Transportation

Train in Stockholm Adds Unwanted Last Stop

Earlier this week, a rail-company cleaning lady in Stockholm was able to take a commuter train on a late night joy ride through the city. The joy, however, ended when she crashed the train into a tony apartment building.

January 17, 2013 - The Daily Mail

Why Do People Ditch Transit?

Ryan Holeywell discusses a new report from researchers at the University of California, Berkeley that examines the top reasons people stop using public transit. Frequent, consistent service is most important to riders.

January 16, 2013 - Governing

Transit Seen as Crucial to Tysons Transformation

The ambitious plan to transform the auto-oriented D.C. suburb of Tysons Corner into vibrant, walkable Tysons will require building a culture of public transportation, and buses are seen a central piece of that effort, reports Luz Lazo.

January 16, 2013 - The Washington Post

Rapid Transit Gets Personal, Again

After decades of discussion and experimentation, Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) is again getting attention as a potential alternative means of transport, merging the comfort of the private car with the automation and safety of public transit.

January 15, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Largest Gathering in History Attracts Researchers

When the Kumbh Mela, a 48-day Hindu festival held every four years, starts this week in northern India it will be the largest gathering in history. Researchers are using the opportunity to study the formation and inner-workings of a pop-up mega city.

January 15, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

NYC Facilitates Walking with New Wayfinding Maps

One out of ten New Yorkers gets lost every week, according to the city's Department of Transportation, and this does not include out-of-towners. In March, the city will begin installing 150 wayfinding signs to help pedestrians navigate their way.

January 15, 2013 - The New York Observer

Hold off on Zipcar’s Eulogy: Planners are Key to Carsharing’s Next Act

The recent purchase of Zipcar by Avis is just the latest sign that carsharing is in a period of flux. As shared-mobility evolves in the next few years, planners can play a crucial role in ensuring that the industry serves those in need of alternatives to car ownership, generates revenues for municipalities, integrates with public transportation, and delivers wider benefits.

January 14, 2013 - Scott Le Vine

New Map Shows How to Traverse California via Public Transit

For those that dream of traveling the length of the Golden State without getting behind the wheel of an automobile, a new map shows the interconnected system of trains and buses that can get you from San Diego to Eureka and in-between.

January 14, 2013 - SF.Streetsblog

How Can Bike Share Better Serve Those Who Could Benefit the Most?

Across the United States, bike-share systems have struggled to provide access to those with fewer transportation options. Darren Buck looks at what some cities are doing to expand their reach.

January 14, 2013 - Greater Greater Washington

Paying by the Mile - Not a Question of "If" but "When and by How Much"

Justin Hyde is firmly in the camp that 'Vehicle-Miles-Traveled' (VMT) fees are coming - and the release of a GAO report last month may support that contention. Privacy concerns from GPS and collection costs are challenges that were considered.

January 14, 2013 - Motoramic (Yahoo! Autos blog)

Marching Towards More Walkable Communities

Richard Florida interviews Jeff Speck about his new and highly praised book "Walkable City." The two authors discuss why cities should become more walkable to meet the needs of the "Walking Generation."

January 13, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

 Hollywood/Western Red Line Station

How Art Inspires L.A.'s Public Transit Commuters

As the L.A. metro continues to expand, so do opportunities for artists to showcase their art. For transit riders, this adds an important element to their daily journey, making the commuting experience all the more memorable.

January 12, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Light Rail Planning Gone Bad: Lessons from Santa Clara County

After 25 years, Santa Clara's light rail has failed to live up to its promise, proving to be “among the least successful in the nation” reports Mike Rosenberg, while “serving as a constant reminder that the car is still king in Silicon Valley."

January 11, 2013 - Oroville Mercury Register

L.A. to Increase Parking Requirements...For Bikes, not Cars

This week the L.A. City Council's Planning and Land Use Committee forwarded to the full council a progressive bike parking ordinance that could dramatically change how developers provide parking for both bikes and autos, reports Damien Newton.

January 11, 2013 - LA.Streetsblog

VA Governor's 'Bold' Plan to Eliminate the Gas Tax

Why not increase the sales tax on all goods, eliminate the state gas tax, and then redirect general fund money from paying for public education, safety, parks, etc. to roads?

January 11, 2013 - The Washington Post

How Technology Is 'Amplifying the Benefits of Urban Density'

Edward L. Glaeser takes the recent purchase of Zipcar by Avis as the jumping-off point for an essay on the ways that technology, which once aided the sprawling suburban lifestyle, can now amplify the sharing of infrastructure by city dwellers.

January 11, 2013 - The Boston Globe

How Should L.A. Connect the Valley to the Basin?

For anyone who's tried to commute between the San Fernando Valley and L.A.'s Westside during rush hour, it's clear the existing options just don't work. LA County is now considering six options - from BRT to rail tunnels - to help ease congestion.

January 10, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Fiscal Cliff Deal Levels Tax Playing Field for Transit Riders

While the fiscal cliff talks did not increase the gas tax as some transportation analysts had hoped, it did increase a benefit that many commuters who ride public transit will appreciate, particularly those whose monthly expenses total $240.

January 10, 2013 - Sierra Club Compass

Tax Parking to Fund Public Transit?

In Massachusetts, transportation funding is one of the key issues to be addressed by the state legislature this year. James Aloisi, former Transportation Secretary, offers an inventive way to fund Transit Improvement Districts.

January 10, 2013 - Governing

Maryland Makes Progress on Bike Infrastructure Improvements

From bicycle planning to mapping to infrastructure expansion, counties and cities throughout the state are pushing forward with efforts to increase bicycling opportunities, reports Candy Thomson.

January 10, 2013 - The Baltimore Sun

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