Transportation

Ad Hoc Ferry System Keeps Businesses Afloat

After MNDOT closed the Highway 43 bridge connecting Winona, MN to western Wisconsin, locals worried about the economic fallout from an extended closure. Within a week, a ferry and bus system was put in place.

June 11, 2008 - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Federal Funding At Risk If KC Alters Plans

Streetcars and rail in place of bus rapid transit said to jeopardize federal funding.

June 11, 2008 - The Kansas City Star

Propane: Cheaper and Cleaner Than Gasoline?

The California Air Resources board is expected to approve a new propane-fueled engine this week, opening the door for an alternative fuel source for cars and trucks. Supporters say its also convenient because distribution channels already exist.

June 10, 2008 - CNET News

Boise Hopes to Bring Back Trolley

Boise is hoping to follow on the coattails of Little Rock in bringing back a long de-commissioned trolley system to the city's downtown.

June 10, 2008 - The Idaho Statesman

Obsessive Behavior Saves Gas

NPR reports on 'hypermilers', drivers who practice active gas-saving techniques like braking lightly and combining trips. One hypermiler says he isn't doing it to be green: 'The environment I'm concerned with is my wallet.'

June 10, 2008 - NPR

A Bicycle Strategy for Canada?

Toronto environmental lawyer Albert Koehl believes that Canada's Conservative government should embark on a national bicycle strategy.

June 9, 2008 - The Globe & Mail

Planetizen Turns 8: A Look Back

June 9, 2008 - The Planetizen Team

Now That People Are Using Transit, Improve It

Driving is down, transit ridership is up, but few are serisouly talking about how to improve America's transit system, according to this article from Grist, which wonders why.

June 9, 2008 - Grist

First Toll on a Surface Road Under Consideration

A suburb of Dallas ponders charging a toll on a surface road, perhaps the first such plan for a surface road in the United States.

June 8, 2008 - WFAA

Drivers Cling to Their SUVs

Even as SUV sales have dropped 33% this year, some drivers hang on to their gas-guzzlers. "You've got to have that room when you're moving around," says a Georgia man. The cost of switching is another major factor for families.

June 8, 2008 - CNN.com

Transportation Weaknesses Hurting Chicago's Olympic Bid

Chicago has come in second-to-last place in the selection of finalists seeking to host the 2016 Olympics. The city's bid was criticized for not having a strong transportation plan.

June 8, 2008 - The Chicago Tribune

The Connection Between Gas Prices and Car Choice, Explained

The cartoon strip 'This Modern World' looks at how gas prices have influenced motorists' selection of motor vehicles in the United States - from the 1970's to 'five minutes from now'.

June 7, 2008 - Salon.com

Robert Reich Stumps for Transit

Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich gives his two cents about the need to expand public transit.

June 7, 2008 - Robert Reich's Blog

A Tour of the World's Best Subways

This slideshow from Wired takes a tour of some of the best subway systems in the world, boasting some of the world's most extravagant stations and efficient commutes.

June 7, 2008 - Wired

Friday Funny: Party Goes Overboard During Last Call on London's Tube

London's underground subway system recently banned the consumption of alcoholic beverages, and to celebrate the last night of drunken train commuting, Londoners converged on trains to get hammered. They also got rowdy, assaulted and arrested.

June 6, 2008 - BBC

Key New York City Council Member Predicts Future for Congestion Pricing

Council Member David Yassky was one of congestion pricing's earliest and most vocal proponents, and he hasn't yet given up on the prospect of charging tolls to drive in Manhattan.

June 6, 2008 - The Planning Report

Fly the Costly Skies

With fill-ups costing close to $70,000 for a transatlantic flight, airlines are facing a grim future.

June 6, 2008 - The Globe & Mail

12 Kilometers of Subway, or 175 of Trams?

Vancouver has plans to spend nearly $3 billion on a 12-km stretch of subway. But a recent study shows that same amount of money could be used to create a tram system covering more than 175 km in the city.

June 6, 2008 - The Tyee

Unfortunately, More Trains Means More Noise

A peaceful suburb wanting to preserve its tranquility is pitted against a large rail company attempting to lessen freight congestion around Chicago by running its trains through it and other suburbs on an existing rail line it hopes to purchase.

June 5, 2008 - Associated Press via Miami Herald

Light Rail a Boon for Charlotte and Beyond

Charlotte's light rail system has proven to be a major success in the city, spurring development and igniting the local economy. But as it expands, will the other communities it benefits join in the funding party?

June 5, 2008 - Governing

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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