Other polar vortex-related transit news included fire on the tracks in Chicago.
"Record-breaking cold Thursday is forcing the QLINE in Detroit to temporarily suspend service," reports Maryann Struman.
The bad news for anyone who still intended getting around on the city's streetcar amidst the polar vortex was created by batteries running the heat at full blast and taking longer to charge because of the frigid temperatures. "Just like cars and cell phones, the QLINE's battery is having trouble holding a charge," according to Struman.
Meanwhile, a day earlier, Chicago's Metra system made news for taking some pretty radical steps to keep the system running in the cold—setting fire to the tracks. Why? Allow Doug Criss to explain:
In some cases the tracks experience what's called "pull-aparts." This kind of rail defect occurs when two rails separate at their connection. The extreme cold shrinks the metal and the rails literally pull apart from each other, Metra said in a recent Instagram post. Heating the tracks with fire expands the metal until the two rails can be put back together again.
Despite the burning train tracks achieving some manner of viral fame on Tuesday, the actions are standard operating procedure, according to Criss.
FULL STORY: Bitter cold weather saps QLINE battery, service halted
How Detroit's QLine Streetcar Got Off Track
The QLine could ride its own dedicated lane and serve a real need for commuters. Instead, it's a slow circulator for a small part of downtown.
Ridership Drops As Detroit's QLine Streetcar Starts Charging
Since Detroit's new streetcar system started charging, ridership has dropped. Those who are riding aren't necessarily paying anyways.
Chicago Transit Faces Severe Service Cuts
Metra officials warn the agency could cut service by as much as 40 percent to make up for a massive budget shortfall.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
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