Transportation

Is Public Transit A Fantasy?

A recent opinion piece questions the wisdom of regional plans that promote public transit over accommodating more cars.

July 27, 2006 - The Globe and Mail

Unclogging L.A.'s Streets

With a strong style and a common-sense approach, Gloria Jeff is taking on one of the world's most unenviable jobs: general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.

July 25, 2006 - The Metro Investment Report

Free-Transit On 'Bad Air Days" Popular, But Funds Exhausted

"Spare the Air" is a program operated by the Bay Area's air district to encourage use of public transit on 'bad air' days. They funded 3 "free transit" days to accompany the warnings. Ridership increased greatly but funding is exhausted too soon.

July 24, 2006 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Bay Area Ends Free Transit Experiment

A popular and successful experiment to boost ridership on 26 Bay Area transit systems on designated "Spare the Air" days ends due to lack of funding, while some believe the plan may have been good for the local economy.

July 24, 2006 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Ridership Surging On Detroit's People Mover

Successful professional sports teams, the Super Bowl, and downtown growth are cited for their influence in the increase of ridership on the often maligned People Mover.

July 24, 2006 - Mike Lydon

Miles To Go Before I Sleep!

July 24, 2006 - Sriram Khe

U.S. Vehicle Emit Half Of World Fleet's Carbon Dioxide

The U.S. has 30% of the world's motor vehicle fleet but accounts for almost half of the world's greenhouse gases emitted from motor vehicles. Small cars, not SUVs, are the greatest source. GM vehicles are responsible for 1/3 of these emissions.

July 23, 2006 - Los Angeles Times

Major Change Coming To Boston's South Station

Long in the planning and approval stage, a 40-story Cesar Pelli designed office and residential complex will be built adjacent to Boston's transportation hub -- South Station.

July 21, 2006 - The Boston Globe

Americans Consuming More Gas Than Ever

Despite a price jump of 75% in gasoline per gallon since 2000, Americans bought 10% more in gas in the first half of 2006.

July 21, 2006 - Business Week Online

New Rail Line Will Link New England Cities With Airport

The planned $222.5 million transit hub will seamlessly link T.F. Green Airport with Providence and Boston by 2009.

July 20, 2006 - The Providence Journal

Replacing Freeways With Boulevards Is Pedestrian-Unfriendly

A recent commentary argues that surface-level boulevards may be bigger barriers to waterfront pedestrian access than the elevated freeways the replace.

July 19, 2006 - Reason Foundation

Neal Peirce: Private Investment and Mega-road Projects

Neal Peirce comments on the role of private investment in mega-road projects.

July 18, 2006 - The Washington Post Writers Group

Albuquerque's New Approach To The Old Parking Meter

The city will gain new revenue from its attempt to stop employees from parking in front of downtown storefronts.

July 18, 2006 - New Mexico Business Weekly

The Charm Of Brick Streets

Chicago area communities restore brick streets for aesthetics and traffic-calming.

July 18, 2006 - The Chicago Tribune

Could Amtrak Soon Be Privatized?

Private investment in Amtrak is increasingly seen as part of the solution for the poorly performing national rail service.

July 18, 2006 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Sydney Considering Road Congestion Pricing

While a London-style congestion charge is unpopular with voters, experts agree that a congestion pricing scheme for major arterial roads is the only way to solve the city's traffic problems.

July 17, 2006 - The Sydney Morning Herald

Finding Parking Spaces Using Real-Time Mobile Network Technology

A new service will allow drivers to auction off information about when they will leave their parking spaces to other drivers looking for a spot to park.

July 17, 2006 - National Public Radio: Day to Day

Political Squabbling Over Suburban Beltway Transit Line In D.C.

Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich may be trying to sabotage a controversial proposed transit line in suburban Maryland to hide the fact there may not be any money left for it, according to the former chair of the Metro Advisory Board.

July 17, 2006 - The Washington Post

Car-less In Seattle

Pedestrian pioneer Alan Durning describes what his family of five is learning by living without four wheels in Cascadia's largest city. Can they survive without the essential currency of the modern American community?

July 17, 2006 - Alan Thein Durning

Report: Arlington Carshare Program a Success

The Arlington Carshare Program 2006 Report provides a summary of the program and provides a second-year evaluation of the Carshare Program based on member surveys conducted by Arlington in March 2005 and 2006.

July 17, 2006 - Arlington County

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

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.