Transportation
Feds Award $160 Million For Higher Speed Trains In Michigan
Funds will be used to purchase and restore a 135-mile stretch of tracks between Kalamazoo and Dearborn so trains can operate at 79mph and then 110 mph. It is part of the Pontiac to Chicago high-speed corridor, currently operated by Amtrak.
D.C. Streetcars In the Works
The District Department of Transportation recently released detailed plans for the new system, which has been in the making for more than 14 years.
ARC Tunnel Scrapped - Absolutely, States NJ Governor
Time will tell whether this was a shrewd political move, saving the state billions of dollars, or a monumental failure of judgment. NJ must now repay the federal government $270 million; he forfeits $6 billion in transit, but prevents overrun costs.
A Library for Bikes
The University of California, Los Angeles has begun operations on a new kind of library -- one that rents bikes out to students.
'Livable' Sounds Great, But What is it?
Grist talks with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood about just what exactly "livable communities" are and how the government is planning to create them.
Small Counties on Edge Over Metro Atlanta Transit Debate
Suggestions of a county seceding from the Atlanta Regional Commission could threaten transportation funding in the region and hurt those towns looking to bow out, according to this column.
Bike Sharing Becomes Part of Transportation Picture
Erik Weber of non-profit EMBARQ argues that bike sharing systems combine the benefits of cycling and public transit and is a sustainable solution for cities.
Bigger and Faster in China
The opening of a new 220-mph high speed train and the peak energy production at the Three Gorges Dam shows that China's been able to successfully launch major infrastructure project faster than the rest of the world.
New Toronto Mayor Backs Away From Anti-Streetcar Sentiment
Toronto's mayor-elect had campaigned on a platform that included plans to ditch the city's streetcar system. Now he seems to be backing away from that stance.
A Bigger Transportation Role for the White House?
The Obama administration has expressed interest in playing a bigger role in transportation and infrastructure policy in the U.S. National Journal asks its panel of experts if it's the right time for the White House to be more involved.
MTA Head Jay Walder: One Year Later
Walder’s arrival from London, where he transformed a flagging bus and subway system, brought high hopes for New York’s transit system, says Michael Grynbaum. But is he meeting the expectations of riders and officials?
CA & FL To Win $900 Million & $800 Million For HSR
Awards for high speed rail projects will be announced Oct. 26. CA will receive $902 million for 18 projects from SF to San Diego, the largest in the Central Valley. Florida will get $800 million for the Orlando to Tampa line
Moscow Metro Gets a New Map
With the debut of the latest map of the Moscow Metro, TheCityFix's Jonna McKone takes a look at mass transit maps from across the globe and chats with mapmaker Cameron Booth.
Using Public Data to Make Easy "Next Bus" Displays
At the recent RailVolution conference in Portland, OR, Chris Smith of Portland Transport showed off a cheap and simple display device that uses open source data to display transit times in public spaces. His price? $200.
Winnipeg's "Bike Battle" Heats Up Mayoral Race
An influx of federal infrastructure dollars -- which needed to be spent quickly for active transportation routes -- has Winnipeg divided over the way the improvements were carried out, heating up the race for Mayor [Video].
Transit and Gentrification
Grist asks, "Does new public transit increase gentrification?" Their conclusion: "Isn't that the point?"
Atlanta Streetcar Wins Big On Second TIGER Round
Rejected entirely last February for federal funding, planners made two important changes: Scaled down the project considerably, and scaled-up the city's contribution - which says little as their prior contribution had been zero!
Walking into Trouble?
The shortcomings of Walk Score are becoming more apparent as planners look to use it as a measure of walkability, says The Conservative Planner.
Celebrating the Subway
The NY Times has created a loving photo essay depicting the long and storied history of the New York Subway.
Time-Based or Distance-Based Transit Fares: Is One Better Than the Other?
Is there a difference between the two most common fare structures in public transit?
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
