Transportation

Bird Scooter

Bird Scooters Now Automatically Slow in High-Activity Areas

Years after cities first started trying to regulate electric scooters with geofences and designated parking areas, Bird will begin automatically lowering scooter speeds in pedestrian-dense areas like school zones and hospitals.

August 8, 2021 - Mashable

Cyclist on a street in Tucson, Arizona

Activists Urge Action to Reduce Arizona's Bike and Pedestrian Deaths

The state ranks as the seventh most dangerous for pedestrians, with more than 100 pedestrian and cyclist deaths every year.

August 8, 2021 - AZ Central

I-94 Freeway in Minneapolis

Why a 'Marginally Useful' Minneapolis Freeway Segment Should Be Removed

Two ramps that have minimal impact on traffic could make way for apartments, commercial spaces, or much-needed parks.

August 8, 2021 - Minneapolis St Paul Magazine

Open Space Trails

Study: Recreational Trails Program Underfunded by Over $200 Million

FHA research shows that multi-use trail users contribute three times as much in gas taxes as the program to build and maintain them receives.

August 8, 2021 - Streetsblog USA

Amtrak Train

Changes for Amtrak in the New Infrastructure Bill

While the agency is receiving less funding than advocates say is needed, it will also have a new mandate that prioritizes public service over profitability.

August 6, 2021 - New York Times

Downtown Houston pedestrians

Houston's Pedestrian Death Problem, Explained

The city's roadways were built to prioritize fast-moving traffic, not safety. With a new Vision Zero plan, that could change.

August 5, 2021 - Houston Chronicle

San Diego Waterfront

San Diego Bike Advocates Demand Safer Infrastructure

After 12 people were killed this year biking on San Diego County roads, local advocates are calling for more protected bike lanes and safer bike facilities.

August 4, 2021 - CBS 8 San Diego

El Paso Trolleys

El Paso Streetcar Returns With Free Fares

The historic streetcars will connect uptown and downtown amenities in a 4.8-mile loop.

August 4, 2021 - KLAQ

Cadillac Escalade

Study: More SUVs Lead to More Pedestrian Deaths

Larger vehicles are proving deadlier for pedestrians–and are more popular than ever.

August 4, 2021 - Streetsblog USA

Bollards

To Protect Pedestrians, Install More Bollards

Roadway designs protect drivers and construction workers with robust barriers. Why don't we protect pedestrians in the same way?

August 4, 2021 - Strong Towns

Houston Light Rail Transit

Houston Plans New Downtown Bus-Only Lanes

The lull in commuter traffic during the pandemic gave Houston's transit agencies time to implement new projects and redesign downtown roads to better accommodate transit users.

August 4, 2021 - The Houston Chronicle

Transit Line

Guaranteed Transit Funding Lacking in New Infrastructure Bill

Lauded by the administration as a historic amount, the transit funding promised in the revised bill lags far behind projected needs.

August 4, 2021 - CleanTechnica

Cars

It's Time For A National VMT Fee Policy

Op-ed: Charging road users by how much they drive, not how much gas they buy, is the only sustainable way forward for infrastructure funding.

August 4, 2021 - Next City

School Buses

Congress Shortchanges School Bus Electrification in Infrastructure Bill

Greening school buses, which represent the bulk of America's mass transit, would reduce children's exposure to harmful diesel emissions and remove millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions from our roads.

August 3, 2021 - Streetsblog USA

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Street Mural Aims to Slow Cars and Improve Pedestrian Safety

Part of a larger safety and beautification plan, the mural is designed to slow down drivers and bring a 'sense of hope' to the neighborhood.

August 3, 2021 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Traffic and Speed

Illinois Traffic Deaths Up by 10% Over 2020

Officials point to speeding and reckless driving as causes for the increase in fatal crashes.

August 3, 2021 - Daily Herald

Washington D.C. Metro

D.C. Transit Agencies Ready to Serve Returning Commuters

The region's transit providers are gearing up to provide enhanced service, shorter headways, and reduced or free fares as more people return to public transportation.

August 3, 2021 - The Washington Post

New York Public Transit

Report: Americans are Returning to Public Transit

According to the Federal Transit Administration, transit ridership is up dramatically from 2020 levels.

August 3, 2021 - Transportation Today News

California Central Valley

California Lawmakers Debate Killing High Speed Rail Funding

The cost increases and delays on the Central Valley project have some state lawmakers wondering whether funds should go toward local transit systems instead.

August 3, 2021 - CALmatters

Bike Lane

How 'Bicycle Friendly' is Gainesville?

Despite a recent designation from the League of American Bicyclists, one writer argues that the city's infrastructure is failing to protect pedestrians and cyclists from dangerous car traffic.

August 3, 2021 - The Gainesville Sun

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

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The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.