Transportation

Sadik-Kahn Comes to Car-centric L.A.

NY DOT head Janette Sadik-Kahn spoke in Los Angeles earlier this week to a adoring crowd, with advice on how to make room for bikes and pedestrians.

March 26, 2010 - The Los Angeles Times

TOD Plans Approved in White Flint

Montgomery County officials have approved plans to build an extensive new transit-oriented neighborhood at the area around the White Flint Metro stop in North Bethesda, Maryland. The plan is one of the largest in the D.C. area since the 1950s.

March 26, 2010 - The Washington Post

Traffic Survey Paints Picture of New York City Congestion

Through a survey of New York City taxis with GPS tracking devices, the city has created a database of speeds and routes that gives them a clear picture of the state of traffic in the city.

March 26, 2010 - The New York Times

How New York Crowned the Car

Detroit may have been the Motor City, but New York City was where the car became king, according to a new book and exhibit which look at the history of the automobile in New York in the early 1900s.

March 26, 2010 - The New York Times

Florida's Fast Train Connects to Slow Buses

The NYT examines problems with Florida's high speed rail line that received $1.25 billion in HSR stimulus funds. In addition to weak transit connections at both ends, the 84-mile route has five stops, increasing the total trip time.

March 25, 2010 - The New York Times - U.S.

Experts Weigh in on Question of Bike-Car Equality

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently wrote on his blog that bicyclists would no longer be overlooked by federal transportation policy. National Journal asks its panel of experts whether cars and bikes should be treated equally.

March 25, 2010 - National Journal

NYC Transportation Head Offers Advice to LA

This video from Streetfilms shows excerpts from a recent speech in Los Angeles by New York City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, who had some advice for the traffic-plagued California city.

March 24, 2010 - Streetsblog

Challenges Face Ambitious New Metro Officials in Houston

When five new board members will join the Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority next month, they'll inherit a host of systemic problems and one of the toughest economic climates in decades.

March 24, 2010 - The Houston Chronicle

Transfers, Bus Lanes, and More: What LA Metro Isn't Doing to Attract Riders

Columnist David Lazarus looks at how L.A. Metro could increase transit usage, in the wake of reports showing how expensive it is to drive instead.

March 24, 2010 - The Los Angeles Times

20mph Zones Saving Lives in London

Over the last decade, London has established more than four hundred 20 mph zones across the city. The 10mph decrease has had a significant effect on the number of fatalities.

March 23, 2010 - Streetsblog

Overdue Debut of Austin Light Rail Line

Austin's Capital MetroRail Red Line opens today after two years of delay and budget overruns. Intended as a showcase line, Yonah Freemark claims the line will see very few riders.

March 22, 2010 - the transport politic

Does Greater Efficiency Encourage Greater Waste?

Jevon's Paradox is the idea that the more efficient a resource becomes, the more it is consumed. With new future fuels in the works, those promoting sustainability and conservation find themselves at odds with innovation.

March 22, 2010 - Fast Company

Regional Taxes For Transportation?

The NYT looks at a provision in a state assembly bill to restore transit funding to beleaguered CA transit agencies by allowing voters in regions to approve gas fees. Not only was the provision dropped by the Senate - the governor vetoed the bill.

March 22, 2010 - The New York Times - U.S.

Funding for Las Vegas Maglev Instead Going to Highway Construction

A $45 million federal earmark to help fund a maglev train between Los Angeles and Las Vegas is instead going to widening a freeway connection to the airport.

March 22, 2010 - Las Vegas Sun

A Middle Eastern Oasis for Sustainable Transportation

Like the U.S. in the mid-20th Century, much of the growth in Abu Dhabi over the last 35 years has catered primarily to the automobile. But new plans are re-wiring the city to make Abu Dhabi's streets more hospitable to pedestrians.

March 22, 2010 - Gary Toth

Finding Ways to Create "Emerald Necklaces" in Built-Out Cities

A string of connected parks laced through cities has been a vision of city planners since the days of Olmsted. Ben Welle of the Center for City Park Excellence has some ideas how that that vision can be implemented today.

March 19, 2010 - City Parks Blog

Waterfront Rail Plans Advance in Philadelphia

Plans to construct a waterfront rail line in Philadelphia are moving forward, with the recent approval of a $6.5 million contract to perform environmental reviews.

March 19, 2010 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

'Dooring' Claims Bronx Cyclist

It's yet another anecdotal reason for cyclists to bike well clear of the 'door zone' - and engineers and planners to ensure that cyclists have room to do so. Megan Charlop's bicycle ricocheted off a car door directly into the path of a city bus.

March 19, 2010 - Daily News

The Car Reconsidered

When most people use their cars in urban settings, what sort of vehicle is optimal? MIT's Media Lab asks the question, in their quest to invent the next generation of personal mobility.

March 18, 2010 - Metropolis Magazine

High Speed Rail Sprawl

Some planners are warning that high speed rail could spur exurban growth and sprawl.

March 18, 2010 - Wired

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

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