Transportation

Will President Obama's E.V. Tax Credits Only Subsidise The Rich?

At $41,000 the new Chevrolet Volt is a "rich man's ride." Charles Lane asks why is President Obama offering federal tax credits of $7,500 to help better-off American's buy expensive cars?

August 2, 2010 - Slate

Bay Area Says NO To Carpool Charges

While carpooling dropped 30% on the Bay Bridge after the first-time carpool charges were applied July 1, the Golden Gate Bridge reported a 68% drop, though it may be tied to confusion over which lane carpoolers should use with Fastrak requirement.

August 2, 2010 - Marin Independent Journal

How Hollywood Denigrates Characters Who Don't Drive

Tom Vanderbilt explains adroitly "how not having a car became Hollywood shorthand for loser." Why does the film industry have such contempt for the carless?

August 2, 2010 - Slate

Shanghai Usurps London's Throne As Home to World's Largest Metro

With 420km of network, Shanghai's metro overtook the London Underground, which has a total of 402km. But the rate of expansion is more impressive: the first line was constructed in only 1995 and it is still expanding.

August 2, 2010 - Bricoleurbanism

High Speed Rail for Wisconsin, Like it or Not

Despite what either of the state's two Republican gubernatorial candidates want, high speed rail is on its way to Wisconsin, according to DOT Secretary Ray LaHood.

August 1, 2010 - BizTimes

Variable Pricing Parking Meters Unveiled in San Francisco

San Francisco has begun a two-year test of variably-priced parking meters in an effort to see how pricing affects driving and parking decisions in parts of the city.

July 31, 2010 - San Francisco Chronicle

Small-Town Seafood Shack Creates Big Traffic Problem

A popular seafood shack in small-town Maine is causing huge traffic problems. Officials are considering a $100 million solution.

July 31, 2010 - The New York Times

Towns Across The Country Let Their Paved Roads Return To Nature

"When counties had lots of money, they paved a lot of the roads and tried to make life easier for the people who lived out here," said Stutsman County Highway Superintendent Mike Zimmerman, "Now, it's catching up to them."

July 31, 2010 - Wall Street Journal

Bike Sharing Rolls Out in Chicago

The Chicago Tribune interviews Josh Squire, the entrepreneur responsible for Chicago's bike sharing pilot program.

July 30, 2010 - Chicago Tribune

Successful Debut Of Congestion Pricing On Bay Bridge

July 1 marked the $2 premium, commuter toll on the Bay Bridge, as well as new first-time charges for car pools on all Bay Bridges, and increased tolls ($5) on seven state-owned bridges. Congestion on Bay Bridge reduced by half during morning peak.

July 30, 2010 - ABC News via KGO-TV

'Next Exit for Transportation's Future' is Generally Banal

The latest planning exhibition at the Center for Architecture has a "certain 1970s openness, a live-and-let-live philosophy, a crunchy impression enhanced by the bicycles hanging in the Center’s double-height display window," says Alexandra Lange.

July 30, 2010 - The Architect's Newspaper

Better Transportation Options to Relieve Inequality in Latin America

Safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable public transport options could be integral in addressing inequality in Latin America.

July 30, 2010 - TheCityFix

In Financially Strained Times, London Relies on Buses

The London bus network carries over twice the number of people as the underground network. "But with Britain's new coalition government preparing comprehensive budget cuts, the future of London's transport network is uncertain."

July 29, 2010 - The Global Urbanist

St. Louis Streetcar Built For "Economic Development Goals" More Than Mobility

Yonah Freemark looks at the plan for a new streetcar line on St. Louis' Loop, and concludes that the project is a valuable addition to the city more for the economic boost it will bring than the increased mobility it will bring.

July 29, 2010 - the transport politic

New York's Best Peforming Trains

The Times chose to investigate claims by transit agencies of high, on-time performance of LIRR, Metro-North, and NJ Transit by doing their own analysis and found major discrepancies. The article also indicates the infrastructure problems responsible.

July 29, 2010 - The New York Times - N.Y. / Region

The Most Dangerous Road in Georgia

Blueprint America reports from suburban Atlanta, where getting to the other side of the road is nothing to take for granted.

July 28, 2010 - PBS - Blueprint America

Performance Parking

In this radio interview, KQED-FM reporter Kitty Felde interviews UCLA professor and parking guru Don Shoup on what he now calls "performance parking", a form of smart parking that includes congestion pricing used in D.C., SF, and soon LA.

July 28, 2010 - KQED: California Report

Bike Advocacy Rule #1: Show Up!

Bike Blogger Richard Masoner offers some tips on how to successfully advocate for effective bicycle facilities, covering the gamut from bike parking to placement of bike sharrows.

July 28, 2010 - Cyclelicious (bicycle blog)

One Snapped Cable Fells Entire Transit System

In Melbourne, Australia, a frayed power line gave way today at Southern Cross Station. The resulting domino effect took out most of the city's transit system during the heavy morning commute.

July 27, 2010 - The Age (Australia)

High Speed Rail Puts Hurt on Freight

The emphasis on high speed rial in the U.S. overlooks the potential harm it could cause to the nation's powerful freight rail system, according to this piece from The Economist.

July 27, 2010 - The Economist

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.