Transportation

U.S. Bike Share: 23 Million Rides; Zero Fatalities

Despite all the dire—sometimes hysterical—warnings about the safety risks of bike share, the country's bike share systems boast a flawless fatality record. Compare that record with, for instance, driving or riding non-bike-share bikes.

August 14, 2014 - Reuters via Yahoo News

The Dysfunction that is New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminal

The Port Authority bus terminal, located in Midtown, has been "stagnating as ridership has been rising" since the 1970s. Now a third of New Jersey commuters use the facility.

August 14, 2014 - WNYC: Transportation Nation

Austin Voters To Decide on Light Rail and Freeway Bond Measure

The Austin City Council unanimously approved a $1 billion bond measure on August 7, subject to voter approval on Nov. 4 to provide $600 million toward a $1.4 billion, 9.5-mile light rail line and $400 million for freeway improvements.

August 13, 2014 - Austin American-Statesman

High Speed Rail Opponents Appeal to California Supreme Court

Recall that recent 'great news' for the embattled High Speed Rail Authority? The appeals court ruling breathed new life into the $68 billion project as it released the lower court's hold on $9.95 billion in bond funds. Opponents are not deterred.

August 13, 2014 - The Fresno Bee

Boston to Test Extended Parking Restrictions in Southie

An influx of new residents has also meant an influx of residential parking passes in the Southie neighborhood of Boston. Can a pilot program to extend residential parking restrictions (from four nights a week to seven) quell the "crisis"?

August 12, 2014 - The Boston Globe

How the Twin Cities Transports its Aging Population

Dave Beal provides thorough coverage of the demographic and geographic challenges facing transportation for the aging in the Twin Cities region, where the need for such services is increasing as the population ages.

August 12, 2014 - MinnPost

Bus Stop

Baltimore Bus Stop Design Leaves No Doubt

Part street furniture, part advertisement for public transit, part public art—the designers of a new bus stop installation in Baltimore call it "an obvious bus stop."

August 11, 2014 - Slate

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

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.