Transportation

George Will Slams LaHood

George Will, fresh from denouncing denim as 'the infantile uniform of a nation', is disturbed to find that Ray LaHood has bought the Obama administration's beliefs in regards to mass transit, bicycling, and 'transformation'.

May 20, 2009 - Newsweek

Ignoring Cars in Toronto

The City of Toronto prioritizes pedestrians, cyclists and transit over cars. Some in the city are concerned that the city is ignoring a car congestion problem that is only growing.

May 20, 2009 - The Toronto Sun

Obama to Announce Tougher Standards for Autos Tomorrow

The Obama administration has announced that it will issue new emissions and mileage requirements for cars and light trucks tomorrow to create a single national standard.

May 18, 2009 - The New York Times

Light Rail Expands in Toronto

New light rail projects are taking off in the Toronto area. A new 15km line will be operational by 2013, but the city is still trying to raise funds to replace its aging streetcar stock.

May 18, 2009 - The Toronto Star

Charlotte Transit Plans Face Delays, Even With Tax Increase

Votes in the Charlotte area are considering another raise to their sales tax to fund transit projects. New documents show the tax increase may not bring the improvements quickly. But without the raise, some projects may never get built.

May 18, 2009 - Charlotte Observer

Fewer Airports Could Mean Less Air Congestion

Freakonomics argues that eliminating one New York airport would allow the others to operate more effectively.

May 17, 2009 - Freakonomics - NY Times Blog

What Happened to America's Trains?

In an age of rapid technological improvements in almost every aspect of life, it's difficult to understand how a technology like trains could actually be less advanced now than it was in the 1940s, writes Tom Vanderbilt.

May 16, 2009 - Slate

Meet Peter Rogoff, Obama Pick to Head FTA

...or not. Only 3 senators bothered to show up for his confirmation hearing. The discussion centered around the failure of the FTA to get funding to ailing transit systems across the country.

May 15, 2009 - Streetsblog

Guiding the Next Federal Transportation Spending Bill

Legislation is being introduced in Congress to guide the course of the next five years of federal transportation spending, focusing on reducing per capita vehicle miles traveled and decreasing truck freight shipping.

May 15, 2009 - The Washington Post

Miami's New I-95 Express Lanes Enable Regional Bus Service

Regional bus service will commence for the first time between Miami and Broward County with the completion of the I-95 Express (HOT) Lanes. Recovery Act funds provided for new diesel-hybrid and articulated buses, GPS and shelters.

May 14, 2009 - Miami Herald

A House Bill for More Parking Spaces?

Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) is sponsoring the bill, with the goal of creating more parking spaces for big rigs in cities.

May 14, 2009 - Transport Topics Online

Montreal's Bike Sharing System Goes Public

Montreal has unveiled a new bike sharing program. Though similar to the Paris Velib system, Montreal's new program differs in that it is not operated by a private advertising company.

May 14, 2009 - The New York Times

Idea to Tax Drivers By the Mile Gathers Support in Washington

Washington's top transportation official has indicated support for the idea of beefing up transportation funds by taxing drivers by the mile.

May 14, 2009 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

If A German Town Can Go Car-Free, Why Not America?

An article in the New York Times this week profiled Vauban, Germany, a town without cars. NYTime's Room for Debate Blog asked planners and developers to envision a car-free town in America.

May 13, 2009 - The New York Times

A TOD Grows in Trenton

At the sixth busiest stop on the busiest train line in the country, developers are realizing the potential for transit-oriented development around the station.

May 13, 2009 - The Architect's Newspaper

Can Charlotte Overtake Atlanta as Powerhouse of the South?

Atlanta is seen by many as the economic powerhouse of the South. But some say Charlotte's progress in providing transit and reducing traffic may begin to tip the scales.

May 13, 2009 - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A New Suburb Without Cars

Vauban, Germany is a new suburb that is part of the 'smart planning movement'. It is car-free, i.e. the streets are car-free, while car ownership is allowed but restricted to two garages, and the cost unbundled. Only 30% of families own cars.

May 12, 2009 - The New York Times - Environment

Can Dimples Improve Fuel Efficiency?

A company called Fastskinz thinks so. They've created a vinyl car wrap based on the aerodynamic evidence from golf balls that an uneven surface creates less drag. Popular Mechanics puts the theory to the test.

May 12, 2009 - Popular Mechanics

High Speed Rail Funds on the Way for California and Florida

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said recently that California and Florida are likely to be the first recipients of stimulus funding for high speed rail projects.

May 12, 2009 - The Wall Street Journal

Best American Cities for Walking

Prevention magazine has pulled together a list of the top 25 American cities for walking.

May 12, 2009 - Prevention

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.