Transportation

Amtrak Service Dominates D.C. to Boston Travel Market

Long lines at airport security and weather delays have contributed to Amtrak's commanding travel mode share between D.C. and NYC, and majority share between NYC and Boston, but the lead is threatened by the competition and aging infrastructure.

August 17, 2012 - The New York Times - Business Day

Europeans Have More Cars Than Americans - Say What?

The love affair between Americans and their cars is a well known trope. But according to a new paper from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on worldwide car usage, America's car ownership rate is among the lowest in the developed world.

August 16, 2012 - The Atlantic

Making Art out of America's Interstates

They may not be pretty to drive, but they sure are nice to look at from afar. Kelsey Campbell-Dollaghan profiles the work of aerial photographer Peter Andrew, who captures the beauty in America's Interstate System.

August 16, 2012 - Fast Company Co.Design

L.A. Eases Parking Requirements to Activate Streets

This week L.A. City Council members voted to approve an ordinance that gives the city more flexibility to lower parking requirements in select areas of the city to encourage adaptive reuse and walkability, report David Zahniser and Kate Linthicum.

August 16, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

There’s a Lot Riding on U.S. DOT’s Definition of 'Congestion'

As the new federal transportation bill, known as MAP-21, moves to the implementation stage, major finding decisions will ride on the nuances by which the U.S. DOT defines and measures "congestion," "roadway performance," and "cost effectiveness".

August 16, 2012 - Streetsblog Capitol Hill

No Room for Street Vendors on Model Roads

"Model road" project in the Indian city of Ahmedabad has sidewalks, crosswalks, and on-street parking, but no street vendors.

August 16, 2012 - The Times Of India

Desire for Streetcars Spreads Across America

From Atlanta to Kansas City to Los Angeles, cities across the country are welcoming a return of streetcars to their downtowns in the hopes of boosting economic growth and improving circulation. Some see the cars as just the latest urban planning fad.

August 15, 2012 - The Wall Street Journal

Auto Dealers Seek 'Gas Price Floor'

Would raising the gas tax to $1 and establishing a 'gasoline price floor' provide market stability for auto dealers? Some dealers, including the nation's largest, say 'yes'. Economists agree. Politically impossible? Read on.

August 15, 2012 - National Journal

Wayfinding in New York Gets a New Look

With the Federal Highway Administration mandating mixed-case signage nationwide, New Yorkers are getting used to the city's new generation of street signs, writes David W. Dunlap.

August 15, 2012 - The New York Times

$6 Billion D.C. Transit Project Threatened by Reckless Board

The board of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, in charge of the region's most expensive transportation project in decades, has come under fire in recent days from federal officials for being dysfunctional, out of control and secretive.

August 14, 2012 - The Washington Post

London's Crossrail Offers Ticket to Economic Growth

The Crossrail train service being built in London will not only drastically decrease commuter travel times, it is also expected to catalyze the transformation of areas along its route, reports Graham Norwood.

August 14, 2012 - Financial Times

Chinese Cities Following Unsustainable Trail Blazed by Western Planners

As part of a Foreign Policy magazine special report on cities, Peter Calthorpe examines the form of China's urban growth, which is beginning to resemble the car-oriented development of the United States in the 1950s and 60s.

August 13, 2012 - Foreign Policy

With Ryan on Board, Differences in Campaign Transportation Policies Become Clear

With Mitt Romney's announcement of Paul Ryan as his running mate, America's Presidential campaign is heating up. With Ryan, and his policies, attached to the ticket, Yonah Freemark looks at the contrast in transportation policy with President Obama.

August 13, 2012 - the transport politic

Milan's Congestion Charge Halted By Court Action

Milan's six-month-old congestion charge, indirectly authorized by public referendum and by all measures successful in reducing traffic, crashes, and pollution, has been brought to an abrupt end by the successful appeal of a parking garage owner.

August 13, 2012 - The New York Times - Europe

Zurich's Parking Policy Evolution: Cap & Replace

Zurich underwent a major parking policy change for its downtown - from 'predict and provide' (i.e. parking minimums) to 'cap and replace'. When a new parking space is provided, a surface parking space is designated toward public plazas.

August 13, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Now Mainstream, What Does the Future Hold for Once-Fringe Alternative Transportation Advocates?

J. David Goodman spotlights New York-based Transportation Alternatives, the 40-year-old pedestrian, bicycle, and transit advocacy organization that has become a potent political force.

August 12, 2012 - The New York Times

Plans for Passenger Rail Return to South Florida

This week it was announced that a private company will pick up the passenger rail ball dropped last year by Gov. Rick Scott by financing a $1 billion project to connect downtown Miami to Orlando by 2014.

August 12, 2012 - Miami Herald

China's Rapidly Expanding Inland Cities

The mostly unfamiliar cities of China's vast inland territories are growing at an exponential rate, attracting global businesses, infrastructure investment, and residents in search of opportunities.

August 12, 2012 - NPR

Laws Fail to Keep Up With Efforts to Encourage Biking and Walking

As cities across the world expand their infrastructure to support more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly environments, outdated laws still support the use of streets by automobiles over people.

August 11, 2012 - Governing

Is Latin America the Next Biking Paradise?

From Buenos Aires, to Mexico City, to Bogota, cities across Latin America are embracing the bicycle. Across Central and South America, bike lane miles and the numbers of bicycles on the streets are on the rise.

August 11, 2012 - The Wall Street Journal

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

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.