Transportation

Year in Review: Urban Planning in 2021
Part one of two of Planetizen's review of 2021—re-assessing failed predictions and daylighting the biggest planning stories of the year.

What States Can Learn From the Success of Maine's Downeaster Train
As Amtrak gears up to plan expansion projects supported by new federal funding, states can take some advocacy lessons from Maine's popular Downeaster train.

How Rail Transit Ridership Changed During the Pandemic
Almost all heavy rail transit stations lost riders in 2020, but some stations lost far fewer riders than others. The data reveals lessons for transit planning beyond the end of the pandemic (whenever that happens).

Replacing Houston's Missing Ghost Bikes
A Houston couple is asking for help installing 'ghost bike' memorials, a stark reminder of the dangers of unsafe roads to cyclists.

Oregon DOT Projects Little Decline in Driving Despite Climate Pledge
Financial projections from the state's Department of Transportation suggest the agency does not anticipate a marked reduction in driving in the next decade.

Friday Funny? Cartoon Lampoons the Growing Size of Trucks and SUVs
The Nib takes on the latest trend in car culture: massive vehicles.

Toronto City Council Removes Most Minimum Parking Requirements
The parking reform movement has a major new feather in its cap: the Toronto City Council has this week adopted sweeping changes to the parking requirements of the city's zoning bylaws.

Bike Lane Upgrade Planned for Downtown Boise
The Capital City Development Corp. is considering a plan to revamp and extend existing bike infrastructure on 8th Street in Downtown Boise.

Port Logjam Contributing to Dismal L.A. Air Quality
Emissions from container ships idling outside Southern California's ports are adding to pollution that has blanketed the region in a noxious layer of smog.

How Federal Funds Can Benefit Freeway Removal Projects
The recently passed infrastructure bill dedicates $1 billion to freeway removal and capping, but the sum is only a 'first step' toward redressing the injustices perpetuated by urban highway projects.

How Inadequate Transit Harms College Students
A lack of access to affordable and reliable transit is being cited as a major reason why many college students don't finish school.

Biden Administration Plans for 500,000 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
The Biden administration this week took ambitious steps toward a new era of automobile transportation in the United States.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Will Finally Make Carmakers Consider Pedestrian Safety
Pedestrian safety ratings for cars, drunk driving detection tech, and better headlights—these are just a handful of the automobile safety improvements that will benefit pedestrians as a result of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

New York MTA to Cap Weekly Transit Fares
Public transit agencies are getting creative in the effort to bring riders back to buses and trains.

What Are Transportation Network Companies?
Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), provide on-demand transportation services through app-based platforms to create a new level of convenience for riders—and a host of challenges for policymakers and regulators.

Repurposing Car Parking Can Improve Commerce
In spite of concerns from business owners about losing parking, research shows that retail benefits from better bike and pedestrian infrastructure.

Why Are U.S. Policymakers Ignoring Electric Bikes?
The singular focus on EVs is making U.S. cities miss out on the opportunity to promote e-bikes as a more efficient and sustainable transportation mode.

Historic Preservation Appeal Could Delay Penn Station Redevelopment
New York State's Historic Preservation Office has moved to place the notorious Penn Station on the National Register of Historic Places, potentially upending redevelopment plans.

Light Rail and Buses and More, Oh My!
A light rail bridge proposed for Lady Bird Lake, still pre-design, is causing controversies about whether adding buses to the bridge would be too dangerous for the other non-automotive modes.

Austria Halts Eight Highway Projects to Fight Climate Change
Austria's Greens political party has achieved a rare political victory against automobile dependence.
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.
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