Transportation

Congressional High Speed Rail Funding To Cease

In an unusual showing of agreement by both houses, it would appear that Congress will terminate funding for HSR in a bill that authorizes funding for the transportation department next year. The House hears the bill Nov. 17; Senate the next day.

November 17, 2011 - AP via NPR

London Experiments With Shared Streets

It may seem counter-intuitive, but "shared space" advocates say cars and bikes will get in fewer accidents if barriers and traffic lane markets are removed. London's Exhibition Road will open next month using this design concept.

November 17, 2011 - GOOD Magazine

LEED May Be Discouraging More Bike Storage Rooms

In a paradox of green building practices, a new office building can't earn points for building bike facilities unless the storage room has showers and changing rooms, making the price pricier.

November 17, 2011 - The New York Times - Commercial

Bicycle Users Take Action Into Their Own Hands

In 2007, Mexico City's government promised that it would build 300km of bike lanes around the city by 2012. According to Jimena Veloz, "the city still only has 22.2 km because most money is allocated to car infrastructure."

November 17, 2011 - This Big City

Los Angeles' Streetcar Plans Under Fire

With available funding from U.S. Tiger grant, Los Angeles has big hopes for its downtown which include a streetcar line that would go from north to south. Critics say the line is redundant of other existing transit.

November 16, 2011 - the transport politic

High Speed Rail Authority Hit With New Suit

Days after the CA HSR Authority was dealt a serious setback over its environmental analysis for the San Jose to SF segment, a new suit has been filed by Kings County. Construction must begin in the Central Valley next year to retain fed' funding.

November 16, 2011 - Mercury News

ASLA Seeks A More Sustainable D.C.

For Washington D.C., ASLA polled members to develop a new "comprehensive framework" connecting sustainability with economic development.

November 16, 2011 - American Society of Lanscape Architects

Senate Approves Federal Funding for NJ Rail Tunnel

Despite cancelling the ARC Tunnel project last year, New Jersey may build an alternative tunnel using U.S. Senate funding.

November 15, 2011 - TheCityFix.com

How Transportation Planners Managed the Evacuation of Tokyo

InTransition magazine examined the daunting difficulties transportation authorities and the public faced while trying to evacuate Tokyo on the day of the Great Tohuku Earthquake in March.

November 15, 2011 - InTransition

How Art Improved New Yorks Metro System

In New York, Arts for Transit is a program that was started to bring "original and integrated artworks into MTA stations and spaces and to promote design excellence." Director, Sandra Bloodworth sits with Urban Omnibus to discuss the program.

November 15, 2011 - Urban Omnibus

Has Portland Lost Its Edge?

Rep. Earl Blumenauer says that Portland has done great things, but that other cities are catching up to the city's formula for success and will soon outstrip them.

November 15, 2011 - Oregon Metro

L.A. Vision, U.S. Promise: Implications of the America Fast Forward Proposal

Long known as a land of sprawl and disconnected communities, Los Angeles has emerged as a leader in transit investments, providing forward-thinking leadership for how infrastructure finance can and should continue, even in difficult financial times, writes Allison Brooks and Darnell Chadwick Grisby of Reconnecting America.

November 14, 2011 - Allison Brooks

Georgians Gung Ho for New Passenger Rail

Passenger rail used to connect Columbus, Georgia with Atlanta, but the tracks have been silent since 1970. Today, local leaders and activists are pushing for a restoration of train service to Atlanta from Macon, Athens and Columbus.

November 14, 2011 - The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Railroad Companies Repairing Infrastructure On Their Own

Transit agencies and railroad companies realize the importance of infrastructure, as their train cars roll over bridges and through tunnels every day. This article looks at advances in bridge construction begin driven by these private industries.

November 14, 2011 - Progressive Railroading

Could a Brain-Reading Bike Be the Wave of the Future?

Bicycle builders Parlee Bikes have constructed a bicycle that can be steered by your thoughts, received through a sensor-covered helmet.

November 14, 2011 - AutoBlogGreen

Gas Prices On The Rise Despite Reduced Gas Consumption

Americans are driving less and more efficiently, resulting in reduced gas consumption - yet prices are rising. What gives? For a nation that relies on oil imports despite surging drilling, the answer is unusual.

November 14, 2011 - Los Angeles Times - Business

People Report Walking or Riding Transit More Than They Actually Do

Alan Pisarski says despite reports of growth in walking, biking, carpooling and transit, very little has changed in the U.S., and people will always over-report their good intentions.

November 13, 2011 - New Geography

Setback for HSR in San Jose to San Francisco Environmental Analysis

Three neighboring Peninsula cities scored a major victory in court by forcing the CA High Speed Rail Authority to reopen and revise the environmental document for the San Jose to San Francisco segment that they had hoped was finally completed.

November 13, 2011 - Palo Alto Online News

Boston Area Cities Receive Smart Growth Funding

Each of the cities just north of Boston will use its federal funds however it sees fit to boost smart growth principles and local economic development.

November 13, 2011 - The Boston Globe

In Beach Towns, Parking Bans are DIY

It's notoriously difficult to park in Southern California beach cities, but as Tony Barboza reports, not all "no parking" signs are legitimate.

November 13, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

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