Amtrak
High Speed Rail-In-America Redux
High Speed Rail (HSR) is the favorite moniker to describe the new era of trains envisioned and partially down-paid by the recent stimulus. The idea, linking major regional corridors via fast trains that rival door-to-door times for air travel and put highways to shame, is a powerful elixir to the crunch of congested highways and airways that represented a failed – or to be more accurate, incomplete - twentieth century vision to satiate America's transport needs. Perhaps this vision, if implemented with undeterred gusto, can renew our perception of travel and convenience while simultaneously reinvigorating our gagged transportation system.
LaHood Appears Before Senate Panel
Secretary of Transportation appointee Ray LaHood spoke to the Senate today about Amtrak, toll roads, and sustainability.
Trains Are Not Planes
Amtrak and other rail systems are using air travel as their model of service, which Alex Marshall argues is a big mistake given the advantages of rail that they fail to exploit.
Amtrak Reauthorization & Safety Bill Signed
Two weeks after Congress passed HR 2095, Bush signed this bill to double Amtrak funding and mandate safety technology to prevent Metrolink-like crashes. It may be a precursor to greatly expanded transit spending in the next administration.
California Transit: It'll Drive You To Drive
Northern California planner and lawyer Joel Ellinwood has committed himself to riding trains and public transit whenever possible. He's learning a lot along the way.
McCain Votes Against Transit
John McCain was one of two dozen senators to vote last week against a bill that included $1.5 billion to fund D.C. transit.
Amtrak Funding Bill Passes
The Senate has passed a bill that will allocate $2.5 billion for Amtrak annually, with money going to operation, repairs, and new safety measures.
Rail Safety Bill Mired In Amtrak Politics
Federal legislation that would require and partially fund Positive Train Control technology, which, had it been installed by Metrolink, would have prevented the Sept. 12 crash, is held up in the Senate by a fiscal hawk wary of funding Amtrak.
'Live From A Moving Train' News Broadcast Set For 9/15
"Good Morning America" in cooperation with Amtrak will launch a 'Whistle-Stop' Tour at Grand Central Station on Mon, Sept. 15 - one full week live, two hours daily from a moving train featuring five station stops, making for a 'technology first'.
Amtrak's Struggle To Catch Up To Demand
This article from Next American City looks at rising ridership on Amtrak and how the train operator is not quite ready to handle it.
Biden Bodes Well for Rail
Transit supporters may have reason to rejoice in the selection of Sen. Joe Biden as Obama's V.P. pick.
NPR's Talk of the Nation Highlights Amtrak Long Distance Travel
Former travel editor Catherine Watson is interviewed on NPR's "Talk of the Nation" about her Amtrak trip on three long-distance trains from Minnesota to New Mexico that illustrate the difference between travel and transportation.
Time to Take Rail Plans National
This article from the San Francisco Chronicle argues it's time for a national rail plan.
Amtrak in the Spotlight
The much-maligned rail system is being reconsidered, as gas prices and environmental awareness send people looking for solutions. But can Amtrak step up to the plate?
Amtrak Struggles To Meet Skyrocketing Demand
With unprecedented demand, Amtrak is hampered by years of neglect. The agency is unable to handle all the new customers resulting from high gas prices and plane tickets and is struggling to replace aged equipment and pay for increased fuel costs.
Riding Amtrak Across the U.S.
GOOD Magazine sends a reporter across country on Amtrak to give a riders-eye view of the system.
Making Amtrak A National Priority
With ridership up nationwide, the next president should start getting serious about investing in passenger rail service, argues a recent column.
There's a National Train Day? In America?
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard Amtrak Train 715. We're expecting a smooth ride today and should be moving along right on time," said the voice of the train conductor over the loudspeaker. He then continued, "And thanks for joining us for National Train Day". The loudspeaker then turned off, and was followed instantly by the voice of an incredulous woman a few rows behind who said "What?"
Kunstler: Passenger Rail Only Way to Avoid a Transportation Crisis
As airlines go bankrupt and gasoline prices climb upwards, James Howard Kunstler wonders why passenger rail continues to fall off the political radar.
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
