Infrastructure

Disney Shuttle

Disney's Political Donations Increase as Anaheim Considers a Streetcar

Disney says its supports pro-business candidates for City Council in Anaheim, but some see a proposed streetcar as the connection behind an uptick in the company's local political support.

November 3, 2014 - Orange County Register

Op-Ed: Expand Chicago's Transit Beyond its Successful Status Quo

Yonah Freemark writes an op-ed that argues for the Chicago Transit Authority to do more than maintain the status quo.

November 3, 2014 - Crain's Chicago Business

The End of the World's Fastest, Free Drive?

The free part, not the fast part that is. Perhaps it was just a matter of time before Germany considered a toll for its autobahn network like neighbors Switzerland and Austria do. Germans could deduct the annual toll from their vehicle taxes.

November 2, 2014 - Bloomberg News

Campaign 2014: Rolling Back Gas Tax Indexing

Massachusetts voters will decide on Question 1 on Tuesday—an initiative petition to eliminate the automatic, annual indexing of its 26.5-cent gasoline excise tax to inflation, implemented with a three-cent gas tax increase last year.

November 2, 2014 - T4America Blog

Campaign 2014: Louisiana, Maryland, and Wisconsin Transportation Measures

Maryland and Wisconsin will not ask voters to raise taxes for transportation, but will ask them to adopt constitutional restrictions to ensure gas tax funds are not diverted for other purposes. Louisiana hopes to create an infrastructure bank.

November 1, 2014 - Governing

New Study Finds California’s Local Streets and Roads In Perpetual Disrepair

The biennial California Statewide Local Streets and Roads Needs Assessment survey found a $78.3 billion funding shortfall over the next 10 years.

October 31, 2014 - PublicCEO

Checking in on Lake Erie's $3 Billion 'Project Clean Lake'

A rainwater retention facility in Cleveland represents a small step forward with a controversial 25-year, $3 billion plan to clean Lake Erie.

October 30, 2014 - Cleveland.com

Traffic Lights

Lesson from Houston: Crashes Double after Red Light Cameras Removed

Red light cameras are usually controversial. In Houston voters chose to remove 50 cameras at high-risk intersections. Since then, crashes have increased 117 percent.

October 29, 2014 - Houston Chronicle

It's a Hydropower World

Around the world, countries are building new dams for hydroelectric power at a frenzied pace. Vox examines the benefits and drawbacks of hydroelectric power.

October 29, 2014 - Vox

Congestion Pricing on Legacy Roadways

What happens when there is no room to widen a congested roadway? One solution is to build above the roadway. Another, suggests an HNTB expert, would be to convert an existing lane into a managed toll lane and fund transit with the revenue.

October 29, 2014 - Roll Call

Campaign 2014: Rhode Island Transit Measure

For the first time, Rhode Island voters will be tested on their support for public transit by whether they approve authorizing $35 million for Mass Transit Hub Infrastructure Bonds on Nov. 4. In addition to hubs, statewide bus service is targeted.

October 29, 2014 - Transportation for America

Now Singing: Route 66 in New Mexico

The pavement along Old Route 66 in New Mexico will now play "America the Beautiful"—but only if you're driving the posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour.

October 28, 2014 - ABC News

U.K. Pins Economic Growth on Metropolitan Areas

A new plan is afoot in Britain that will devolve centralized power away from central government and out into metropolitan areas. Bruce Katz sees lessons for the United States in the experience of United Kingdom.

October 28, 2014 - Brookings

trax light rail train in foreground, snow-covered mountains in background

How Cities are Overcoming Federal Roadblocks for Transportation Improvements

Tanya Snyder provides a thorough survey of the talking points of five U.S. mayors from a recent Washington Post forum on transportation.

October 27, 2014 - Streetsblog USA

Bikeshare's Income Disparity Problem

A new report sheds light on the income gap in the use of bikeshare systems around the world.

October 27, 2014 - CityLab

3.3 Million Electric Cars Expected by 2025

Electric cars are expected to play a key role in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions caused by the country's transportation system. Recent trends around the country indicate increasing adoption of the technology.

October 27, 2014 - San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Tolls vs Taxes and the State of the American Highway

Making up only seven percent of U.S. interstate miles, the future of toll roads is bright according to Brooking's Robert Puentes and Diane Rehm's other guests in a 52-minute, wide ranging discussion on gas taxes, toll roads, and privatization.

October 27, 2014 - WAMU

Old DC Transit

D.C. Officials Dramatically Scale Back Streetcar System

In a recent move, officials from Mayor Vincent C. Gray's administration shortened DC's streetcar system to a much-shorter eight miles.

October 26, 2014 - The Washington Post

Researchers Pushing for Even Bigger Chinese Cities

Research suggests China’s current urbanization policy forgoes $2 trillion in growth over the next ten years. That is, unless the government funnels even more migrants into major population centers and develops for density.

October 24, 2014 - Bloomberg News

New Jersey Turnpike Widening Project Nearing Completion

The largest project is the largest in the 63-year history of the New Jersey Turnpike will wrap up by the middle of November.

October 23, 2014 - NJ.com

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

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.