Transportation
Killing a Pedestrian Warrants Nary a Slap on the Wrist in NYC
Michael Powell looks at the penalties facing drivers that strike pedestrians and cyclists in New York City, and finds depressingly few repercussions.
BART Celebrates a Big Birthday, and Faces the Challenges of Middle Age
Today marks the 40th anniversary of the opening of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system. The "first in a new generation of American rail systems" when it was built, BART now faces the challenges of declining health and keeping up with the times.
Will Portland-Style Apartments Catch On in San Francisco?
It's a mere 12 units but a huge test for apartments with no auto parking but plenty of bike parking. The 5-story, mixed-use Mission District building was unanimously approved by the Planning Commission on Sept. 6 despite neighborhood opposition.
Steer Clear of the 5 Most Dangerous Roads in the World
Writing for Yahoo! Travel, Aefa Mulholland identifies five of the most dangerous roads in the world - from India's chaotic city streets to Bolivia's mountain hugging back roads.
Cycling Renaissance Races Across America
From coast to coast, cities across the United States are experiencing a rise in bicycling. Local governments are leading the peloton, with cycle-friendly policies and increases in government funding spurring a municipal pedal pursuit.
The Many Benefits of 'Multiblock Underground Shared Parking'
The urban parking garage gets an overhaul with the innovation of multiblock parking. By constructing underneath multiple blocks, developers and cities can improve parking efficiencies and lower costs.
Want to Triple Highway Capacity? Put Robot Cars on the Road
A new study on the potential benefits of autonomous cars concludes that "platooning" self-driving vehicles could increase highway efficiency by 273 percent, reports Devin Coldewey.
California Bike Lanes May Be Exempted From Environmental Review
If Gov. Jerry Brown signs AB 2245, a bill which will exempt bike lanes from the CA Environmental Quality Act until 2018, opponents of these lanes will be deprived of a major tool to delay these projects that may accompany controversial 'road diets'.
Google Pulls Back the Curtain on its Secretive Maps Program
Alexis C. Madrigal get exclusive access to "Ground Truth," Google's project to develop the most accurate maps in the world. But why is the master of the virtual world so intent on documenting the physical world?
Hoboken's Innovative Car-Share Program Provides National Model, While Locals Grumble
Lauded by transit advocates, and garnering attention from cities across America, an experimental car-sharing program in Hoboken has proven effective in dissuading private car use. If only the city's residents were as happy with its success.
Chicago Prioritizes Pedestrian Safety
This week, the Chicago Department of Transportation unveiled the city's first pedestrian plan, aimed at improving the long-term safety of Chicago's walkers, reports Bridget Doyle.
Democratic Platform: Strong on Sustainability, Short on Transportation Specifics
With the Democratic convention underway in Charlotte, Streetsblog's Tanya Snyder looks for the transportation element in their platform, but finds it lacking. Sustainability refers to the economy, not to financing the infrastructure investments.
Aging Boomers Changing the Shape of Cities Across America
It's not just the Sun Cities of America that are planning for how to meet the needs of the country's coming bulge in its over-65 population. Ryan Holeywell highlights how some cities are adapting their built environments for an aging population.
To Speed Up Transit Expansion, LA Turns Again to its Voters
Impatient with the rate at which previously approved sales tax increases are able to fund the vast expansion planned for the region's transit system, and lacking in federal support, local leaders are asking LA's voters to extend a 1/2 cent sales tax.
As Chicago's Bicyclists Increase, City Struggles to Protect Them
Chris Fusco and Tina Sfondeles look at the growing rate of bike crashes reported in Chicago over the past decade. As Mayor Rahm Emanuel seeks to make it "the bike friendliest city in the country," can Chicago protect the riders it hopes to attract?
Demobilizing the "War on Cars"
Herb Caudill explains why the need to plan for a range of transportation modes and uses of space in urban environs is common sense - not part of a concerted assault on cars.
Does New Federal Transportation Funding Criteria Pave the Way for Wasteful Projects?
The new funding criteria established for the expansion of the U.S. Department of Transportation's popular TIFIA loan program may make it easier for projects such as the infamous "bridge to nowhere" to secure financing.
Dissecting Chicago's Transit Cuts
In a response to reader a question, Ken Davis goes in search of the factors that lead to Chicago Transit Authority decisions about eliminating or adding bus service.
NYC Cleans Up Subways by...Removing Trash Cans?
It seems to work for the spotless Tokyo subway system, but in grimy New York? A pilot program that removed trash cans in select NYC subway stations resulted in decreased trash hauls (duh) and cleaner stations (huh). Now it's being expanded.
Transportation Under a Romney/Ryan Administration
If Romney/Ryan win in November, we may know what to expect in terms of national transportation spending if they were to follow the Republican platform adopted on Aug. 28. In terms of increasing transportation revenue, it may not differ from Obama's.
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
