Infrastructure

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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.
Bikeshare's Income Disparity Problem
A new report sheds light on the income gap in the use of bikeshare systems around the world.
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.
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.

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.
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.
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.
Pagination
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service