Transportation

Has Portland Lost Its Edge?

Rep. Earl Blumenauer says that Portland has done great things, but that other cities are catching up to the city's formula for success and will soon outstrip them.

November 15, 2011 - Oregon Metro

L.A. Vision, U.S. Promise: Implications of the America Fast Forward Proposal

Long known as a land of sprawl and disconnected communities, Los Angeles has emerged as a leader in transit investments, providing forward-thinking leadership for how infrastructure finance can and should continue, even in difficult financial times, writes Allison Brooks and Darnell Chadwick Grisby of Reconnecting America.

November 14, 2011 - Allison Brooks

Georgians Gung Ho for New Passenger Rail

Passenger rail used to connect Columbus, Georgia with Atlanta, but the tracks have been silent since 1970. Today, local leaders and activists are pushing for a restoration of train service to Atlanta from Macon, Athens and Columbus.

November 14, 2011 - The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Railroad Companies Repairing Infrastructure On Their Own

Transit agencies and railroad companies realize the importance of infrastructure, as their train cars roll over bridges and through tunnels every day. This article looks at advances in bridge construction begin driven by these private industries.

November 14, 2011 - Progressive Railroading

Could a Brain-Reading Bike Be the Wave of the Future?

Bicycle builders Parlee Bikes have constructed a bicycle that can be steered by your thoughts, received through a sensor-covered helmet.

November 14, 2011 - AutoBlogGreen

Gas Prices On The Rise Despite Reduced Gas Consumption

Americans are driving less and more efficiently, resulting in reduced gas consumption - yet prices are rising. What gives? For a nation that relies on oil imports despite surging drilling, the answer is unusual.

November 14, 2011 - Los Angeles Times - Business

People Report Walking or Riding Transit More Than They Actually Do

Alan Pisarski says despite reports of growth in walking, biking, carpooling and transit, very little has changed in the U.S., and people will always over-report their good intentions.

November 13, 2011 - New Geography

Setback for HSR in San Jose to San Francisco Environmental Analysis

Three neighboring Peninsula cities scored a major victory in court by forcing the CA High Speed Rail Authority to reopen and revise the environmental document for the San Jose to San Francisco segment that they had hoped was finally completed.

November 13, 2011 - Palo Alto Online News

Boston Area Cities Receive Smart Growth Funding

Each of the cities just north of Boston will use its federal funds however it sees fit to boost smart growth principles and local economic development.

November 13, 2011 - The Boston Globe

In Beach Towns, Parking Bans are DIY

It's notoriously difficult to park in Southern California beach cities, but as Tony Barboza reports, not all "no parking" signs are legitimate.

November 13, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

Gov Reafirms Faith In Controversial CA High Speed Rail Project

The cost of CA's high speed rail system has doubled, but Gov. Brown has shown his faith in the authority in charge of the 800-mile system by asking the legislature, many of whom oppose HSR, to release bond funds the voters approved three years ago.

November 12, 2011 - Los Angeles Times: Environment

"Rare Show of Bipartisanship" Behind Highway Overhaul Legislation

The two-year transportation Senate bill would mean improved infrastructure, jobs, and state-level flexibility. And as far as both parties are concerned, it's a winner.

November 12, 2011 - NPR

Tysons Corner Comprehensive Plan Stymies Project

Citing the city's need for private dollars to contribute to $810 million in road improvements, developers of one residential development has indefinitely shelved its plans.

November 12, 2011 - Capital Business - The Washington Post

Breaking News: Judge Puts Kibosh on California HSR Route

Sacramento Superior Court Judge Michael Kenny ruled against the CA High-Speed Rail Authority in a lawsuit brought on by the cities of Palo Alto, Menlo Park to stop the train running through their communities.

November 11, 2011 - The San Jose Mercury News

What a Transportation Engineer Calls "Walkable"

A transportation engineer sent Charles Marohn a video to prove how walkable his "diverging diamond" overpass design is. Marohn overdubbed his not-so-flattering reply.

November 11, 2011 - New Urban Network

Streetcars are Go in Cincinnati

In Cincinnati, voters have defeated an attempt to block the city's new streetcar, which now will move forward and could be operational as early as 2013. The new streetcar will link downtown and the uptown district around the University.

November 11, 2011 - Sustainable Cities Collective

Much of Future Measure R Money to Pay For "L.A. Roadworks"

Mayor Villaraigosa plans to borrow against future Measure R money to fund one massive, two-year road improvement project before he leaves office.

November 11, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

Does the Chicago Parking Fee Actually Target Rush-Hour Parkers?

Chicago aldermen have challenged the times at which the contentious parking fee would be enforced, namely in the early morning and evenings. Mayor Emanuel and his staff have responded, but, according to the Tribune staff, maybe not adequately.

November 11, 2011 - Chicago Tribune

Drilling For Highway Trust Fund Dollars

To maintain current transportation spending levels in the new reauthorization bill, Speaker Boehner is proposing a bill to fill the shortfall from projected federal gas tax revenues with the royalties expected from new oil and gas drilling.

November 10, 2011 - The Washington Post: Ezra Klein's Wonkblog

Metra Announces Price Hikes

Metra, Chicago's regional rail provider, has announced that it will increase fares starting in February 2012. For over 300,000 weekday riders, the price increase will mean hundreds of dollars more in fares per year.

November 10, 2011 - World Socialist Web Site

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.