Transportation

Maglev Breaks Speed Record in Japan Trials

New maglev train in Japan reached 310 mph on a test track. With construction about to begin, some worry that declining population would make the project unsustainable.

September 6, 2013 - Wired

Baltimore Red Line Gets Green Light in $1.5 Billion Transportation Spending Plan

A new 14.1-mile light rail project through downtown Baltimore is among the 17 projects to be funded by Maryland's recent gas tax increase, Governor Martin O'Malley announced this week.

September 6, 2013 - The Baltimore Sun

Amsterdam Bikes

College Campuses Embrace Bike Share

In order to differentiate themselves from other universities, some are offering perks to students, such as bike share programs or free bikes in exchange for not driving.

September 5, 2013 - The New York Times

Walking While Distracted: Pedestrian Injuries Rise Amongst Teens

A study finds that 20% of high school students cross the street while being distracted by a digital device.

September 5, 2013 - WNYC: Transportation Nation

Car Dasboard at Night

What's Causing The Decline In Driving?

U.S. Public Interest Research Group does a state-by-state analysis of the decline in driving in an attempt to determine it's chief causes.

September 5, 2013 - Governing

What's Behind Bike Share's Skyrocketing Growth?

Earth Policy Institute's bike share charts allow readers to compare bike share programs in the U.S., now numbering 34 with 18,000 bikes. As impressive as it is, a comparison with bike share programs abroad put the numbers in perspective.

September 4, 2013 - Earth Policy Institute

Image of an infographic: The Truth About Transit

Infographics: The Truth About Transit

Since it has struggled with aggressive transit foes over half-cent sales taxes and light rail, Charlotte, North Carolina's transit system is launching a campaign to dispel myths about transit with crisp, clear infographics.

September 4, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Midwestern Cities Using Transit as Economic Development Tool

Chicago's Fulton Market's new transit stop is attracting attention and investment in the neighborhood. Increasingly, more cities in the Midwest are embracing transportation projects as a means to revitalize downtowns and historic districts.

September 4, 2013 - The Architect's Newspaper

Texas Roads Crisis: DOT Proposes To Let Counties Maintain Roads

Following-up on the depavement of 83 miles of "farm-to-market" roads, TxDOT now proposes a much larger budget-saving measure: "Turn back" control of 2,000 miles of these state roadways to counties and cities. TxDOT also wants to focus on urban roads.

September 4, 2013 - KUHF Houston Public Radio

California Refineries Prepare For Canadian Crude

Canadian oil is headed to two California oil refineries thanks to the collaboration of Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific railroads. Valero Energy's Benicia and Wilmington refineries are improving rail facilities in preparation for the deliveries.

September 3, 2013 - RailwayAge

NYC's App Quest Generates Wealth of New Subway App Ideas

New York City's MTA is gearing up to wire all of its subway stations for cellular use, and has released the full list of application concepts created by developers for subway riders. The public can vote now -- what would make your ride better?

September 3, 2013 - WNYC: Transportation Nation

Congestion Costing Point-Counter-Point

Conventional transportation planning tends to exaggerate congestion costs and roadway expansion benefits, and undervalues other transportation solutions such as improving alternative modes, pricing reforms and smart growth policies.

September 3, 2013 - Todd Litman

Cities and States Most Impacted by Early Deaths from Air Pollution

An MIT study finds 200,000 early deaths per year in U.S. are attributed to air pollution. The biggest source is vehicle tailpipes at 53,000. Most impacted state: California; most impacted city: Baltimore.

September 3, 2013 - MIT News

Los Angeles Traffic - The Newhall Pass

Is Los Angeles' Car Culture on a Collision Course with Economic Ruin?

Architect and planner Gerhard W. Mayer asserts that a city developed to accommodate cars is no place for paltry public transit offerings; Los Angeles needs major changes to its DNA if it wants to remain viable.

September 3, 2013 - The Architect's Newspaper

Image of an electric bike

What do you Get when you Cross "Car Share" with "Bike Share"?

Electric Bike Share! The new program is set to launch in famously hilly San Francisco and across the bay in Berkeley next spring. Unlike the region's bike share which just launched August 29, it will be administered by the non-profit City Car Share.

September 3, 2013 - The Daily Californian

An image of a parkcycle on the street

Have Parkcycle, Will Travel!

Ever wish your nearby park could follow you throughout the city, providing open space wherever you might be? An artist and landscape architect have created Parkcycle Swarm, a modular system of 'human powered mobile gardens'.

September 2, 2013 - THE DIRT

Electric Will Supplant Fossil Fuel Cars on Safety

Advocating safety for the successful electric replacement of internal combustion engine cars solves many of the challenges of an automobile-inclusive future urbanity, and there will be no other kind.

September 1, 2013 - Ian Sacs

Self-Driving Cars for Sale by 2020 Says Automaker

Nissan has become the first car company to commit to a date for selling self-driving cars in an announcement this week. And it won't just be one model for sale by 2020, Nissan will produce "multiple 'commercially viable' self-driving vehicles."

September 1, 2013 - USA Today

Updating the Book on Parking Reform

A Donald Shoup devotee offers new insight into the problems and solutions associated with parking in Los Angeles and other cities. Urban Planning professor Richard Willson says it'll cost you, but parking systems are going to get more efficient.

September 1, 2013 - The Eastsider LA

An image of Transit Oriented Development in Saltillo Lofts, Austin, Texas

Retaining Affordable Housing Near Transit Just Got Easier

Changes to the criteria for evaluating applications for the federal New Starts program could have a significant impact on efforts to preserve and expand affordable housing in close proximity to transit.

August 31, 2013 - Rooflines

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.

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.