Transportation
Supermodel Sirens on "Sanctuary" Island
Is there an ideal model for a city's circulation, a "supermodel"? Fanis Grammenos reviews a new paper that proposes the use of organic forms first recognized by Christopher Alexander.
San Francisco Bike Plan Ban Lifted
A 4-year legal battle over whether SF's bike plan was in compliance with the state's environmental law has been settled - the city has the go-ahead to resume planning and implementing new bike facilities designed to increase bike riding.
Is There Enough Room For Everyone On America's Roads?
Tom Madigan asks: "is it still possible to promote new bicycling and walking options in harmony with vehicular traffic? Or as city space gets more limited, will planners have to take sides?"
The Future Needs of Cities
One of the problems with investing in large infrastructure, and transportation in particular, is that it's difficult to predict the needs of future cities, says Mathias Crawford. If we're all telecommuting, will we need buses?
Could Meetings on The Subway Become As Common As Graffiti?
The current norm of commuting, which happens all at once and too often by car, is placing too much stress on our infrastructure, our resources and even our emotional health. Melissa Lafsky reports how the structure of our workdays could be changed.
Michigan Pinning Revitalization Hopes on Batteries
Backed by funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Michigan has invested heavily in setting up factories to make batteries for electric vehicles like the Chevy Volt.
Bike Boom in Britain
Bicycle sales are up 25% in the U.K., and bike infrastructure is keeping pace. Commuters are biking farther and more often, and even bicycle sporting events are seeing greater participation.
Gas Tax for Highways Only?
The gas tax is being spread too thin on a broad range of transportation projects, according to the Reason Foundation. They say the gas-tax should be directed towards its original recipient: highways.
Detroit Light Rail Questioned
An environmental impact study will be launched to look at a possible 9.3-mile light rail line in Detroit. Time's blog questions whether it's really such a smart move to build the line.
Preserving Business During Construction Clutter
New transit facilities attract lots of foot traffic, but while the facility is being built the construction clutter drives potential customers away. A new program in Minneapolis attempts to preserve local businesses through the debris.
Traffic Tightens in Moscow
Traffic has become thick and widespread throughout Moscow, where long lines of cars harken back to the dying days of the Soviet era.
Can Bikes and Transit Lead to U.N. Control of our Cities?
Colorado gubernatorial candidate Dan Maes thinks so. He's telling voters that Mayor John Hickenlooper of Denver's sustainability initiatives aren't as harmless as you'd think. "That's exactly the attitude they want you to have," says Maes.
Drive-Thrus Banned at Birthplace
The city of Baldwin Park, California -- purported home of the world's first drive-thru -- is temporarily banning any new construction of drive-thrus to try to combat obesity.
San Francisco Parking Battle Shows Limits Of Smart Planning
Neighbors are in uproar over a 71-unit affordable housing project planned on a bus-turnaround in a residential area of San Francisco because it provides only 7 parking spaces. Is smart growth planning getting ahead of itself by becoming top-down?
Bikes and Peds A Threat to the Car?
National Journal asks its panel of transportation experts whether the car is really threatened by the rise in policy focus on pedestrians and cyclists.
Crazy Bus Concept from China
With mounting traffic and road space at a premium, a Chinese company is proposing a unusual new idea for public transportation -- a bus/light rail system that cars can drive underneath.
LaHood Repeats Vow: No New Fuel Taxes & No VMT Fee
While acknowledging that the 18.4 cent gas tax is insufficient to meet today's and tomorrow's transportation needs, LaHood said that increasing fuel taxes now would jeopardize the economic recovery.
The Daily Commute and The Daily Protest in Mexico City
Frequent street closures due to unregulated protest -- up to about 7 per day -- clog the streets of Mexico City, leaving some hungry for a more active response from the government.
Fuzzy Connection Between Transportation Policy and Obesity?
Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is paying close attention to the link between transportation options and obesity in America. Next American City's Willy Staley looks at whether this attention will fight the epidemic.
Benefits and Burdens in Post-World Cup South Africa
The 2010 World Cup has ended in South Africa. What's left behind are a number of physical and cultural legacies that will be both landmark developments and potential economic hazards.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
