Transportation
Never Again Will Mass. Build Superhighways Says DOT Head
At a news conference this week announcing their ambitious "mode shift" campaign, Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation Richard Davey boldly announced that the state will "build no more superhighways," and work to get people out of their cars.
What Led L.A. to its Freeway-Building Frenzy?
Jeremy Rosenberg's latest entry in his "Laws That Shaped LA" column looks at the impact of the Collier-Burns Act, a state law passed in 1947 that allowed the city to become "smothered with concrete and asphalt goliaths."
Toronto to Rip Up Existing Bike Lane
Mick Sweetman of George Brown College criticizes Toronto city council's decision to remove an existing bike lane heavily used by that college's students.
Ideas Floated to Meet Texas's Road Funding Shortfall
Texas State Rep. Joe Pickett faults a recent TRIP report for not recommending a funding strategy to address the state's revenue shortfall for transportation needs. Two groups view vehicle registration fees as a funding option.
More Transit for the Same Cost? Auckland Plan Shows How
An innovate plan to reconceive Auckland's transit network from the ground up led by Jarrett Walker demonstrates the dramatic efficiencies that can be gained, without additional cost, by increasing transfers.
Return of Rail Could Be Ticket to Reviving Landmark St. Louis Station
Once a national hub of passenger rail service, St. Louis's majestic Union Station hasn't seen a train in five years. The impending sale of the station may provide the opportunity to bring a historic use back to one of the country's grand relics.
Amtrak Reports Another Record Year
The subject of recent politically charged threats, the rail carrier surpassed its record for annual passengers for the ninth time in ten years. Ridership has grown a total of 49 percent since 2000.
Bike Sharing Reaches the West Coast
Long lagging behind European and East Coast cities, cities in California are poised to adopt bike sharing in a big way. Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Francisco and others are adding the popular short-term rental service to their transportation options.
A SMART, Quiet Train in Store for S.F.'s North Bay
The planned Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) District trains will not only be quiet (though diesel-powered), but so will the crossings if cities and counties cooperate.
Can New Technologies Make Crosswalks Safer?
Kelly Smith looks at a host of technologies - from thermoplastics to video sensing systems - that local leaders in Minnesota are hoping can make crosswalks safer for pedestrians amid rising incidences of fatalities.
Where Should Your Toll Money Go?
Should the tolls you pay to traverse a bridge or highway go directly to the upkeep of that roadway, or should they go to fund transportation projects, such as public transit? Five experts debate this question in the New York Times Opinion Pages.
CA Gasoline Tradeoff: More Smog For Lower Pump Prices?
The news of the escalating gas prices was ubiquitous - local media news reports led with gas station prices that had risen 20-50 cents overnight, or stations that had closed early for lack of gas. Finally, Gov. Brown acted to alleviate the 'crisis'.
Amtrak Joins Fight Against Trafficking
Amtrak announced this week that they will train 8,000 employees across the nation on how to identify and report potential victims of human trafficking.
CA High Speed Rail Opponents Ask For Preliminary Injunction In Central Valley
With federal and state environmental clearance and with funds allocated, the main obstacle to laying track in the Fresno-Merced route is an environmental lawsuit to be be heard April, 2013. Two county farm bureaus ask that work cease until then.
The Economic Argument for Bicycling
A new report from the League of American Bicyclists highlights studies from across the U.S. showing the economic benefits of biking.
Shoup To APA: Let Planners Lead on Parking Requirements
Donald Shoup explains his disappointment with the American Planning Association's opposition to California legislation (AB 904), that would cap minimum parking requirements.
Why You Don't Drive An Electric Car
At one time in the 1900s, a third of cars in major cities were powered by electric motors. Today, only about 1% of cars are fully electric. Why did we end up with gasoline-powered cars?
Atlanta's First Painted Bicycle Lane
Atlanta is getting its first green bicycle lane, raised cycle track, bicycle signal and two-stage left-turn box near Tech Square.
Will Vancouver Lose It's Farming Mojo?
Vancouver has the most farmland and farmers in North America. However, as Vancouver booms, the thriving agricultural belt that surrounds Greater Vancouver is at risk from an expanding city.
Caltrain 'Modernization' Kicks Off With $40 Million From State HSR Bonds
In a ceremony that featured local politicians and environmentalists, Caltrain accepts $39.8 million to install Positive Train Control, a funding milestone in the commuter rail's modernization.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
