Transportation

Vermont Gas Tax Increases on May 1

Vermont became the third state this year to legislatively increase its gas tax when Democratic Gov. Peter Shumlin signed the bill on April 29 that raises the gas tax by 5.9-cents and the diesel tax by 2-cents on July 1 and 1-cent next year.

May 1, 2013 - BurlingtonFreePress.com

Killers of Bay Area Pedestrians Face Little Consequences

The Bay Area has the nation's third highest rate of pedestrian deaths over the last decade. And one-third of those killed between 2007-11 were in a crosswalk when struck. However most drivers at fault faced no serious consequences.

May 1, 2013 - The Bay Citizen

Not So Fast: California High-Speed Rail Faces New Obstacles

Just when you thought the clouds were clearing to allow the long-awaited start of construction of California's first high-speed rail segment, a number of obstacles are conspiring to delay construction for some time.

May 1, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Dramatic Population Growth Presents Opportunity to Reshape America's Urban Environment

To accomodate America's expected population growth by 2050, the country will need to build up to 74 million new homes. This challenge presents a unique opportunity to reshape our urban environment, says Enrique Penalosa, the former mayor of Bogota.

May 1, 2013 - Urban Land

Obama Pushes for Rail Investment Renewal - Without New Funds

Yonah Freemark writes about the expiration of the nation's five-year rail investment program that funds the FRA, Amtrak, and freight rail - separate from MAP 21, and suggests that without a new funding source, don't expect to see any increases.

May 1, 2013 - the transport politic

Anthony Foxx Announcement

Predicting U.S. Transportation Policy Under Future Secretary Foxx

Following Monday's announcement by President Obama of his surprise selection to be the next transportation secretary, observers dig deeper into what the American people can expect from federal transportation policy under Anthony Foxx.

April 30, 2013 - Governing

Innovative Model Expands the Sharing Economy to Underserved Areas

Expanding car and bike share services beyond America's big cities and affluent demographics requires adaptability and old economy technologies. Buffalo CarShare is providing a model for success that even the big boys could learn from.

April 30, 2013 - DC.Streetsblog

Bicycle traffic light in Berlin

Ranking the World's Most Bike-Friendly Cities

The Copenhagen-based urban planning consultancy Copenhagenize Design Co. has released the follow-up to its 2011 rankings of the world's most bike-friendly cities. Only one city in North America cracked the top 20.

April 29, 2013 - Copenhagenize

UPS LNG Truck

Trucks & Trains Turn Toward LNG to Lower Costs

Just as the power industry turned toward lower priced natural gas and away from dirtier coal, there are signs that trucks and trains are looking to lower priced liquefied natural gas (LNG) to replace diesel-powered vehicles, but there are challenges.

April 29, 2013 - The New York Times - Energy & Environment

Who Should Pay for Transportation Infrastructure? What is Fair?

Many people assume incorrectly that motorists pay their share of roadway costs through fuel taxes. Not so. Fairness would require much higher motor vehicle user fees to finance roadways.

April 29, 2013 - Todd Litman

Obama to Nominate Charlotte Mayor as Transportation Secretary

News broke Sunday that Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx will be President Obama's choice to succeed Ray LaHood as transportation secretary. Although he does not have a transportation background, Foxx has been an advocate for mass transit and TOD.

April 29, 2013 - The Charlotte Observer

'Dam Slow City

Amsterdam feels "cozy" because the city's efforts to manage mobility results in an average speed for all modes of 15kph/10mph.

April 28, 2013 - Ian Sacs

China Subway Binge: Too Much Too Fast?

If plans by Chinese officials are followed, 38 cities across the country will have subway lines by the end of the decade. The Economist asks if that might be 20 too many, as shiny subways steer investment from other forms of transit.

April 28, 2013 - The Economist

TIGER Trains Transportation Planners to Think Different

In the first entry in a multi-part series looking at the federal government's Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program, Tanya Snyder looks at the impact the program has had on transportation planning and funding.

April 27, 2013 - DC.Streetsblog

Amtrak: A Victim of its Own Success

At a recent congressional hearing, Amtrak president Joseph Boardman told Senators that the railroad is facing a 'crisis of success.' Amtrak's increasing ridership, especially in the Northeast Corridor, will lead to deteriorating service, he warned.

April 26, 2013 - philly.com

Get Ready for 'Divvy', Chicago's Soon to Launch Bike-Share System

Jon Hilkevitch details the roll-out of the Second City's first bike-share system. The handsome three-speed bikes painted in "Chicago blue" will start appearing on city streets in June.

April 26, 2013 - Chicago Tribune

Driverless Cars Are Coming, But They'll Bring Congestion and More Fuel Consumption

Although driverless vehicles are being touted for their potential to reduce congestion and fuel consumption, among other benefits, Casey B. Mulligan argues they'll actually induce the reverse.

April 26, 2013 - The New York Times

SF Cable Cars

Thanks to SF's Cable Cars, Bell Tolls for City's Public Transit

They're a global icon of the City by the Bay and one of San Francisco's premier tourist attractions. Operating at a loss, the city's cable cars are also draining resources from more essential forms of public transit, writes Joe Eskenazi.

April 25, 2013 - SF Weekly

A PAC You Might Actually Want to Donate To

StreetsPAC, a new political action committee launched this week, seeks to mobilize New York City residents, and back candidates, who support bike and pedestrian infrastructure.

April 25, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

Highway Trust Fund in Need of Multi-Billion Dollar Bailout

A new report from the Congressional Budget Office concludes that drastic reductions in transportation spending and/or increases in the federal gas tax will be needed unless another multi-billion dollar bailout is provided for the Highway Trust Fund.

April 25, 2013 - Governing

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.

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