Transportation

New York Subway

How Transit Reform Could Restore Trust in Governance

One writer argues that improving transit in major cities would boost local economies and prove that positive change is possible.

August 10, 2022 - Governing

Aerial view of four-lane Interstate 270 in Maryland, USA

Feds Block Maryland Toll Lane Project

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan says the state was “blindsided” by the decision, which further delays the $7.6 billion plan.

August 10, 2022 - Maryland Matters

Group of bicyclists on a city street

Missing From the Climate-Energy Legislation: Bikes!

Missing from the Democrats' Inflation Reduction Act, the significant climate legislation which passed the Senate on a 51-50 party-line vote on Sunday with Vice President Harris casting the tie-breaking vote, is any mention of bikes.

August 9, 2022 - The Washington Post

Fremont Street

Las Vegas To Launch Vision Zero Initiative

The city is calling for public input to develop strategies for reducing traffic deaths and making Las Vegas safer for all road users.

August 9, 2022 - KTNV

New York Subway

New York MTA Seeks New Funding Sources

The agency plans to negotiate new options for operational funding as farebox and toll revenue lingers far below pre-pandemic levels.

August 9, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

20 miles per hour speed limit sign in school zone

Tacoma Lowers Speed Limits as Part of Vision Zero Plan

The city voted to reduce speed limits on residential and some arterial streets in an effort to improve traffic safety and reduce the risk of death or serious injury when crashes occur.

August 8, 2022 - The Suburban Times

Rural road in Central Ohio

Could Inflation Spur an Urban Rebound?

Inflation is hitting rural areas particularly hard. One expert sees the possibility of rural residents reconsidering cities as a place to avoid higher costs associated with rural mobility and to make more money.

August 8, 2022 - MPR News

Oonee secure bike parking pod on New York City street

NYC Bike Advocates Call for More Secure Bike Parking

While the city waits to evaluate data, advocates argue that recent demonstration projects have already proven the popularity of secure bike parking.

August 8, 2022 - Streetsblog New York City

Orange traffic cone on black asphalt

Friday Funny: Pete Buttigieg Makes New Work Friends

The Onion takes a gleeful jab at Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

August 5, 2022 - The Onion

MARTA Station

Atlanta Transit Could Go Fare-Free

The city has tasked the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority with evaluating the feasibility of eliminating transit fares.

August 5, 2022 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Commuter Rail

To Save or Not to Save the MBTA?

Some lawmakers and residents think the management of Boston transit should shift to the state’s department of transportation, but would that solve the troubled system’s problems?

August 5, 2022 - Boston.com

Construction on a tunnel is visible next to the Seattle waterfront.

A Permanent Decline in Revenue Forecasted for the Tunnel Bertha Built in Seattle

Public transit isn't the only mode struggling to attract the expected number of users in 2022. State Route 99 in Downtown Seattle is also failing to live up to expectations and struggling to make ends meet.

August 4, 2022 - The Urbanist

Fort Worth bus parked at a station

Fort Worth To Study Transit Opportunities in its Poorest Neighborhoods

Residents in the 76104 ZIP code, where life expectancy is the lowest in Texas, lack access to effective transit and essential needs.

August 4, 2022 - Mass Transit

6th Street Viaduct against the Los Angeles skyline at dusk

Reckless Driving and Illegal Activity Shut Down L.A.’s Newest Bridge

Could the chaos that has plagued the 6th Street Viaduct’s first few weeks signal an opportunity to reimagine its intended uses?

August 3, 2022 - Jalopnik

A bike counter next to a green protected bike lane in San Francisco, California

Why Counting Bikes Matters

While many American cities rely on vehicle counts to make transportation planning decisions, most haven’t prioritized counting bikes, leading to underinvestment in bike infrastructure.

August 3, 2022 - Greater Greater Washington

Downtown Houston covered bus station with one parked bus

Editorial: Why Houston’s University Line BRT Is a ‘Crucial’ Project

The Houston Chronicle editorial board comes out in support of a proposed 25-mile bus rapid transit line, arguing it would provide essential service to transit-dependent residents.

August 3, 2022 - Houston Chronicle

Street-level view of sharrow symbol on asphalt with parked car in background

How Sharrows Became Cycling’s Most Hated Symbol

Originally designed as a low-cost way to encourage safer road sharing between bikes and cars, the sharrow has become a symbol of the lack of commitment to protected bike infrastructure in many cities.

August 2, 2022 - Denverite

"No turn on red" sign

D.C. Could Legalize ‘Idaho Stop,’ Ban Right Turns on Red

Proposed legislation would allow cyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs and eliminate right turns on red in an effort to reduce cyclist and pedestrian fatalities.

August 2, 2022 - The Washington Post

Interstate 95 near Fredericksburg, Virginia with blue sign that says "To Welcome Center for Virginia"

Virginia Using Variable Speed Limits To Reduce Congestion

Experts say reducing speed limits based on traffic volumes can relieve congestion and improve the flow of traffic.

August 2, 2022 - The Virginia Mercury

Rockaway Beach Bus

The Benefits of Fare Capping

Fare capping—putting a ceiling on the amount a transit passenger pays in a day or a month regardless of the number of trips—is becoming a popular policy option for transit agencies seeking to increase equity and bring back riders.

August 1, 2022 - Governing

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.