Transportation

Atlanta Envious of New Phoenix Light Rail

As a new light rail system begins operation in Phoenix, Atlanta residents look on with envy. Some worry that the lack of viable public transit in Atlanta threatens the city's competitiveness.

January 3, 2009 - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Rand: Best Congestion Strategies Are Price-Based

In 2008, RAND Corp. conducted a study on mitigating traffic congestion in Los Angeles. They studied two types of strategies: conventional, e.g. signal timing, and market-based, e.g. increased the price of driving. The results were surprising.

January 2, 2009 - Gristmill Blog

SUVs And Light Trucks Make Comeback

Cheap gas, great deals, and winter weather resulted in SUV and light trucks resuming their dominance in vehicle sales in December, climbing to 51% of all sales, as Prius sales dipped 48% in November.

January 2, 2009 - CNNMoney.com

Top 10 Trends in Green Transportation

Inhabitat selects their top 10, ranging from DIY bicycles to the fall of the S.U.V. Notably, transit is barely mentioned.

January 2, 2009 - Inhabitat

NYT Editorial And Column Push Gas Tax

A NYT editorial and NYT columnist Thomas Friedman both arrive at the same conclusion - some type of gas tax is essential for both the auto bailout and Obama's goal of greening the U.S. economy.

January 1, 2009 - The New York Times

Top Planning Issues Of 2008

January 1, 2009 - Abhijeet Chavan

Smile, You've Been Rear-Ended

A new study in Houston reveals that the number of crashes at intersections with new red-light cameras has doubled from the time before they were installed.

December 31, 2008 - Houston Chronicle

A Glimpse at Incoming Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood

This brief profile in Time offers a look at newly-appointed Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, in his own words and in the words of others.

December 31, 2008 - Time

Light Rail Rides in Phoenix

After 4 years of construction, the first light rail line has opened in Phoenix. NPR looks at the new transit option for the sprawling desert city.

December 31, 2008 - NPR

Obama Plan: Stimulating The Economy Or Sprawl?

Obama has compared the size of the stimulus package he wants to the 1956 National Highway Act. If the states have their way, it may be just that -- a new highway bill with little left for transit.

December 31, 2008 - Bloomberg

Bike Lane Controversy Drags On in Brooklyn

Brooklyn residents have built a makeshift detour sign in an attempt to redirect drivers away from their street. A new bike lane was implemented in the fall that has removed stop signs and, according to residents, made their street unsafe.

December 31, 2008 - Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Congestion Pricing No Sure Thing in Liberal San Francisco

The political climate in San Francisco might seem likely to approve the city's congestion pricing plan, but opposition is strong.

December 31, 2008 - Los Angeles Times

Federal Funding Seems Likely for California High Speed Rail

California transportation officials are confident that federal support will back up $10 billion in recently approved bond sales to fund the state's proposed high speed rail system.

December 30, 2008 - San Francisco Chronicle

Funding Sources Need Revision to Enable Obama's Highway Plans

President-elect Barack Obama's plans to update the nation's highway system will be limited by funding. Congressional transportation officials are calling for an update of the gas tax, among other changes.

December 30, 2008 - NPR

CEQA–Exemption: Schwarzenegger’s Bargaining Chip

Gov. Schwarzenegger wants the California Environmental Quality Act- a requirement for major transportation projects- waived if he is to sign the $18 billion Democratic package that balances the budget and is crafted to circumvent Republican approval.

December 29, 2008 - Sacramento Bee

LaHood a 'Spending Superstar'

The Wall St. Journal calls new transportation secretary Ray LaHood the "secretary of earmarks", and one of the biggest spenders in Congress.

December 29, 2008 - The Wall St. Journal

Nearly the End of the Line for S.U.V.’s

The last S.U.V.s rolled off the assembly line at General Motors' plants in Janesville, Wisconsin and Moraine, Ohio, victims of both the economic crisis and the plummeting market for gas guzzlers.

December 29, 2008 - The New York Times

Streetcar Suburbs Without Streetcars?

Matthew Ridgeway wonders if the infrastructure benefits of new streetcar projects- facade improvement, streetscaping, community investment- could happen with direct investment, leaving streetcars out of the picture.

December 29, 2008 - coolconnections.org

The 10 Best Commutes

Density gives cities an edge, according to this study of commutes around the world. Hong Kong, Osaka, and Berlin all rank highly.

December 29, 2008 - MSNBC

Budget And Credit Crises Halt California Infrastructure Projects

Infrastructure funding in California is grinding to a halt as two crises hit simultaneously: a political impasse unable to resolve a budget gap of $42 billion and a credit crisis leaving the state unable to sell its bonds.

December 27, 2008 - Los Angeles Times

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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