Transportation

How Safe is Biking while Rocking Out (with Headphones)?

Joseph Stromberg examines the question of how safe it is for bikers to wear headphones—a common practice for which there is no safety data.

August 11, 2014 - Vox

California's Proposed Traffic Impact Rules Rethink Congestion

California planning expert Bill Fulton discusses a long-awaited proposal from the Governor's Office of Planning and Research that would shift the state's traffic impact assessments away from their current focus on traffic congestion.

August 10, 2014 - California Planning and Development Report

San Francisco Workers: Got Commuter Benefits?

San Francisco's Department of Environment will soon begin enforcing the city's mandatory commuter benefits program for the first time since the law's inception in 2009. Fines up to $500 may be levied for noncompliance after warning notices are sent.

August 10, 2014 - San Francisco Examiner

Gas Tax Amendments Headed to Voters in Maryland, Wisconsin

Preventing gas tax and vehicle registration fee revenues from being used for non-transportation purposes is seen as key to increasing transportation revenue, be it through raising gas taxes or approving new revenue options, in Maryland and Wisconsin.

August 9, 2014 - Transport Topics

Review Pans World Trade Center's 'Calatrasaurus' Transportation Hub

Steve Cuozzo absolutely eviscerates the under-construction World Trade Center Transportation Hub in New York City, designed by Santiago Calatrava.

August 9, 2014 - New York Post

Instagram Opens Doors to the Beautiful Homes of Philadelphia

Many users of Instagram have recognized its potential to build awareness about the beauty of urban environments. If you're still unfamiliar, consider the example of an Instagramming duo in Philadelphia.

August 8, 2014 - Philadelphia Inquirer

What's Next for Missouri After Voters Reject Sales Tax Measure?

In the wake of the decisive rejection of a ballot measure on August 5 to raise the state sales tax by .75% for a package of transportation improvements, how will the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) meet the state's transportation needs?

August 8, 2014 - KMOX

Can the Walton Family Help Reverse Arkansas Sprawl?

Led by the Walton Family Foundation, Northwest Arkansas officials look to "sense of place" and walkable urban solutions for future economic growth and attraction of talent.

August 8, 2014 - Better Cities & Towns

California Cuts 'Level of Service' from CEQA Requirements

The State of California has shifted from measuring "Level of Service," a grade based on how many cars pass through an intersection in a given time, to assessing overall Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) in its Environmental Quality laws.

August 8, 2014 - LA Streetsblog

Share the Road

How 'Share the Road' Campaigns Distract from the Real Problems of Traffic Safety

Following a close call on his bike, a writer questions the perverted logic of safety campaign slogans that share, equally, the onus for traffic safety between cars and bikes.

August 7, 2014 - The Invisible Visible Man

La City Hall Cycling

Reorienting a DOT Around Livable Streets

A city famous for its intransigent car culture is bringing in an active transportation expert to run its Department of Transportation.

August 7, 2014 - The Planning Report

Lyft Line, UberPool: Carpooling Features to Compete with Mass Transit

A new tier of service for Lyft launched today, allowing customers traveling in the same direction to share a ride. The new product follows a similar release earlier this week by Uber.

August 7, 2014 - Forbes

Tucson Streecar

Place-Based Development and Streetcar Transforming Downtown Tucson

Restaurants, retail, offices, and adobe homes pop-up in and around the long-suffering downtown damaged by urban renewal.

August 6, 2014 - Better Cities & Towns

Two Transportation Measures Soundly Rejected in Missouri

With 100% of precincts reporting on Tuesday evening, Amendment 7, a .75 percent statewide sales tax measure funding a package of transportation improvements, was rejected by 59% of voters. Kansas City voters snubbed a measure to expand the streetcar.

August 6, 2014 - Fox2Now

Comeback for the Ages: America's Love Affair with SUVs

Although today's SUVs are smaller and more fuel efficient than models from the halcyon days of the early 2000s, a recent resurgence of SUV sales proves the incredible persistence of the American thirst for SUVs.

August 6, 2014 - Quartz

Pedestrian Safety Suffers in Low-Income Areas

Focusing on street safety conditions in Miami as a case study of larger findings, a Governing magazine analysis finds that pedestrians are much more likely to be killed by cars in impoverished neighborhoods.

August 5, 2014 - Governing

New York City's Crowdsourced Street Safety Map

As part of the Vision Zero initiative for traffic safety, the city has hosted a map system that allowed citizens to report safety issues encountered on the street. With the reporting period now over, you can still peruse the findings of the exercise.

August 5, 2014 - StreetsBlog NYC

FLV California train

California High Speed Rail: Federal Aid Not Required

That was the message from Gov. Jerry Brown after a state appeals court unlocked a lower court's hold on $9.95 billion of state bond funds for the $68 billion project. He exchanged words with HSR opponent House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

August 5, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal

A Call for New York City to Put Skin in the Bike Share Game

Despite the recent deal that will bring a large capital infusion and expansion of the Citi Bike system in New York City, Sarah Goodyear sees a program on the brink. Can the city help ensure its success?

August 5, 2014 - Next City

'National Stop on Red Week'

The National Coalition for Safer Roads "is partnering with organizations and communities across the country to raise awareness about the dangers of red-light running during National Stop on Red Week."

August 4, 2014 - National Coalition for Safer Roads

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.