Transportation
Cramming Three Decades of Transit Improvements into One
Despite a less-than-stellar reputation of public transit, Los Angeles has plans to expand its system of light rail and BRT over the next 30 years. But now momentum is growing to fast-track that work into the next 10 years.
What Can Taxi Data Tell Us About NYC Streets?
New York City has GPS data from tens of thousands of taxis and is beginning to mine that information to improve its streets. We talked to some transportation experts for their ideas on how to use it.
DOT Rethinks Selection Process for Funding
When Charlotte's new light rail line opened, it vastly exceeded anticipated ridership figures. As the city plans an extension of the system, the federal government is revising how it distributes funding to avoid making the same mistake again.
Portland Demoted to America's Second Most Bike-Friendly City
The city of Portland is in a state of shock after being de-throned as America's most bike-friendly city.
Climate Measure Would Raise Gas Tax But Not Fund Transportation
A new senate climate measure is proposing to raise the gas tax, a move many in the transportation field have been suggesting for years. But the measure is meeting criticism for not directing the increased revenue towards transportation projects.
Interstate Toll Denial Underscores Systemic Problems
The federal government recently rejected a proposal by the state of Pennsylvania to toll Interstate 80. Robert Puentes argues that the decision is exactly what's holding metropolitan areas back from solving their transportation problems.
Mass Transit Wins Big in St. Louis County
A half-cent sales tax increase to fund transit passed handily yesterday in St. Louis County, Missouri.
Extreme Commuting Still Commonplace
There are more extreme commuters (a minimum of 1.5 hrs round trip) than ever, with a 95% increase since 1990, says Michael Graham Richard at Treehugger.
LaHood Defends Administration's Pro-Bike & Walk Agenda
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood explains the new emphasis on 'livable and sustainable communities', and walking and biking, calling it a 'game changer' in this short but informative Q & A with the New York Times in its Green Inc. blog.
The Future of the Urban Biking Experience
Treehugger lists five of the coming innovations that experts expect to revolutionize urban bicycling.
Should Amtrak Get its Hands on High Speed Rail?
The Infrastructurist's Melissa Lafsky is a guest on Fox Business News to discuss what role, if any, Amtrak will play in the U/S/ high speed rail network.
Looking Back at the Olympic Experiment
During the 17 days of the Winter Olympics, Vancouver significantly beefed up its transit offerings and reduced lanes for automobiles. Did the experiment work, and what would happen if these temporary changes were made permanent?
Preservationists Concerned About Visual Blight from Streetcars
Portland has them. So does Charlotte. But in the nation's capital, streetcar overhead wires are under fire from historic preservationists.
Canadian Cities Wiring for Electric Vehicles
For electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles to really take off, there needs to be a coordinated effort between planners, developers and the utilities to ensure the infrastructure is in place. Some Canadian cities are already taking action.
Paratransit Collides with Politics in Philly
Thanks in part to federal grants, wheelchair-accessible taxi service is available in most major American cities - San Francisco, L.A., Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C., but not in Philadelphia, where the issue is stalled in the statehouse.
AARP Asks: Is A Streetcar Coming To Your City?
AARP takes a comprehensive looks at streetcars, exploring their past demise, comeback, and now spreading to as many as 40 cities. Special attention is given to the Portland Streetcar and how the streetcar enables better mobility for seniors.
Guerrilla Sharrows
In Los Angeles, wheat-pasted posters that indicate bike lanes have been cropping up on utility boxes all over the city.
Texas Toll Roads Go Cash Free
North Texas Tollway (NTTA) has announced their intention to go all electronic for their toll roads by the end of the year, and Florida will soon follow.
Combined NHTSA & EPA Standards for New Cars Issued
Normally fuel economy standards are set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Due to the 2007 Supreme Court ruling on the Clean Air Act, the new rules are jointly issued by the EPA to regulate tailpipe emissions as well as CAFE.
Highway Trust Fund Bailed Out With $19.5 Billion 'Reimbursement'
One of the most significant pieces of legislation for transportation was last month's job bill that contained essential transportation provisions, including extension of the transportation act, $19.5 Billion to HTF, $4.6 billion to Buy America Bonds.
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.
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
KFH Group Inc.
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
