Transportation

Man sitting on concrete wall with bike next to bike lane on Chicago waterfront.

Bike Month Is Over — But the Work Continues

The effort to build better bike infrastructure in U.S. cities remains an uphill battle, but there are bright spots.

May 29, 2024 - Diana Ionescu

Worker in yellow safety vest holds clipboard and stands in front of parked red and white train in maintenance center building.

Report: Transit Agencies Face Imminent Staffing Crisis

Already understaffed, most of the nation’s transit agencies will need to replace a majority of their workers due to retirement, but recruitment efforts are not yet keeping up with the need.

May 29, 2024 - Governing

Three NYPD police officers walking away from camera in Times Square, Manhattan.

Over 90 Percent of NYC Jaywalking Tickets Issued to Black and Latino Pedestrians

The city’s police force continues its history of disproportionately citing people of color for illegal street crossings.

May 29, 2024 - StreetsBlog NYC

Close-up of person's hand holding blue ORCA transit fare payment card in front of fare payment machine.

Sound Transit Adds ‘Fare Ambassadors’ to Enforce Payment

Riders found without proof of payment will have options to pay rather than receive a citation.

May 28, 2024 - Everett Post

Bird's eye view of multi-lane road with dedicated bus lanes.

Cities Are Building More Bus and Bike Lanes. The Challenge: Keeping Cars Out

Bus-mounted and stationary cameras are becoming a popular tool for enforcing bus and bike lane regulations and keeping dedicated lanes clear.

May 28, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Busy subway station with people walking on platform and train stopped.

Analyzing Accessibility Disparities

With better planning we can reduce disparities between drivers and non-drivers in their ability to access services and jobs, improving fairness and economic opportunities for disadvantaged groups.

May 28, 2024 - Todd Litman

3D rendering of blue flying car over a cityscape and buildings, a river, and bridges in the background.

Minnesota Legalizes Flying Cars

A new Minnesota law outlines state registration of “roadable aircraft” and legalizes their use on state roads and highways.

May 28, 2024 - The U.S. Sun

Green highway signs on Highway 23 for Ann Arbor and Flint, Michigan.

Michigan DOT Nixes Ann Arbor Highway Expansion

In response to public feedback, the Michigan Department of Transportation is no longer considering options to widen U.S. 23 on Ann Arbor’s east side.

May 28, 2024 - MLive

Low view looking up at bus rapid transit bus at station in Snohomish County, Washington with blur to indicate motion.

Snohomish County Transit System Adds New BRT Line in Major Restructuring

The Community Transit network is making a slew of changes, including several new bus rapid transit lines.

May 26, 2024 - The Urbanist

Aerial view of downtown Phoenix, Arizona on a sunny day.

Video: Phoenix Sets its Sights on Vision Zero

The city hopes to eliminate traffic deaths in the next 25 years.

May 26, 2024 - ABC15 Arizona

Close-up on white "Bikes may use full lane" and green "Bike route" signs with tall California palm trees in background.

California Could Cut $600 Million From Active Transportation

Complete Streets advocates want the governor to fill the gap with funding from the state highway fund instead.

May 23, 2024 - Politico

Rendering of proposed Dallas station for Texas Central bullet train.

Will Texas Really Get a Bullet Train?

While state leaders remain silent, federal transportation officials are touting the proposed project’s benefits.

May 23, 2024 - Bloomberg CityLab

Close-up of person with vision impairment wearing jeans and white sneakers crossing yellow and white striped crosswalk with cane.

Being a Non-Driver in a Car-Dependent World

A third or more of Americans cannot drive due to their age, ability, or other factors. How can their travel needs inform our transportation systems?

May 23, 2024 - Streetsblog USA

Aerial view of a line of freight trucks driving on a country highway.

How Cities Can Lead the Way in Reducing Transportation Emissions

Decisions made at the local level can have a significant impact on emissions in the transportation sector.

May 23, 2024 - Governing

White minibus with yellow "On-Demand" logo parked in an asphalt lot with grass field and dry fall trees in background in Edmonton, Canada.

Is Microtransit a Threat to ‘Real Transit’?

A new report warns that microtransit is nothing more than a taxpayer funded Uber with potentially dangerous consequences for existing traditional transit services.

May 22, 2024 - Streetsblog USA

People on bikes and walking on 606 Bloomingdale Bike Trail on sunny day in Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago Leads Nation in Biking Growth

Cycling as a mode share grew faster in the Windy City over the last five years than in any other major U.S. metropolis.

May 22, 2024 - Momentum Magazine

Clpse=up of Uber and Lyft stickers inside a car windshield.

Minnesota Lawmakers Reach Ride Share Compromise

A law awaiting the governor’s signature establishes wage rates for drivers. Ride share companies say if the law passes, they plan to continue service in the state.

May 22, 2024 - Minnesota House of Representatives

Green and silver CTfastrak bus at a station in Elmwood, Connecticut.

Connecticut Bus System Earns Top Ranking

Hartford’s CTfastrak system wins out over other US bus networks for service quality and connectivity.

May 22, 2024 - CT Insider

Close-up of back windshield of Waymo autonomous car.

NHTSA Launches Investigations Into Two More Self-Driving Automakers

The federal agency is responding to reports of crashes and erratic behavior from Waymo and Zoox vehicles.

May 21, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Black and white tinted photo of underground parking garage with black floor, white crosswalk, and harsh lighting.

New Map Compiles Parking Reform Efforts Nationwide

The interactive tool helps citizens and policymakers understand parking reform at a broader level and zero in on state-level legislation.

May 21, 2024 - Parking Reform Network

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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An annual review of books related to planning.

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The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

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