Transportation

$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

24% Reduction in Emissions Possible by 2050

Changing changing transportation habits and land-use patterns in America could result in a 24 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, says a new report from Cambridge Systematics.

July 30, 2009 - The New York Times

Feds Take Action On Driving While Texting

Banning "DWT" - driving while texting, could soon become the next 'seat belt requirement' for states to avoid forfeiture of some of their federal highway funds if a Senate bill is to become law.

July 30, 2009 - The New York Times - Technology

Subway Train Under Full Surveillance

In an effort to deter crime, the New York MTA is planning to fully equip one subway train with security cameras that record every inch of the interior.

July 30, 2009 - The New York Times

The Baltimore Red Line: Maximizing Benefits and Minimizing Impact

An account of planning for the Red Line Project in Baltimore.

July 29, 2009 - Tamika Camille Gauvin

A Cost-Benefit Analysis for High Speed Rail

In the first of a series of posts to the NYTimes' Economix Blog, Edward Glaeser explores the value of high-speed rail in the US.

July 29, 2009 - Economix Blog: NYTimes

Midwest Governors Coordinate to Seek High Speed Rail Funding

At the Midwest High Speed Rail Summit today in Chicago, an agreement was struck between eight states to work cooperatively to achieve Recovery Act funding to develop the Chicago Hub High Speed Rail Corridor - also called the Midwest corridor.

July 29, 2009 - Environmental News Service

Monitoring Traffic Conditions With Lamppoles

Researchers in the U.K. are proposing a plan to utilize streetlamp infrastructure to install traffic monitoring devices in an effort to collect more information and aid transportation planners.

July 28, 2009 - EE Times

Countering the High Costs of Paratransit

A huge but largely under-noticed portion of public transit money goes to paratransit -- equipment and services to transport disabled people. Now, cheaper alternatives are emerging.

July 28, 2009 - Governing

LA ExpressLanes (aka HOT Lanes) Toll Schedule Set

LA's Metropolitan Transportation Authority has set a toll 'schedule' for solo motorists on the new High Occupancy Toll, or 'ExpressLanes', as the MTA refers to them, on the 10 and 110 freeways. Opening date may be 2010.

July 28, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Rethinking Parking

A new "boutique approach" to parking may revolutionize neighborhood on-street parking in San Francisco.

July 27, 2009 - San Francisco Chronicle

The Transportation Prescription

A new report identifies ways to incorporate health objectives into transportation and land use planning.

July 27, 2009 - The Convergence Partnership

LaHood To Congress: VMT-Reduction A 'Must' To Reduce Global Warming

Testifying to the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee on July 14, DOT Secretary Ray LaHood clearly states that fuel efficiency must be complemented with livable communities and transit to reduce transportation-related carbon emissions.

July 27, 2009 - Fast Lane (DOT blog)

How Did We Get Here?

In an interview, Rep. Jim Oberstar gives a retrospective of American infrastructure funding and talks about the need to consider transportation in light of the "post-interstate era."

July 26, 2009 - PBS: Blueprint America

Transportation Bill Could Face Months-Long Delay

The federal transportation bill seems unlikely to pass any time soon, according to legislators. They have yet to reach any consensus about the mechanisms for funding the bill.

July 25, 2009 - The Wall Street Journal

Stimulus Funds New Transit Projects, Doesn't Sustain Old Ones

The Obama administration has been touting its dedication of $48.1 billion in stimulus money to roads and transit projects. But it's all going towards new projects, not day-to-day operational needs.

July 25, 2009 - The Nation

Poticha Appointed to HUD Position

Shelley Poticha, President and CEO of Reconnecting America and past executive director of the Congress for New Urbanism, has been appointed Senior Advisor for Sustainable Housing and Communities at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

July 24, 2009 - Reconnecting America

High-Speed Rail to The Happiest Place on Earth

LA's Metro board is getting on board with high-speed rail, announcing Thursday that a Los Angeles-to-Anaheim (home of Disneyland) train could be a reality in less than 10 years.

July 24, 2009 - LAist

Solving Scarce Parking With 'Benefit Districts'

Transportation planners in San Francisco are proposing "parking benefit districts" where residents control pricing and boundaries to make parking easier in the congested city.

July 23, 2009 - San Francisco Chronicle

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.