Transportation

Chicago Suburbs See Fewer Freight Trains, Not More

Where are all the trains? Chicago suburbs worried about an expected increase in freight trains due to the CN purchase of a rail spur through their backyard, but that worry has not materialized after the acquisition.

August 4, 2009 - Chicago Sun-Times

Allocate High Speed Rail Full $4 Billion, Argues NYT

In this editorial, the New York Times urges the Senate not to reduce the House's high speed rail budget allocation of $4 billion to $1.4 billion. Though President Obama is a prominent supporter of HSR, he supports delaying the transportation bill.

August 3, 2009 - The New York Times - Opinion

'Smart Studs' Will Open New Freeway Lanes Automatically

A new high-tech system from New Zealand will be installed on L.A.'s 110 freeway, which will feature sensors that will know when traffic slows and open an alternate lane automatically.

August 2, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Cities Without Cars

This slideshow form Mother Nature Network shows seven globa cities that are completely free of cars.

August 2, 2009 - Mother Nature Network

MPOs Have Scope, But No Power

As the regionality of urban planning issues becomes more clear, metropolitan planning organizations are uniquely suited to shape the policy response. But, according to this piece from Citiwire, they lack the power to do it.

August 2, 2009 - Citiwire

House Votes To Extend Clunkers Program

The Cash For Clunkers Program or CARS (Car Allowance Rebate System) received a major vote of confidence on July 31 when the House overwhelmingly voted to inject $2 billion into the enormously popular program.

August 1, 2009 - The New York Times - Business

Sewer Robot Frees Up Streets

The Urban Mole is a proposed package delivery robot that uses existing sewer tunnels to deliver packages underground, taking delivery trucks off of the streets.

July 31, 2009 - Wired

$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)

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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100 Most Influential Urbanists

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Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

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