordered online? UPS has an app for that.
Study Rates Car 'Infotainment Systems' for Levels of Distraction
A study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety assessed the mental demands required of six hands-free, in-vehicle systems dialing phones and changing radio stations.
California Refineries Prepare to Receive Cheaper Crude-by-Rail
The surge in oil production has not benefited California, but that's about to change. Shale oil from North Dakota and other states costs $15 less than imported oil. After transportation costs, California refineries would save $3 per barrel.
Strong Ridership for Tucson Modern Streetcar's First Months
Early reviews and returns on Tucson's Modern Streetcar appear positive, according to an article for Arizona Public Media.
Profile in Success: Keith Parker, General Manager and CEO of MARTA
A profile piece for Governing focuses on the work of Keith Parker, who since 2012 has been leading the ninth-largest transportation agency in the country: Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA).
Friday Funny: The Onion has Been Reading Donald Shoup
The satirical news site The Onion is back with another take on the concerns of planners and transportation engineers. This time The Onion takes a page out of Donald's Shoup playbook.
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.
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
