Transportation

Reducing Cyclist-Pedestrian Accidents in Japan

New rules in Japan say that cyclists are liable for accidents between themselves and pedestrians, especially on the country's sidewalks.

August 21, 2010 - The Mainichi Daily Times

High Density and High Concentrations of Cars

Looking at Census data for urbanized areas and auto ownership, Randal O'Toole argues that denser areas have high rates of auto ownership per square mile, a correlation that is likely to increase congestion.

August 21, 2010 - The Antiplanner

New York Street Redesign Aims to Improve Safety

The Wall Street Journal reports on an extensive street redesign plan in New York City to be completed by 2030. The plan is aimed at an especially dangerous area.

August 21, 2010 - The Wall Street Journal

Private Buses Make a Comeback in NYC

Recent MTA budget cuts have forced New York City to axe a few of its bus routes, but they've had the effect of spurring a new wave of private bus initiatives.

August 20, 2010 - Market Urbanism

The Fastest Place on Earth

The Bonneville Salt Flats in Western Utah are where drivers and engineers attempt to break the land speed record -- an activity that has transformed this otherwise unused space into one of the more important sites of modern human history.

August 20, 2010 - Places

Commuter RR To 'Double-Deck' To Increase Capacity

More capacity for the same cost is the case with double-decker commuter cars -- if they can fit into tunnels, that is. Bi-level train were once more common in the commuter trains serving NYC. However, these cars can have their own disadvantages.

August 20, 2010 - The New York Times - N.Y/Region

The Nation's First Bicycle-Only Subdivision

A new themed subdivision is under development in South Carolina. But this is no golf course community. It's a cyclist oriented, car-free experiment called Bicycle City.

August 19, 2010 - Architizer

Boosting Car-Sharing in San Francisco

By expanding its car-sharing requirements on new non-residential buildings, the city of San Francisco is looking to make car-sharing more viable and accessible in the transit-friendly city.

August 19, 2010 - San Francisco Chronicle

L.A. Reforms Postwar Zoning Codes

The City of Los Angeles Planning Commission has reintroduced sweeping reform of the zoning codes in an effort to streamline planning processes. "This marks the first overhaul of codes since their last revision in 1946," said City Planner Alan Bell.

August 19, 2010 - Architects Newspaper

The Case Against The Centralized City

Kerwin Datu suggests that transit in cities of the future should no longer be organized around a distinct center. "Rather than think of a city as a centre surrounded by suburbs, think of it as a patchwork of specialised districts woven together."

August 19, 2010 - The Global Urbanist

Paying the Bill for High Speed Rail in California

The prospect of a high speed rail line connecting California's major cities has been appealing to many in the state. But with less than a quarter of the money needed for the project, the risks are hard to ignore.

August 18, 2010 - San Jose Mercury News

Street Interventions In Brazil

Activists in Brazil took advantage of their country's fascination with the World Cup to take to the empty streets and paint messages encouraging safer use of the roads.

August 18, 2010 - The City Fix

Why Transit Agencies Should Open Their Data

Streetfilms offers this video about how opening up transit agency data can greatly improve urban public transit systems for riders at little or no cost to the agencies.

August 18, 2010 - Streetfilms

Spain the Model Train Citizen

As the U.S. eases itself into a national system of high speed trains, other nations seem to be decades ahead, especially Spain.

August 17, 2010 - Miller-McCune

Scoring Your Transitability

A new online tool shows people how accessible their homes, neighborhoods, and businesses are to public transit.

August 17, 2010 - USA Today

The Congestion of Good Intentions in L.A.

The addition of a 10-mile carpool lane to one of Los Angeles' busiest freeways is creating a huge stress on the region's transportation system.

August 17, 2010 - The New York Times

Atlanta's Regional Transportation Sales Tax Rankles Cities

Cities in Metropolitan Atlanta are rallying against a regional sales tax increase aimed at raising money for the area's transportation needs.

August 16, 2010 - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Thinking Economically About Free Parking

This op-ed from The New York Times looks at the economics of free parking, and argues that many of those spaces should have a price tag.

August 16, 2010 - The New York Times

The Top 20 Urban Planning Successes of All Time

An interesting post appeared on the Public Servant Blog a few days ago. The list includes Amsterdam, Eugene, Oregon; Ponce Center City, Puerto Rico; and the city of Philadelphia among others.

August 16, 2010 - Public Servant Blog

Is the Magic Word "Density", or "Location"?

Looking back at research from 1977, The Overhead Wire decides that maybe there is an overemphasis on residential density increasing transit ridership, when the greatest impact comes from location.

August 16, 2010 - The Overhead Wire

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.

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

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