Transportation

Aerial view of hydrogen storage hub in green field.

First Federal Funding for Hydrogen Hubs Awarded to California and Pacific Northwest

The U.S. Department of Energy announced on July 17 that the first grant to build the nation's seven proposed 'hydrogen hubs' would go to California. The ultimate goal is to decarbonize transportation fuels used in port operations.

July 31, 2024 - Irvin Dawid

White and purple RTA bus inf ront of white archway to Armstrong transit station in New Orleans, Louisiana.

New Orleans Transit Struggles to Maintain Service

Regional transit agencies, already forced to make cuts, are calling for state funding to help them maintain service and access federal grant opportunities.

July 31, 2024 - The Times-Picayune

Close-up of man's hands on steering wheel and digital screen in Tesla car's driver's seat.

Tesla ‘Nearly Crashes’ in Full Self-Driving Mode

A test of Tesla’s autonomous mode showed troubling permissiveness, according to one analyst.

July 31, 2024 - Bloomberg CityLab

Pedestrians crossing a busy crosswalk on New York City street with tall buildings in background

NYC Sees 127 Traffic Deaths in First Half of 2024

The number is the highest since the city pledged to end traffic deaths through Vision Zero policies a decade ago.

July 31, 2024 - Patch

Older man riding e-bike with cargo trailer with small white fluffy dog looking at camera on paved bike trail.

An Update on California’s E-Bike Incentive Program

The e-bike rebate program, first funded in 2021, is still a failure to launch.

July 30, 2024 - Streetsblog California

Red fire truck speeding down a street.

Study: Bike Lanes, Traffic Calming Don’t Impact First Responders

Despite common concerns that narrower traffic lanes and bike infrastructure can slow emergency response, response times in one study didn’t change.

July 30, 2024 - Ars Technica

Aerial view of electric bus parked next to silver SUV in parking lot in Austin, Texas. Bus says "All eelctric buses" on side.

Austin Transit Agency Backs Down on Electric Bus Pledge

Technology problems, short ranges, and supply chain issues hinder Cap Metro’s ambitious electrification plan.

July 30, 2024 - KUT

Public transit bus on Chicago street with tall historic buildings in background.

Chicago Transit Report Calls for Income-Based Fares, Paratransit Funding

An RTA report highlights a need for state funding to bridge an imminent $730 budget shortfall, calling for an approach that relies less heavily on fare revenue.

July 30, 2024 - Streetsblog Chicago

Diagram of proposed Interstate 5 improvement project in Portland, Oregon showing new freeway cap and pedestrian and bicycle bridge.

Portland Advocates Call on Feds to Oppose Freeway Expansion

The Oregon DOT is requesting a federal grant to fund a controversial freeway expansion through the Rose Quarter.

July 29, 2024 - The Portland Mercury

Philadelphia Bike Lane

Philly Road Safety Advocates Call for Action From the City

Mayor Parker’s administration is proposing massive cuts to the city’s Vision Zero program while pedestrian and cyclist deaths remain high.

July 29, 2024 - Billy Penn

Electric car charging area in a parking lot at a Costco in Clermont, Florida.

Florida Law Bars Cities From Regulating EV Chargers

Under the new law, cities cannot require charging infrastructure in local codes.

July 28, 2024 - JD Supra

Man using cane for visual impairment waiting to board subway train on platform.

Beyond Compliance: The Crucial Role of the ADA in Planning Great Communities

The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990 to protect people with disabilities from discrimination, but more work is needed to make U.S. communities accessible to all. And planners have a key role to play.

July 26, 2024 - Mary Hammon

Excavator digging in an urban street with two workers standing next to it.

Tri-State Economies to Lose Billions From Congestion Pricing Pause

New York City’s congestion pricing program, suspended by Governor Hochul earlier this year, would have pumped $12 billion into local projects and jobs.

July 26, 2024 - StreetsBlog NYC

Citi Bike bike share station on street in New York City.

US Bike Share Ridership Hit Record High in 2023

According to a new NATO report, micromobility ridership in the U.S. was up 16% in 2023. Shared bike ridership set a new record, despite higher fares.

July 25, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Red brick train station in Chiyoda City, Tokyo, Japan.

Expanding the Concept of Transit-Oriented Development: Lessons from Abroad

Keeping transit planning and development siloed can limit opportunities to build affordable housing and vibrant neighborhoods.

July 25, 2024 - Next City

Aerial view of Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum entrance arch with name and Olympic rings.

LA is Electrifying its Bus Fleet, but Olympic Transit Challenges Remain

The region is preparing its transit system to handle the more than one million visitors expected during the 2028 Olympic Games.

July 25, 2024 - Mass Transit

Close-up of row of electric cars plugged into chargers at outdoor station.

Zoning for Electric Vehicles

Local zoning codes can be adjusted to encourage the building of EV charging infrastructure into neighborhoods.

July 25, 2024 - New York Law Review

Shinkansen high-speed rail train traveling across bridge with green trees on either side.

Will Texas High-Speed Rail Become a Reality?

A proposed Houston-to-Dallas rail line shows promise, but faces major hurdles before it can come to fruition.

July 25, 2024 - Houston Public Media

Cyclist and runner on paved bike and pedestrian path in a park in Boston with fall colors on trees.

Boston’s Bike Network is Growing More Connected

More people are choosing to bike as the city focuses on filling gaps in its bike infrastructure.

July 25, 2024 - Boston Globe

Bike lane marked with white paint on asphalt street.

Zeroing in on California’s Incomplete Streets

A report highlights the lack of enforcement of Caltrans’ Complete Streets policy in projects around the state.

July 24, 2024 - Streetsblog California

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.

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

Director, Strategy and Research

Greater Baltimore Committee

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