Transportation

New Orleans Freeway

Outdated State and Federal Road Design Rules Hinder Freeway Removal

Although some cities are in favor of removing or reducing urban freeways in favor of more walkable spaces, guidelines like the 11-year-old MUTCD still encourage a 'throughput at all costs' mentality.

October 1, 2021 - Governing

Metro Transit Green Line

Three New Programs to Increase Transit Ridership in the Twin Cities

With peak hour commuter travel not expected to rebound to pre-pandemic levels, Metro Transit is getting creative in its efforts to attract new riders.

October 1, 2021 - MinnPost

Western Hills Viaduct in the West End, Cincinnati, Ohio

Sales Tax Could Fully Fund Cincinnati Viaduct

One of Southwest Ohio's most urgent infrastructure projects would move forward if the SORTA board approves a recent proposal to allocate Issue 7 funding to the replacement plan for the Western Hills Viaduct.

September 30, 2021 - Cincinnati Enquirer

A TriMet MAX Red Line light rail train heading for the Portland International Airport comes to a stop at Pioneer Place in downtown Portland.

MAX Red Line Extension Wins Federal Funding in Portland

The "A Better Red" project won the federal funding it needed from the federal Transit Administration's Capital Investment Grants program.

September 29, 2021 - Federal Transit Administration

A rendering showing a planned freeway improvement project that will create a "lid" over State Route 520 for use as public open space.

Seattle Freeway Lid Expected by 2030

When complete, the SR 520 Montlake Project will reorganize the street grid to provide new connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists.

September 29, 2021 - Capitol Hill Seattle Blog

I-71 I-70 Columbus OH

The Most Unsafe Road in Ohio: A Five-Mile Stretch of Interstate in Columbus

Traffic safety analysis inspires debate about the culprit (drivers or engineers?) on the least safe stretch of road in the Buckeye State.

September 29, 2021 - The Columbus Dispatch

An image of pedestrians walking across the Millennium Bridge toward St. Paul's cathedral in London.

City of London Could Set Speed Limits at 15 MPH

The City of London (not to be confused with the larger area of Greater London) will consider a plan to reduce speed limits throughout the "Square Mile" that outlines its boundaries.

September 29, 2021 - Forbes

Washington D.C.

D.C. Considers Centering Equity in Transportation and Land Use Planning Decisions

A plan to prioritize equity would, according to regional planners, increase access to jobs and resources, reduce emissions, and improve public health.

September 29, 2021 - The Washington Post

Toronto Sidewalk

Student-Designed Cool Sidewalk Could Reduce 'Urban Heat Island' Effect

Researchers at the University of New Mexico created a sidewalk design using materials that would reduce heat absorption and require fewer materials than traditional concrete sidewalks.

September 28, 2021 - University of New Mexico

Seattle Transit

Northgate Link Extension—Opening This Weekend—Expected to Transform Seattle in More Ways Than One

The long awaited Northgate Link Extension, which will connect rapidly changing neighborhoods in North Seattle to downtown in 14 minutes, will open to the public on Saturday, October 2.

September 28, 2021 - The Seattle Times

A map focused on the city of Lehi, Utah, showing Interstate 15, which runs through the city.

'Quality of Life' Award for Utah Freeway Widening Prompts Criticism, Debate

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials recently announced that the Utah Department of Transportation had won the "Quality of Life/Community Development" award. A social media pile on commenced.

September 28, 2021 - The Washington Post

Bikes and Kids

Opinion: Car-Centric Cities Hurt Kids

Designing neighborhoods with children in mind could reduce traffic fatalities and improve the health and well-being of kids.

September 27, 2021 - Streetsblog USA

Chicago Bikers

Chicago Dismantles Leland 'Slow Street' Three Months Early

Citing neighborhood concerns, the city is ending the Slow Street program on Leland Street as more parks and beaches reopen, but advocates want to see more permanent traffic calming measures.

September 27, 2021 - Streetsblog Chicago

Port Authority of Allegheny County

New Long-Range Transit Plan Adopted for Pittsburgh Area

A long list of transit projects is included in the NEXTransit long-range plan approved recently by the Port Authority of Allegheny County.

September 27, 2021 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Castro Street Pedcrossing with Rainbow Flag Colour

California Set to Decriminalize Jaywalking

Pedestrian and civil rights advocates have long argued that jaywalking laws are overly punitive and unequally enforced.

September 26, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Madrid Pedestrian Street

Pedestrian Malls in the 21st Century

The successes and failures of past pedestrian malls can inform the future of pandemic-induced "open streets" programs.

September 26, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

A group of cyclists rides on a green painted bike line on the Embarcadero in Sa Francisco.

Bill Legalizing the Idaho Stop in California Waits for Governor's Signature

The Idaho Stop—allowing people on bikes to treat stop signs in empty intersections as yield signs—is gaining popularity around the country. Next (not quite) stop: California.

September 24, 2021 - San Francisco Chronicle

14th Street Traffic

Open Letter to D.C. Mayor Calls for End to Traffic Violence

After a driver fatally struck a toddler, D.C.-area pedestrian and cycling advocates ask the District to take stronger action to prevent traffic fatalities.

September 24, 2021 - Greater Greater Washington

Seattle Transit

Sound Transit To Receive $3.84 Billion in Federal Loans

The funding will support the financing of six projects, including the Downtown Redmond Link Extension.

September 23, 2021 - U.S. Department Of Transportation

ABQ Ride stop

Transit Goes Fare-Free for One Year in Albuquerque

Albuquerque will become one of the largest cities in the nation to launch a fare-free pilot program for transit riders.

September 23, 2021 - Albuquerque Journal

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.