Transportation

Janette Sadik-Khan in Action

Forbes profiles transportation commissioner extraordinaire Janette Sadik-Kahn, interviewed in the middle of the new public space on Broadway that she championed.

September 25, 2009 - Forbes

Maryland Proposes All-Electronic Toll Road

A new highway linking Montgomery to Prince Georges County in Maryland will be the first in the state to exclusively use overhead tolling technology.

September 25, 2009 - Baltimore Business Journal

Bike Commuting Surges in Portland, Oregon

Fueled by the city's investment in infrastructure, 6.4 percent of commuters in Portland, Oregon biked to work in 2008, an increase of nearly 60% over the previous year.

September 25, 2009 - The Oregonian

Frappuccino-Colored Streets

Would you slow for beige? Planners in San Francisco hope so, as they plan to differentiate sections of Market St. where they'd like traffic to slow down with 'frappuccino'-colored asphalt.

September 24, 2009 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Open Transit Data: New Yorkers Left Out in the Cold

Give software developers open transit data, and they'll create applications that make riding easier and more convenient, says Ben Fried. But straphangers in the nation's largest transit market, New York, are still waiting for the MTA to open up.

September 24, 2009 - Streetsblog

A Museum For A Highway?

The Lincoln Highway was the first road to reach from coast to coast. A Pennsylvania group is building a museum to celebrate this stretch of asphalt. Designs for the museum have just been released.

September 23, 2009 - Architectural Record

Wooing Women to Transportation Planning

The Department of Transportation is teaming up with Spelman College in Atlanta for a new program designed to get more women into transportation careers.

September 23, 2009 - Welcome to the Fast Lane: Official Blog of the US Secretary of Transportation

Reversing a Federal Transit Rule - But Only in Washington State?

A federal pro-privatization transit rule, which prevents local transit agencies from competing with private bus services on providing service to special events, could see an end in Washington State with this year's transportation spending bill.

September 23, 2009 - DC Streetsblog

Transit Agencies Begin to See Stimulus Funds

The Obama administration has begun awarding grants of millions to transit agencies across the country for everything from bus upgrades to photovoltaic canopies and agency building upgrades. Check out the breakdown by agency here.

September 22, 2009 - SF Streetsblog

Increasing Bike Ridership Means Pulling in Women

In the U.S., men bike far more than women. Some researchers suggest that understanding and meeting the demands of women is the best way to increase overall ridership.

September 22, 2009 - Scientific American

Phoenix Light Rail Succeeds Beyond Expectations

Would one of America's most sprawling, auto-dependent cities take to the country's newest light rail system? Even its proponents were surprised by its success and its transformative effect on downtown businesses, particularly during a recession.

September 21, 2009 - The New York Times - U.S.

The Cup of Coffee Cycling Incentive

Birdbath Bakery in New York has found popularity, and a niche, by offering a 25% discount to cyclists. As New York's bicycling infrastructure grows, businesses that cater to them may thrive.

September 21, 2009 - The Village Voice

Des Moines, Iowa Moves Forward with "Complete Streets" Policy

Despite opposition from businesses and neighborhood groups, the city of Des Moines, Iowa is intent on implementing a program to make local streets friendly to non-drivers.

September 21, 2009 - Des Moines Register

Searching for a 21st Century Transportation Bill

Transportation officials are talking more and more about drafting a brand new type of transportation bill, one that diverges from the patterns and old thinking of the past. But that's easier said than done.

September 21, 2009 - The New York Times

A Ride on Dubai's New Metro Rail System

The new Dubai Metro rail system recently began operations in the desert city. Christopher Corbett, an American planner who's been living and working in Dubai, takes us on a visual tour.

September 21, 2009 - Christopher Corbett

High-Speed Rail, By The Numbers

America 2050 recently released a report ranking the best intercity corridors for high speed rail investment.

September 21, 2009 - The Infrastructurist

Randal O'Toole Wants to Abolish the DOT

Barring that, he has some eight proposals for the transportation reauthorization bill, including eliminating long-range transportation planning and clean air mandates.

September 20, 2009 - The Cato Institute

Transit Disoriented Development

Arlington, Texas, is home to the Dallas Cowboys' football stadium. But as the largest American city with no public bus or rail lines, getting to the stadium is no easy task.

September 19, 2009 - The Dallas Morning News

Federal Mag-Lev Funding Reignites Debate in Las Vegas

Federal authorities recently announced $45 million in support of plans to construct a magnetic levitation train line between Las Vegas and Southern California, re-igniting a debate over two proposed rail connections.

September 18, 2009 - The Las Vegas Sun

Caltrans vs. Americans with Disabilities Act

Citing the estimated current cost of repairs as a partial reason for noncompliance with federal law, Caltrans heads to court against disability advocacy groups. The agency has failed to maintain or upgrade thousands of curbs and intersections.

September 18, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

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.