Transportation

Single-Family Housing Construction

New White House Housing Initiative Includes Zoning Reform Incentives

The Biden administration this morning released a new program of actions intended to spur housing construction around the United States.

May 16, 2022 - The White House

Washington D.C.

Fare-Free Transit Hasn’t Reduced Car Trips, Data Says

Fare-free transit isn’t the climate change benefit that many have hoped, according to recent writing by David Zipper for Bloomberg.

May 16, 2022 - Bloomberg

New York Public Transit

Transit Agencies Will Face Challenges in Getting Federal Dollars

While recent federal legislation allocates billions to transit projects, local leaders face difficult choices as they struggle to match federal funds while ridership remains below pre-pandemic numbers.

May 13, 2022 - Governing

Pedestrians

How U.S. Infrastructure Perpetuates Car Dependence

The assumption that it’s “impossible” to live without a car in many American cities perpetuates infrastructure projects that privilege and induce driving.

May 12, 2022 - The Urbanist

Portland Interchange

Can Portland Have its Climate Goals and Expand its Highways Too?

Portland wants it both ways, but so do most places. But if Portland can't quit the car habit, which cities can?

May 12, 2022 - The New York Times

portrait of woman walking on the city street covering her ears

California Bill Proposes Automated Noise Pollution Enforcement

If signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, a new bill would use automated sensors and cameras to enforce decibel limits on cars and motorcycles.

May 12, 2022 - AutoWeek

Chicago Commute

Planning for Congestion Relief

The third and final installment of Planetizen's examination of the role of the planning profession in both perpetuating and solving traffic congestion.

May 12, 2022 - James Brasuell

Bus riders wearing masks on a New York City bus

Post-Pandemic Transit Likely To Remain Less Commuter-Focused

While the future of transit ridership depends on a range of still-uncertain factors, the commuter-centric patterns that characterized pre-COVID transit service are probably a thing of the past.

May 11, 2022 - Seattle Transit Blog

Governor Hogan Signs Agreement With U.S. DOT for the Purple Line by Steve Kwak at 4800 Veterans Pkwy. Hyattsville MD 20784

Suburban Light Rail To Resume Construction in Maryland

After its first contractor quit more than a year ago, Maryland’s Purple Line project will resume construction with a new team and a projected opening date of 2026.

May 11, 2022 - The Washington Post

Downtown Denver

So Far, Higher Parking Fees Not Reducing Denver Traffic

The city’s efforts to reduce driving and parking downtown by raising parking fees and ticket fines seem to have little effect on driving habits.

May 10, 2022 - Axios

Electric Cars

To Fight ‘Range Anxiety,’ Oregon To Invest $100 Million in Electric Vehicle Charging

The Oregon Department of Transportation plans to install EV chargers along crucial transportation corridors and expand charging options around the state to encourage more Oregonians to buy electric vehicles.

May 10, 2022 - KTVZ

Salt Lake City, Utah

Opinion: Utah Transportation Bill a Step in the Right Direction

A Utah mayor writes in support of state legislation that tasks state agencies with coordinating major transit projects, citing it as a positive step toward accommodating Utah’s explosive growth.

May 10, 2022 - Deseret News

Cleveland, Ohio

Ohio Pledges $51 Million for Traffic Safety

The state’s department of transportation will invest in a variety of traffic safety projects as traffic fatalities reach their highest level in decades.

May 10, 2022 - Transportation Today News

People in masks walking on Page Street, San Francisco, June 2020

San Francisco ‘Slow Streets’ Face Uncertain Future

The pandemic-era ‘slow streets’ experiment has met with mixed reviews from residents, prompting the city to consider the removal or adjustment of many segments.

May 9, 2022 - CBS Bay Area

Rendering of Completing the Loop river plan for Pittsburgh, PA

“Completing the Loop” Plan Wins National Award for Excellence in Sustainability

Riverlife and evolveEA were honored by the American Planning Association (APA) for the plan, which outlines a 10-year vision to connect, enhance, and expand Pittsburgh’s network of riverfront parks, trails, and public green spaces.

May 9, 2022 - evolveEA.com

Bus Stop

Federal Infrastructure Funding a Rare Opportunity to Improve the Nation’s Bus Shelters

Transit systems faced with decreasing ridership could accommodate access to the most widely available form of transit by building bus shelters. The federal infrastructure bill provides a big opportunity to do so.

May 9, 2022 - The Washington Post

Congestion

The New Normal: Less Transit, More Congestion

With transit systems still far below historic levels, and congestion not budging, the worst effects of an automobile dependent nation fall on the environment and low-income households.

May 8, 2022 - Brookings

LAX Cars

Car Noise Is Killing Us

It’s not just traffic collisions that kill—a new study from researcher at Rutgers finds that the loud noises emanating from cars has direct impact on heart health in Americans.

May 6, 2022 - Streetsblog USA

View of Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, with red bus-only lanes

San Francisco Bus Rapid Transit Performing Well, One Month In

After a month of service, the Van Ness BRT line has cut travel times by roughly nine minutes and spurred increased ridership.

May 5, 2022 - Mass Transit

Street Mural

Study: Street Murals Can Prevent Crashes

An analysis of asphalt art around the country indicates that painted intersections and roads can dramatically improve pedestrian safety.

May 5, 2022 - Greater Greater Washington

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.