Transportation

Kunstler: Rebuild the Passenger Rail System

In his forward to James McCommons' new book, Waiting on a Train: The Embattled Future of Passenger Rail Service, James Howard Kunstler lays out the case for investing in a revival of passenger rail.

November 4, 2009 - AlterNet

Buffett Buys BNSF

Billionaire Warren Buffett took full ownership of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad yesterday, calling his move "a bet on the country." Some say it's a bet on coal and against clean energy.

November 4, 2009 - Streetsblog

One Transportation Agency to Rule Them All in Mass.

It is now official: the new Massachusetts Department of Transportation will be the singular transportation and transit agency for the entire state. With the swearing in of its five-member board, the agency can begin its work.

November 4, 2009 - The Boston Herald

Solar Monorail

Bologna, Italy is getting a new monorail to connect the city with the airport, powered by photovoltaic panels built into the infrastructure.

November 3, 2009 - Inhabitat

Motorist-Cyclist Trial a Rallying Call for Respect and Rights

The ongoing trial of a California driver who allegedly injured two cyclists on purpose has become a rallying point for cyclists around the country, who are hoping the verdict elicits greater respect to cyclists from motorists.

November 3, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Dedicated Non-Motorist Lane on Vancouver Bridge Finds Public Support

Residents in Vancouver are reportedly in favor of keeping a dedicated lane for pedestrians and cyclists on a local bridge. Even some motorists are in support.

November 3, 2009 - The Vancouver Sun

Ford in the Black, Thanks to Cash for Clunkers

Ford Motor Co. is reporting almost $1b in profits in the third quarter. CEO Alan Mulally credits the Cash for Clunkers program and cost cutting for their success.

November 2, 2009 - The Los Angeles Times

How Do You Define Success?

When it comes to Houston's light rail, Randal O'Toole says you're doing it wrong. Planners are trumpeting high ridership numbers, but O'Toole says the numbers show an overall decline in Houston's transit ridership.

November 2, 2009 - The Antiplanner

Paris Bike Program's Thousands of Casualties

Paris and JCDecaux promise to forge on with the popular bike program, despite having lost thousands of bikes to recklessness and vandalism.

November 2, 2009 - The New York Times

49% Spike in Ridership After Bay Bridge Closes

BART beat previous records for ridership on Weds. after a piece of the Bay Bridge that was fixed over the Memorial Day weekend failed.

November 2, 2009 - Transportation For America blog

Hitting Fast-Forward on Transit

LA Mayor Villaraigosa an ambitious new plan to speed up new rail projects throughout the city, and to complete it all within 10 years instead of the previously proposed 30.

November 1, 2009 - The Los Angeles Times

Drive A Hot Rod, Save The Planet

How can a Porsche be better for the environment than a Prius? If you use transit to commute, and only take the hot rod out on the weekends. Slate writer Joe Eaton sold his Volvo for a combination of transit and fun.

October 30, 2009 - Slate

Transportation Planning In Federal Climate Legislation

In this short radio broadcast, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer welcomes the support of influential land use planner Mike McKeever of Sacramento, who testifies in support of the bill that incorporates smart growth strategies first employed by his MPO.

October 30, 2009 - Capital Public Radio

Creating an Inclusive Cycling Community

Community Cycling Center is working to close the racial gap in Portland's cycling community.

October 30, 2009 - BikePortland.org

Sneak Peek of LA's Gold Line Extension

On their official blog, Metro gives a preview of the new rail extension which will extend the line to East L.A. Steve Hymon and Fred Dennstedt share their notes.

October 29, 2009 - The Source (Metro's blog)

Factory to Campus Bike-Share

Volunteers set out to bike from the factory to Princeton University, where an employee bike-share program will begin in November.

October 29, 2009 - The New York Times

Guns on Trains Could Derail Amtrak

The Senate transportation spending bill, signed last week, contains a provision requiring Amtrak to allow guns on its trains or lose its funding.

October 28, 2009 - The Hill

Roundabout Saves the Day in Wanker's Corner

A roundabout replaced a flashing red light that was causing traffic jams at an intersection in Wanker's Corner, Oregon. Locals are calling it a miracle.

October 28, 2009 - The Oregonian

'Science City' Plans Could Boost Light Rail

Plans to build a group of villages near science and biotech office parks in Maryland could help the area secure federal light rail funding.

October 28, 2009 - The Washington Post

China's Rail Revolution

Extensive investments in rail are slashing travel times in China, and creating a vastly more connected and accessible country.

October 27, 2009 - Newsweek

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.

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

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