Transportation

The Rise and Fall of the Cul-de-Sac

In the 1930s, The Federal Housing Authority embraced the trend towards cul-de-sacs, decrying the standard street grid as monotonous and unsafe. Norman Garrick and Wesley Marshall have proven otherwise.

September 19, 2011 - The Atlantic Cities

Another Look at Bicycle Advocacy

Blue argues that bicycle advocates need to consider the economic perspective of all individuals that use bicycles as transportation. Not all who bicycle do it by choice, says Blue.

September 19, 2011 - Grist

Time's Almost Up for New York's Parking Meters

On Monday, Manhattan's last traditional parking meters will be uprooted and replaced by a sleek, solar-powered machine. This article contains a brief look back at the joys and pains of the meter as well as a glimpse forward.

September 19, 2011 - New York Times

Bike Congestion Problems in Copenhagen

When the rest of the world is campaigning relentlessly for people to even consider using bicycles, the model city that started the movement is facing a unique problem of its own. Too many bikes during rush hour renders the activity dangerous to some.

September 17, 2011 - The Guardian

Transportation Deal Reached

Had a deal with Sen. Tom Coburn not been reached on Friday, a shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration would have begun Saturday morning. Coburn's issue, characterized by NPR as 'flowers vs. bridges', will be dealt with in final bill.

September 17, 2011 - NPR

Friday Funny: Mode Share Confusion

So how would you count the mode share of this commuter?

September 16, 2011 - Reddit

Maryland Lays Out Plan to Combat Sprawl

A large chunk of the state's developed land is designated as low to very low single-family residential, which explains an exceptionally high percentage of workers who commute to work alone. PlanMaryland seeks to change this unsustainable trend.

September 16, 2011 - The Atlantic

NYC Residents Suggesting Locations for New Bike Share Stations

Earlier this week, New York City officials announced a new bikeshare system that will be available to New Yorkers in 2012.

September 16, 2011 - TheCityFix.com

Tea Party Rejects Light Rail Because of Potential Terrorism

Arguing against a regional transportation tax, the Georgia Tea Party says that we shouldn't build any more light rail because terrorists might see it as an attractive target.

September 15, 2011 - Treehugger

Fed. Transpo' Extension Halted Over Bike Funding

U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-OK, came through with his promise to stop the clean extension of the transportation bill - and extension of the fed. gas tax, over the inclusion of what are known as 'enhancements' including bike/ped/livability programs.

September 15, 2011 - Steetsblog Capitol Hill

Clean Cars May Lose Express Lane Privilege in LA

Single occupant electric vehicles retained access to carpool lanes in California, while hybrid owners lost it on July 1st.

September 15, 2011 - Los Angeles Times: Environment

A Gradual Approach to Improve a Busy San Francisco Street

San Francisco has made steps to avert cars from Market Street, but the next steps to alleviate congestion are vague. A gradual rollout of trial experiments to gauge a method's success seems the most likely answer, reports Rachel Gordon.

September 14, 2011 - San Francisco Chronicle

House Approves 'Clean' Transportation Extension Bill

After a mere 45 minutes of debate on the House floor, Obama's requested transportation bill extension was approved by voice vote - unanimously. The extension will be for six months (not four as Senate committee had approved) and extends the gas tax.

September 14, 2011 - DC.Streetsblog

Commuters Find Car-Free Lifestyle Easy in Washington D.C.

More than a quarter of D.C. households are car-free, federal data shows. The diverse options such as an efficient public transportation, bike share and Zipcar program make it easier for residents to ditch their cars.

September 13, 2011 - The Washington Post

I (Heart) Sadik-Khan

Janette Sadik-Khan, transportation commissioner, gets unfettered praise in a New York bike lane. Frank Bruni looks at the significant legacy she has already built.

September 13, 2011 - The New York Times

"I Don't Believe People Are Going to Give Up On Wheels"

Michael Schrage, a MIT Sloan School of Management transportation research fellow, explains why he thinks people will never give up on driving and what he thinks the options are.

September 13, 2011 - Earth & Industry

Streetcar Manufacturers See Boom Ahead in U.S.

At least 80 U.S. and Canadian cities have a streetcar system in the works or are considering it, says APTA. Julie Sneider at Progressive Railroading says transit manufacturers are seeing opportunity in those numbers.

September 13, 2011 - Progressive Railroading

Detroit's Transit Boondoggle

Bill Johnson says that Detroit would do well to remember 1987's People Mover, which cost 7 times more than projected and has never reached its expected ridership.

September 12, 2011 - The Michigan View

New CA Attorney General Joins EJ Lawsuit On Diesel Truck Pollution

A warehouse and distribution center adjacent to a low-income community that would generate 1,500 additional daily diesel truck trips from the Ports of LA and Long Beach is the subject of an environment lawsuit that will be joined by AG Kamala Harris.

September 12, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

Creating Energy from Subway Motion

Like systems used in electric vehicles like the Prius, an energy company think it could attach flywheels to subway trains and use the kinetic energy of their movement to generate energy that would feed back into the system.

September 11, 2011 - Inhabitat

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.

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.