Transportation

Texas Outpaces California in Promoting Alternative-Fuel Vehicles

In the state of Big Oil, all types of electric cars, propane, and natural gas fueled vehicles qualify for a $2,500 cash incentive, thanks to a bill passed last year that broadens the current alternative-fueled truck program to light duty vehicles.

May 17, 2014 - Fuel Fix

Defending Atlanta from Anti-Sprawl Malcontents

Robert Bruegmann, professor emeritus of art history, architecture, and urban planning at the University of Illinois at Chicago, defends the recent attacks against Atlanta, especially regarding its sprawling footprint.

May 17, 2014 - Politico

How To: Car-Free Jersey Shore

Atlantic Cities has a rich history in train transportation. Recently, visitors to the Jersey Shore have benefitted in a revival of car-free options for getting to—and around—the area.

May 17, 2014 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Should Police Write More Jaywalking Tickets in Philadelphia?

A reporter in Philadelphia doesn't hold back the innuendo in a recent article about the city's efforts to improve pedestrian safety. The implication: pedestrians won't be safe until the police start writing jaywalking tickets.

May 16, 2014 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Calling for National Investments in Transportation Infrastructure

President Obama visited the Tappan Zee Bridge earlier this week to argue for a renewed commitment to transportation infrastructure.

May 16, 2014 - WhiteHouse.gov

Even Celebrities Get Ticketed for Riding the Wrong Way in the Big Apple

As all law-abiding cyclists know, one must ride with, not against the traffic, even if you are Alec Baldwin. The actor was arrested for the violation, plus a few additional things, like not having ID, that made matters worse.

May 16, 2014 - The New York Times

Vancouver transit

First-Day Ridership Projected at 250,000 for Vancouver's Broadway Subway

City staff recently released revised first-day ridership projections for a proposed subway in Vancouver. The numbers seem astronomical and a strong support for the cause. But can the project get the finding it needs?

May 15, 2014 - Globe and Mail

Stalled Legislation in Missouri Would Block Tesla Sales

Republican lawmakers in Missouri drafted legislation to prevent Tesla from establishing its direct sales model in the state. The legislation, now considered dead for the remainder of the legislative session, was backed by an auto dealers' group.

May 15, 2014 - PoliticMo

Dueling Proposals to Save Bus Service in Seattle

After a resounding defeat to Proposition 1, a countywide measure that would have raised fees and taxes to address an ongoing budget deficit at King County Metro Transit, Seattle is scrambling to find the money to preserve local bus routes.

May 15, 2014 - KUOW

Debating Providence's Streetcar Plans

As Providence, Rhode Island gears up for its second attempt at TIGER funds to help pay for its proposed streetcar line, a local reporter makes a sometimes surprising case against the plan.

May 15, 2014 - GoLocalProv

Cars and Herbie

Why Humans Humanize Self-Driving Cars

A recent article presents the findings of a study examining the question of how humans will assign or cope with blame for collisions caused by self-driving cars. The findings present insight on how humans will interact with technology in the future.

May 15, 2014 - Slate

What's Wrong with the Senate's MAP-21 Reauthorization Bill?

Plenty, according to Tanya Snyder, Streetsblog USA editor, who finds Obama's Grow America plan far superior. Outside of not including a gas tax to fill the Trust Fund gap, she finds the proposal "underfunded and highway centric." She is not alone.

May 15, 2014 - Streetsblog USA

Honolulu Light Rail Taking Shape

After clearing two lawsuits in February, and weathering a contentious mayoral election, the Honolulu light rail project is under construction.

May 14, 2014 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Denver Opens New Union Station Bus Terminal to Great Expectations

Denver's Union Station Bus Terminal opened over the weekend, the latest step in its ongoing transformation into a hub of intermodal activity as well as a bridge between the contemporary and the historic.

May 14, 2014 - Denver Business Journal

Bike Commuter

U.S. Census: Bikes Most Increased Commute Mode Since 2000

Many U.S. cities are seeing an increase in bicycle commuters, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report released last week. Of all commute modes, biking increased the most from 2000 to 2012. Walking, however, held steady.

May 14, 2014 - U.S. Census Bureau

Freeway Interchange

Senate Committee Releases Six-Year Transportation Reauthorization Bill

The bill to reauthorize the current surface transportation law, "Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century", a.k.a. MAP-21, was released on Monday and will be "marked up" on Thursday. Spending is kept at current levels of $50 billion a year.

May 13, 2014 - Bloomberg News

Preventing Illegal U-Turns through the Pennsylvania Avenue Bike Lanes

The effort to protect bikers from cars making illegal maneuvers continues in Washington D.C. on Pennsylvania Avenue. Because the street holds regular inauguration parades, planners can make a limited number of permanent changes.

May 13, 2014 - Greater Greater Washington

Can Somerville, Massachusetts Keep Transit Oriented Redevelopment Affordable?

With six new Green Line stations coming to Somerville, Massachusetts in the next few years, planners and political leaders are trying to find the right balance between transit oriented redevelopment and its more expensive consequences.

May 13, 2014 - Atlantic Cities

Waterways Infrastructure Bill: Prelude to Highway Bill Agreement?

Last Thursday, House and Senate leaders announced agreement on an $8.2 billion waterways infrastructure bill, and if they have their way, it won't be their last major agreement. On Monday, a successor highway bill (to MAP-21) will be released.

May 13, 2014 - The Hill

West Palm Beach, Florida Explores Downtown Walkability

West Palm Beach, Florida is undertaking a walkability study of its downtown; wide streets and a confusing mix of jurisdictions provide substantial challenges to the effort.

May 13, 2014 - The Palm Beach Post

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.