Transportation

Scooter Sharing to Premiere in the Bay Area

The next wave in shareable transportation is coming to San Francisco. Ariel Schwartz reports on the "Zipcar of electric scooters".

March 12, 2012 - Fast Co.Exisit

Untangling Our Emotions From Transit Planning

Eric Jaffe interviews Jarrett Walker, the author of a new, nonpartisan treatise on thinking rationally about transit.

March 11, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Public Transit on the Chopping Block in Detroit

The 100,000 daily riders who depend on Detroit's bus system have been feeling the effects of public transportation cuts: commute times have doubled, paychecks have suffered. But Quin Klinefelter reports the worst may be yet to come.

March 10, 2012 - NPR

As Transit Takes Off in LA, Making Sure LAX Doesn't Get Left Behind

A subject that has flummoxed transit advocates and planners in L.A. for decades is how to best connect to the city's largest airport. As planning advances for billions of dollars in transit projects, Yonah Freemark explores how best to make the link.

March 10, 2012 - the transport politic

Senate Poised to Pass Transportation Bill

Jason Jordan reports on the good news from Capitol Hill, as the Senate has agreed on a path forward to end the amendment process and pass its 2-year, $109 billion surface transportation authorization bill next week.

March 9, 2012 - APA Policy News

New Head of California High-Speed Rail Engineers a Change of Course

With less than two months under his belt as the new chairman of the High Speed Rail Authority, Dan Richard has made significant shifts in strategy for the project and is generating optimism for a fresh start, reports Ken Orski.

March 8, 2012 - Infrastructure USA

Are Driverless Cars and Complete Streets on a Collision Course?

David Alpert tamps down the recent enthusiasm for the coming age of the self-driving car by asking what its impact will be on pedestrians and street life.

March 8, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Lost in Transportation

The inconsistent signage, representing 26 different public transportation systems in the Bay Area, leaves many riders feeling lost. Julie Caine describes the confusion and improvements underway.

March 6, 2012 - Transportation Nation

Movement to Recognize Damage of Urban Freeways Gains Speed

Several posts over the last couple of weeks build on the growing body of work illuminating the economic, physical, and social damage caused by urban highways.

March 6, 2012 - Better Cities & Towns

Learn To Love The Bus

It may not be sexy and it may not be fast, but the time has come to acknowledge the key role that the much maligned form of public transit will have in solving cities’ mobility woes, writes Will Doig.

March 5, 2012 - Salon.com

In the Inevitable World of the Self-Driving Car, How Will An Intersection Work?

Yes, the subject may seem a little dry at first, but have a look at the intersection modeling shown in Emily Badger's recent article to see what continuously flowing traffic looks like at an intersection. A brave new world indeed.

March 4, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

New Funding is Needed as the Highway Trust Fund Nears Empty

As the Highway Trust Fund goes bankrupt, the editors of Bloomberg suggest new ways to finance transportation infrastructure that integrates new technology, increasing public-private associations and loosening the funding framework itself.

March 3, 2012 - Bloomberg

Has Increased Urbanism Initiated A Decline In American Driving?

Eric Jaffe discusses new charts released last week that purport to show the continued decline of vehicle-miles traveled in the United States, and wonders if increased urbanism can be credited as the cause.

March 2, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

In Atlanta, A Transit Tax Battle Brews

Yonah Freemark reports on the conundrum faced by the 10-county Atlanta region over how to allocate expected revenues from a new sales tax intended to fund transit projects.

March 2, 2012 - the transport politic

Uncertainty Dominates House's Next Step in Transportation Reauthorization

The House is working to amend its transportation bill, but what takes its place is far from certain. Burgess Everett reports on speculation that the GOP is aiming to shorten the length to two years, and make a host of other changes.

March 1, 2012 - Politico

What Is the Best Way to Improve Safety for Cyclists and Pedestrians?

In response to an eye-opening Atlantic Cities article about the lack of enforcement of traffic laws in NYC, especially as it contributes to pedestrian and cyclist injuries and deaths, four esteemed debaters offer opinions on how to improve safety.

February 29, 2012 - The New York Times - Room For Debate

Top Planning Trends of 2011-2012

February 27, 2012 - Jonathan Nettler

A Block Too Pretty For Subway Entrances?

East 69th Street is mobilizing to halt the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's plan to add subway entrances on their tony block - needed to handle displaced crowd flows from adding required ADA elevators at the 68th Street entrances.

February 27, 2012 - The New York Times - N.Y. / Region

If You Build It Will They Come, On Bikes?

Eric Jaffe reports on a new study that aims to conclusively answer the question of whether bike paths and bike lanes actually promote more bike riders.

February 27, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

HOV-to-HOT Conversion Seen as Key to Easing Congestion

Robert Poole reports on efforts across the country to reduce freeway congestion through HOV-to-HOT conversion and public-private partnerships.

February 27, 2012 - reason.com

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.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

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