Transportation

'Ready' Road Projects Could Create 1.8 Million Jobs

More than 5,000 road and bridge projects are "ready to go". They still need funding, but could provide nearly 2 million jobs if Congress approves infrastructure spending.

December 12, 2008 - CNN

Air Resources Board Weighing Climate Plans

At a crucial two-day meeting, the California Air Resources Board may adopt, reject or modify two separate, landmark, controversial plans - one on climate change, the other on diesel emissions from trucks and buses.

December 11, 2008 - San Francisco Chronicle

From Edge-City to Real City

Its way of life no longer en vogue, the auto-centric suburb of Tysons Corner, VA plans to undergo a large-scale transformation into a walkable, "real" city over the course of the next 30 years.

December 11, 2008 - NPR

Uncertain Times See Cities Planning for Peak Oil

With energy and the economy both causing headaches, 2008 has been a big year for local governments recognizing and planning for peak oil. Finding a way forward in a future of constrained energy will require much of planners.

December 11, 2008 - Post Carbon Cities Blog

$1/Gallon Gas Consumption Tax Proposal

In this Mercury News Op-Ed, San Jose State University Professor Larry Gerston proposes this bold tax for mass transit and alternative energy programs. It yields $175 billion annually and creates green jobs, enabling us to determine our destiny.

December 10, 2008 - Mercury News

Crackdown on Continuous Riding on Chicago's Trains

The Chicago Transit Authority is cracking down on 'continuous riders', people who sleep or hang out in the subway through the winter nights to keep warm. Advocates worry the crackdown will hurt the homeless.

December 10, 2008 - Chicago Sun-Times

Obama's Stimulus Package Disappoints

Columnist David Brooks warns that the Obama stimulus package fails to build on the current social movement to enliven existing suburbs and instead appears to follow a traditional roads, bridges, and refurbishing existing infrastructure approach.

December 10, 2008 - The New York Times

MTA Rescue Plan Wins Support Of NY Governor

The MTA rescue plan, with its new East & Harlem River bridge tolls and first-ever, 12-county transit payroll tax cleared a major political hurdle by winning the crucial support of NY Gov' Paterson. Winning support from mayor, outer boroughs remains.

December 9, 2008 - The New York Times

Transit Ridership is Still High

Despite falling gas prices, transit ridership is still up. The amount of Vehicle Miles Traveled is also down for the 11th month in a row.

December 9, 2008 - The Washington Post

Teamsters And Enviros Unite

The Los Angeles and Long Beach Ports’ new Clean Trucks program is the object of a legal battle pitting Teamsters, environmental and public health groups, the NAACP, and community groups demanding clean air against trucking companies and shippers.

December 8, 2008 - Los Angeles Times

Experts Offer Advice on the Next Transportation Bill

National Journal Magazine has asked it's team of political insiders/bloggers to give their thoughts on how the next federal transportation bill should be written.

December 8, 2008 - National Journal

Throwing Money Won't Fix Nation's Transportation Infrastructure

The governors of the United States want transportation money, and they want it now. But the federal government should be careful about doling out billions in funding, according to Sam Staley and Adrian Moore.

December 8, 2008 - Reason

Subway Approved for San Francisco

A proposal to run a light rail subway through central San Francisco passed environmental scrutiny at the federal level, green lighting the project to move forward. Now all the $1.3 billion project needs is some federal funding.

December 8, 2008 - San Francisco Chronicle

BRT: A Case of Mistaken Identity

December 8, 2008 - Jeffrey Wood

Can Cities Continue Red Light Camera Ticketing?

Texas cities are forced to review their red light camera contracts after the discovery of a potential loophole in Texas law.

December 7, 2008 - KXAN Austin News

What's Good for GM...and the Nation

Michael Moore writes that the only bailout of the Big 3 automakers that makes any sense is a government takeover that re-tools the industry to build sustainable transportation modes including trains, buses, subways and light rail.

December 6, 2008 - michaelmoore.com

Feds To Allow Rail Between D.C. and Airport

Federal officials have reversed their earlier decision and are now pushing for the extension of Washington D.C.-area metro rail to Dulles International Airport -- a plan that's been in the works for nearly 40 years.

December 6, 2008 - The Washington Post

Friday Funny: Eulogy for the Hummer

A victim of soaring gas prices, a slumping economy and a changing public consciousness, the Hummer appears headed for extinction.

December 5, 2008 - Salon.com

Draft EIR on SF's Bike Plan Released

A court order prohibits new bicycle infrastructure in San Francisco, but its Municipal Transportation Agency and Planning Department have crafted a 1,353-page Draft Environmental Impact Report to make a case against it.

December 5, 2008 - Streetsblog

MTA Stimulus Plan Announced

Relatively modest fair hikes, in places where fares previously did and did not exist, and a regional mobility tax are a part of the plan to rescue the Metropolitan Transportation Agency from further debt.

December 4, 2008 - The New York Times

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.

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A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.