Transportation

Calcutta Removes Old Cars to Clean Air

In order to clean the air in Calcutta, officials have begun enforcing a rule that removes all vehicles manufactured before 1993, mandated by the city's High Court.

August 7, 2009 - BBC

Real-Time Arrival Data Coming to Philadelphia Bus Riders

Philadelphia's public transit system is preparing to launch a new service that makes bus and train arrival times available to riders' handheld devices.

August 7, 2009 - Plan Philly

9 Ideas for Fighting Congestion

Nine finalists have been chosen for the Intelligent Transportation Society of America's Congestion Challenge. Andy Nash, a San Francisco transportation planner, gives his perspective on the entries.

August 7, 2009 - Andy Nash Network

NY's Subways Could Have Been Moving Walkways

A century ago there were plans to supplant much of Manhattan's metro system with subterranean moving walkways. This article looks at the history.

August 6, 2009 - New Scientist

Smooth Maneuvers on the SF Bay Bridge

This Labor Day, a 300-ft. section of the east span of the San Francisco Bay Bridge will be cut out and pushed aside, connecting to a new detour that will facilitate the switch from a double-decker configuration to a side-by-side one.

August 6, 2009 - CalTrans

TOD vs. Parking for High-Speed Rail Stations

Secretary Ray LaHood is promoting livable communities, but the Wisconsin Department of Transportation insists that Madison's new Amtrak station should be located on the edge of town next to a big parking lot at the airport.

August 6, 2009 - The Capital Times

Elevated Train Stations Prove Controversial

In Honolulu, plans for 21 train stations on the new Kapolei to Ala Moana rail are raising eyebrows, primarily because of their significant size. Designers have taken steps to hide the bulk through landscaping and camouflage.

August 6, 2009 - The Honolulu Advertiser

The Cost of a Hypothetical High Speed Rail Line

Economist Edward L. Glaeser crunches the numbers on a hypothetical high speed rail line between Dallas and Houston and finds the costs prohibitive.

August 6, 2009 - The New York Times

'Distracted Driving' Summit Called By LaHood

In a sign of how serious the administration is taking traffic safety, DOT Secretary Ray LaHood called for a special meeting to deal with 'distracted driving', primarily the technological type - cell phones, both hand-held and hands-free, and texting.

August 5, 2009 - The New York Times - Politics

Free Bus Rides Coming to New York?

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently announced an idea to speed up buses in Manhattan by eliminating crosstown bus fares.

August 5, 2009 - The New York Times

The Fall of Windsor, Canada's Detroit

The Economist reports that the collapse of Detroit's auto industry has had a ripple effect up north, particularly in Windsor, Ontario.

August 5, 2009 - The Economist

San Francisco's 7-Bike Sharing System

The City of San Francisco has taken a babystep towards developing a citywide bike sharing system. The city recently hosted a bike sharing sampler, with 7 bikes being displayed and available for use at Golden Gate Park.

August 4, 2009 - San Francisco Chronicle

Chicago Suburbs See Fewer Freight Trains, Not More

Where are all the trains? Chicago suburbs worried about an expected increase in freight trains due to the CN purchase of a rail spur through their backyard, but that worry has not materialized after the acquisition.

August 4, 2009 - Chicago Sun-Times

Allocate High Speed Rail Full $4 Billion, Argues NYT

In this editorial, the New York Times urges the Senate not to reduce the House's high speed rail budget allocation of $4 billion to $1.4 billion. Though President Obama is a prominent supporter of HSR, he supports delaying the transportation bill.

August 3, 2009 - The New York Times - Opinion

'Smart Studs' Will Open New Freeway Lanes Automatically

A new high-tech system from New Zealand will be installed on L.A.'s 110 freeway, which will feature sensors that will know when traffic slows and open an alternate lane automatically.

August 2, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Cities Without Cars

This slideshow form Mother Nature Network shows seven globa cities that are completely free of cars.

August 2, 2009 - Mother Nature Network

MPOs Have Scope, But No Power

As the regionality of urban planning issues becomes more clear, metropolitan planning organizations are uniquely suited to shape the policy response. But, according to this piece from Citiwire, they lack the power to do it.

August 2, 2009 - Citiwire

House Votes To Extend Clunkers Program

The Cash For Clunkers Program or CARS (Car Allowance Rebate System) received a major vote of confidence on July 31 when the House overwhelmingly voted to inject $2 billion into the enormously popular program.

August 1, 2009 - The New York Times - Business

Sewer Robot Frees Up Streets

The Urban Mole is a proposed package delivery robot that uses existing sewer tunnels to deliver packages underground, taking delivery trucks off of the streets.

July 31, 2009 - Wired

$7 Billion Stop-Gap Measure for Highway Fund

On Weds., the U.S. House of Representatives approved $7 billion in stop-gap funding for road, bridge and transit projects until SAFETEA-LU can be reauthorized.

July 31, 2009 - The Washington Post

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.