Transportation

Russia Takes its Own Route to Auto Efficiency

Vehicles driven by Russia's abundant supplies of natural gas put hybrids to shame with their mileage per gallon. Gazprom is betting that it can expand the market for such vehicles beyond the country's lower-income and rural drivers.

April 12, 2013 - The New York Times

Extend the 7-Train to New Jersey? Not Such a Long Shot

A study commissioned by the city of New York makes a compelling case for extending the city's subway system beyond the five boroughs.

April 12, 2013 - Capital

Indianapolis Street

For a Model Complete Streets Policy, Look to Indianapolis

Smart Growth America has recognized the best of the 130 complete streets policies approved last year across the United States; and the one passed by Indianapolis has received the highest ranking.

April 12, 2013 - DC.Streetsblog

The Invisible Answer to Bike Helmet Hair

Developed by industrial designers Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin, the Hovding is an "invisible bicycle helmet" that may be the key to unlocking anxiety over mandatory helmet laws.

April 12, 2013 - Upworthy

Los Angeles Harbor Freeway

L.A.'s New HOT Lanes Not Working as Planned

Yes, L.A.'s first foray into congestion pricing has improved travel times for those utilizing the high occupancy/toll lanes, but congestion has gotten worse in all other lanes, to the surprise of planners.

April 11, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Finding Parking in New York About to Get a Lot Easier

With a new pilot program, New York City is joining the growing list of cities launching apps to connect drivers to public parking spaces. A new app, called PayByPhone, will let drivers find and pay for parking from their phones.

April 11, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

Transportation and Community Revitalization a Focus of Obama's 2014 Budget

In President Obama's newly released 2014 budget proposal, planners will find much to applaud. But what are the chances those nuggets will survive the contentious negotiations to come?

April 11, 2013 - APA Policy News

At this Drive-In Cafe, Enjoy a Coffee Without Leaving Your Bike

As part of a plan to encourage non-motorized transport in Zurich, the city is experimenting with amenities designed to attract cyclists, including a rethink of a classic symbol of American car culture - the drive-in restaurant.

April 10, 2013 - Good

Gas Tax Legislation Facing Uphill Battles In VT, NH, NV

Now that Maryland has joined Wyoming in increasing its gas tax, who's next? Gas tax legislation in New Hampshire and Vermont have advanced to their Senates where going is rough, and a new, "two-cent a year for a decade" bill is proposed for Nevada.

April 10, 2013 - The Washington Post

Ghan Train Australia

The World's Most Amazing Train Trips

With the pleasures of train travel again attracting customers around the world, the staff at Executive Travel magazine have put together a list of the most scenic journeys traversed by rail.

April 10, 2013 - Huffington Post

Excitement Builds as First New York Bike-Share Stations Deployed

Brooklyn Spoke excitedly reports on the first sightings of what will eventually become the largest bike-share system in the United States. NYC DOT has begun installing docking stations throughout the city.

April 10, 2013 - Brooklyn Spoke

Heavyweight Fight Brewing Over Future of Madison Square Garden

The "World's Most Famous Arena" has seen many title fights in its day. But a looming decision about the renewal of the venue's special permit, and the future of Penn Station, has New York's political and real estate heavyweights entering the ring.

April 9, 2013 - Crain's New York Business

The Next Step in Downtown Pittsburgh's Resurgence: Build More Parking?

With an approaching mayoral transition, Mark Belko looks at what Pittsburgh's next leader will need to focus on to keep downtown's rejuvenation rolling. Should building more parking be at the top of the list?

April 8, 2013 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Paradox of the EPA's Clean Fuel Rules

The EPA's newly proposed rules to reduce sulfur in gasoline may have the perverse effect of making alternative vehicles, that is, those that don't run on gasoline, less competitive with conventional vehicles and ensure that we remain addicted to oil.

April 8, 2013 - The New York Times - Energy & Environment

Transformation of D.C. Area Commute On Track for This Year

With construction of the D.C. subway system's newest extension 90 percent complete, the Silver Line is set to transform the region's transportation patterns, and Northern Virginia's in particular.

April 8, 2013 - The Washington Post

Does Walkability Equal Walking?

Using data from the Women’s Health Initiative, a new study reveals that a walkable environment may not be enough to get people to walk more.

April 8, 2013 - KPLU

Interest in City-Center Living a Key to Integrating Cape Town

Twenty years after the end of apartheid in South Africa, Cape Town is preparing to become World Design Capital. Zoe Dare Hall looks at the coastal city's burgeoning real estate market, which reflects two decades of integrative planning.

April 8, 2013 - Financial Times

San Diego Rail

San Diego's Omission from High-Speed Rail: Customary Curse or Blessing in Disguise?

Is California's High-Speed Rail (HSR) a "boondoggle" for the state, as its critics assert, or just a boondoggle for omitted cities? How should such cities deal with omission from HSR? San Diego is a case in point.

April 7, 2013 - UrbDeZine.com

Cars are the Cholesterol of Buenos Aires’ Veins

The problem of increasing congestion is plaguing the development of the city of Buenos Aires, not to mention the deleterious effects on residents' quality of life.

April 7, 2013 - Global Site Plans - The Grid

Illicit Intervention Creates Protected Bike Lane in Seattle

In what is certainly one of the most polite forms of civil disobedience we've ever encountered, a small group of guerrilla urbanists installed bike lane protectors along a Seattle street one recent night. They kindly made them easy to remove.

April 7, 2013 - Seattle Bike Blog

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.

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100 Most Influential Urbanists

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