Transportation

Pittsburgh's Mayoral Candidate Pitches Light Rail Expansion

The University of Pittsburgh's student newspaper reports on mayoral candidate Bill Peduto's proposal to extend the city's light rail system to connect to Oakland, where three of the city's largest employers (including Pitt) reside.

August 28, 2013 - The Pitt News

Conspicuous Consumption: The Importance of Bike Share Branding

Bike-share users in Montreal, New York, Minneapolis, and D.C. all have one thing in common, they're sitting atop the same Bixi bike designed by Michel Dallaire. How each city brands their bikes is a potent statement and key piece of their success.

August 27, 2013 - Designers & Books

Bay Area Preps for Yet Another Transbay Closure

This time it's not BART that's closing down. In fact, BART will be running 24-hour service after the Bay Bridge shuts down Wednesday at 8 pm for five days in preparation for the opening of the long-awaited, new eastern span on September 3 at 5 am.

August 27, 2013 - The San Francisco Examiner

Hindenburg Disaster

Top Ten Epic Fails in Mass Transit

Photo essay reviews some of history's most notable failed mass transit projects.

August 26, 2013 - Wired

Traffic Light

Speed-Camera Dispute Points to Larger Planning Issue

In recent months, a massive speed-camera program has been causing quite a stir in the tiny town of Elmwood Place, Ohio.

August 26, 2013 - Atlantic Cities

transportation

Complicated Duality of Pacific Northwest's Green Image

The energy industry's plans to transport oil and coal bound for Asia via rail through the Pacific Northwest provokes outrage and a lawsuit.

August 26, 2013 - The New York Times

Texas State Capitol building

Lacking Funds for Repair, Texas Unpaves its Roads

Unable to find funding to repair roads damaged by the booming oil industry traffic, Texas will convert asphalt roads to gravel. Texas's gas tax is among the lowest in the nation.

August 26, 2013 - The Texas Tribune

Prospect Park Bike Lane

Bike Lanes Boost Local Businesses

A study of Seattle's bike lanes and small businesses shows that bike lanes strengthen local business sales.

August 26, 2013 - ASLA's The Dirt blog

Janette Sadik-Khan at Manhattan Bridge Archway opening

Janette Sadik-Khan Previews NACTO's Street Design Guide

Janette Sadik-Khan, NYC DOT Commissioner and president of the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), discusses NACTO's mission and forthcoming Street Design Guide: a "permission slip" for cities to change their streets.

August 25, 2013 - Future Cities

New York Cycling

Please Use Bike Share, Just Don't Ride Home from the Bar

Cheaper than a cab and more appealing than waiting for a train, Citi Bike has become a popular means of late night travel for New Yorkers. The Times finds the need to point out to overly enthusiastic users that biking while drunk isn't exactly legal.

August 25, 2013 - The New York Times

Walkable DC

New Tool for Measuring Neighborhood Walkability

Watch out Walk Score, you've got some competition. Mapping company Maponics is measuring pedestrian-friendliness with a new tool called 'Walkability'. They measure several factors Walk Score doesn't, including crime, street type, and speed limit.

August 24, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Containerizing the Opera

From student dorms to pop-up shops, the potential uses for the world's ubiquitous shipping containers seemingly has few bounds. A New Jersey parking lot and 1,300 containers play the part of the New York Metropolitan Opera's warehouse.

August 24, 2013 - The New York Times

Juice Up for Free While You Fly at Denver Airport

In a move that may quell 'range anxiety' for travelers, the far-flung Denver International Airport will soon be offering ten free charging stations for travelers to charge their electric vehicles while they're away.

August 23, 2013 - The Denver Post

Woman in Bike Lane, Toronto, Canada

Slow Cyclists Race to Enjoy the Ride

Slow bicycling groups and events allow people to socialize, exercise, and never worry about being left behind, reports Jennifer Levitz.

August 23, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

Congressional Congestion Threatens L.A.'s Transit Projects

Could L.A.'s ambitious transit expansion plans become a victim of Congressional budget battles? The extension of the city's subway and downtown Regional Connector are among the projects funded by the Senate but neglected by the House.

August 22, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Plan Bay Area: Sued From the Right, Now the Left

Plan Bay Area must be doing something right as it seems to be antagonizing those on both ends of the planning spectrum. First, a libertarian group sues because of "densification", and now environmentalists sue because not enough funds go for transit.

August 22, 2013 - KQED News

Could Chicago Transit Agencies Soon Have to Compete for Funding?

Chicago's Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is considering overhauling how it distributes funds to the area's three transit operators: the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus and rail system, Metra commuter rail, and Pace suburban bus system.

August 21, 2013 - Chicago Tribune

trax light rail train in foreground, snow-covered mountains in background

Utah Rail System Finishes Ahead of Schedule and $300 Million Under Budget

DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx and U.S. Senator Orin Hatch (R-Utah) attended the grand opening of the fifth and final rail line of Utah Transit Authority's (UTA) Frontlines 2015 Program, two years ahead of schedule and $300 million under budget.

August 21, 2013 - Deseret News

Taking Bicycle Parking to the Streets

We can best thank Portland and other pioneers for all their hard work with on-street bicycle parking (a.k.a. "bike corrals") by simply benefitting ourselves from their efforts. Here's how...

August 21, 2013 - Ian Sacs

main street in hamburg, new york

Road Diet Paves the Way for Town's Return to a 'Wonderful Life'

Community resistance stopped plans for widening Hamburg, New York's Main Street. By embracing calmer streets, the town is flourishing and once again enjoying comparisons to the idyllic Bedford Falls of 'It's a Wonderful Life.'

August 20, 2013 - The New York Times

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.