Transportation
In Transit, Is Better Station Architecture Worth the Cost?
Do transit stations with sleeker designs boost ridership? Evidence suggests that the answer may be yes. But does that mean that we should spend limited transit funds on better architecture?
Bike and Pedestrian Infrastructure Financing Bill Introduced in Congress
Rep. Albert Sires (D-N.J.) introduced the New Opportunities for Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Financing Act of 2014 (H.R. 3978), modeled on TIFIA, to promote investment in bike and pedestrian facilities to make streets safer for all modes.
‘Mass-Transit Super Bowl’ Not-So-Super for Attendees
With parking limited around the stadium for yesterday’s Super Bowl, attendees relied on the New York region’s transit system to get to and from the game. After months of worry about the weather, mass transit was the Least Valuable Player on game day.
See-Saws, Circles, and Narrative Fallacies
A minor word of caution on statistical inference and the stories it can tell
The Roots of Snowmageddon
Last week, many Atlantans were stuck in traffic overnight because of fewer than three inches of snow. What went wrong?
Bridge Redesign a Victory for Pedestrian, Cycling Advocates
In Los Angeles, months of agitation by pedestrian and bicycling advocates have finally paid off.
Tax and Borrow Plan Advanced by Delaware Gov. Markell to Fund Transportation
The 10-cent gas tax hike the governor proposed would only meet Delaware's transportation needs half-way. Gov. Markell also endorsed borrowing $50 million a year, matching the additional gas tax revenues. Combined, DelDot's debt load would be reduced.
Bringing Caltrans Into The 21st Century
Can the nation's largest state department of transportation, long oriented to building highways and fighting congestion, be brought into the modern, multi-modal era? The State Smart Transportation Initiative's report for Caltrans may do just that.
"What Did He Know, and When Did He Know It?" Bridge-Gate Plot Thickens
David Wildstein, the former Port Authority official who resigned over the George Washington Bridge-Gate lane closures and has refused to answer investigators' questions, indicated in his lawyer's letter that N.J. Gov. Christie knew of the closures.
Why New Transfer Rules Would Benefit Toronto’s Most Marginalized
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is considering switching its single-trip transfer system to a more flexible time-based system allowing short return trips to be made without paying twice. Low-income and marginalized riders stand to benefit most.
The Land Where Electric Vehicles Reign
In this European country, the Nissan Leaf is the third best seller and Tesla's Model S luxury car is number one. The major reason is not its environmental ethos, which is strong, but because of the perks that EVs receive. What county is it?
Which U.S. Cities Have the Best Transit?
Walk Score has published its analysis of the quality of public transit in 50 of the biggest cities in the United States. The rankings may surprise you.
The Night That Sprawl Drove Dixie Down
You can point the finger at unprepared politicians or mistaken meteorologists for paralyzing Atlanta this week. But to find the real culprits, you'll have to look at the region's history of land use and transportation decisions, argues Rebecca Burns.
Charlotte Bets On Federal Funding for Streetcar
The Charlotte City Council approved $12 million in engineering work for a proposed 2.5-mile streetcar extension. The city hopes the investment will help it win federal funds for the $126 million project.
Is Lowering the Speed Limit the Best Way to Improve Street Safety?
In the aftermath of recent pedestrian fatalities, a lot of attention has been placed on lowering speed limits across New York City to improve safety. But the city's former traffic commissioner argues that other approaches would be more effective.
State of the Union Notable for What Wasn't Addressed
In prior State of the Unions, President Obama has put forth bold plans for building high-speed rail, tackling climate change and transitioning to alternative energy sources. Facing an obstinate Congress, he outlined a more modest agenda last night.
End the Transit Commuter Benefit, And Replace It With This
If we really want more people to use transit, and we think it's a worthwhile goal to subsidize people's commutes, why go through all the trouble of tax deductions and employer control? Why not just subsidize transit passes directly?
New Law in Michigan Makes it Easier for Bikers to Turn Right
The new law is for any bike rider who has ever paused to wonder if drivers on the road even understand the meaning of the traditional right turn hand signal.
Gov. Jerry Brown Looks to Calif. Supreme Court for High Speed Rail Relief
Hoping to bypass the Sacramento Superior Court's twin rulings in November that crippled the Calif. High Speed Rail Authority's ability to tap $10 billion in state bond funds, Gov. Brown has petitioned the state Supreme Court to overturn the rulings.
D.C. Has $8 Billion Hopes for Streetcar Development
For the first time in over 50 years, streetcars are on their way back to the nation’s capital, where long-term, the city will build 37 miles of tracks. D.C. planners are citing Portland as the model for an expected rush of development investment.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
