Transportation

Would High-Speed Rail from Dallas to Houston Make Sense?

Edward Glaeser continues his series on cost-benefit analysis of high-speed rail in the US, imagining a mythical route between Dallas and Houston.

August 14, 2009 - NY Times: Economix Blog

Portland's Fareless Square to Start Charging

The largest free mass transit area in the U.S. is changing its rules next year, when it will start charging people to ride the bus.

August 14, 2009 - The Oregonian

First Bikes, Now Paris Wants to Share Cars

Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe has announced a plan to initiate a citywide car-sharing system, building on the success of the city's popular bike sharing program.

August 13, 2009 - Der Spiegel

Understated Impact of Olympics on Vancouver

Iconic Olympic venues may not be the best take-away from next Winter's games in Vancouver. The real benefit for the city may be its new rapid transit line, according to this article.

August 13, 2009 - USA Today

City Imposes Controversial Fees For Street Marches

Hundreds marched in San Antonio, Texas, in defiance of new street procession fees that the organizations believe will stifle free speech.

August 12, 2009 - San Antonio Express-News

Developers Eye High-Density Opportunities in California's High Speed Rail Hubs

Southern California developers are gearing up to pounce on the areas surrounding proposed high speed rail hubs that will make up California's statewide high speed rail line.

August 12, 2009 - San Diego Business Journal

Bike Design, 2029

Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman unveiled a prototype bicycle design he believes is 20 years ahead of its time. It includes an onboard computer, spokeless wheels and solar power.

August 12, 2009 - The Daily Mail

Amtrak Routes Now on Google Transit

A recent partnership between Google and Amtrak will allow users of Google Maps / Google Transit to see Amtrak routes as a possible mode of travel, Webwire reports.

August 11, 2009 - Webwire

Why Public Transit Doesn't Work In The U.S.

Gas taxes, parking charges, toll roads - these are the ingredients to making transit successful, according to experts who state that it's not enough to offer good transit - driving must become more expensive. Add to that high density land use.

August 10, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

The Perils of Bus Bike Racks

Since the Columbus Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) put bike racks on the front of their buses, so many people have forgotten and left their bikes on board that hundreds of bikes are piling up in the lost and found.

August 10, 2009 - The Columbus Dispatch

'Worst Biking City' Attempts To Lose The Title

Boston has not had a good relationship with cyclists. However, Mayor Thomas M. Menino is a cycling advocate, a city bike czar is on staff, bike lanes and facilities have been added, and a turn-around is evident even to its critics.

August 10, 2009 - The New York Times - U.S.

Clunkers Program Extended By Senate

With not a moment to spare, the Senate passed the House-approved version of the Clunkers program extension - an additional $2 billion to last to Labor Day, and then went into recess. Any changes would have ended the program.

August 10, 2009 - The New York Times - Business

Are Wider Roads Safer?

The "Forgiving Highway" concept of the 1960s proposed the idea that wider, straighter freeways would be safer. Not so, says TTI.

August 10, 2009 - Sustainable Cities Collective

Bloomberg Pledges to Fix Transit

Last week, New York Mayor Bloomberg released a plan to reform transit in the city. City Journal looks at how that might happen and how New York can pay for it.

August 10, 2009 - City Journal

Where Are We Going To Charge Our Cars?

Cities need stations where electric cars can recharge in order for the new technology to take off and become a reality in the future, The Wall Street Journal reports.

August 10, 2009 - The Wall Street Journal

A Whale of a Savings

Clark Williams-Derry has been searching the horizon for the Moby Dick of smart growth statistics, and he's found it in a new study out of UC Irvine.

August 10, 2009 - Sightline Daily

Walking Up Housing Values, and Making Smarter Cities

Walkability improves home values, according to a new report. Smart City talks with economist Joe Cortright about the study, and with IBM about its new "Smarter Cities" technology report.

August 9, 2009 - Smart City

Life with a High-Speed Rail System

Spaniards are quickly adapting to life with a high-speed rail network. Air travel between Barecelona and Madrid is down 46% because of it.

August 8, 2009 - The Guardian U.K.

New Portland Bridge Seeks to Ease Pedestrian and Cyclist Tensions

A new light rail bridge spanning the Willamette River in Portland will include separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists -- and no lanes for automobiles. But biker and pedestrian congestion remains a concern.

August 8, 2009 - The Oregonian

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.