Transportation

Editorial: Time to Increase the Gas Tax - Gradually

The Gulf spill, renewed attention to federal deficit, and summer driving prompts the Washington Post to advocate for a gradual increase in the all-time low federal gas tax, while acknowledging 'fierce' opposition by the electorate and politicians.

July 13, 2010 - The Washington Post - Editorial

Driving Business with High Speed Rail

A recent report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors shows that high speed rail can be a driver of business opportunities. National Journal asks its panel of transportation experts if they think those findings are correct.

July 13, 2010 - National Journal

Walking's Role in Home Buying Decisions

How walkable neighborhoods are is playing an increasingly important role in decisions about where to buy homes.

July 13, 2010 - The Wall Street Journal

Investing in Brazil's Urban Mobility Ahead of the World Cup and Olympics

As Brazil prepares to host the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics, its cities are trying to improve their public transit systems.

July 13, 2010 - The City Fix

BRT Money Heads to Chicago and New York

Chicago and New York City have secured funds form the Federal Transportation Administration to build bus rapid transit systems.

July 13, 2010 - The Architect's Newspaper

Many Ways to Reimagine Suburbia

The "Build a Better Burb" contest from Long Island Index has chosen 23 finalists with a variety of interesting ideas for redesigning the suburbs for the next century - in this case, Long Island.

July 12, 2010 - A Daily Dose Of Architecture

Road Diet Crash Reduction Variations Studied By DOT

This 4-page summary report (PDF) is a summary of a technical paper attempting to show differences in the reduction in road crashes that result from road diets.

July 12, 2010 - The Highway Safety Information System (U.S. DOT-FHWA)

S.F.'s Market Street Railway Celebrates Sesquicentennial

Carl Nolte, the San Francisco Chronicle's historian, writes on the 150-year anniversary of the Market St. Railway that began operation as a 2-car steam train on July 4, 1860, and the evolution of rail on/under Market St including BART & Muni Metro.

July 12, 2010 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Used MetroCards Make Big Litter - MTA Proposes a Solution

They litter almost every subway entrance - the ubiquitous, value-exhausted plastic MetroCards. Yet, MetroCards are refillable. Now MTA has devised a simple, revenue-producing measure that would reduce the litter by adding a $1 fee to new cards.

July 11, 2010 - New York Post

TOD Boom in L.A.

Light rail is expanding to Los Angeles' Westside, and with it is coming a wave of transit-oriented developments.

July 11, 2010 - The New York Times

Lowest Gas Taxes In History

USA Today does some interesting analysis of the 18.4 cent federal gas tax and comes to some startling conclusions about how historically low it is when considered with vehicle miles driven and per capita income.

July 10, 2010 - USA Today

Take A Floating Hotel Across the Ocean

Designer Nick Talbot, who worked on Virgin Galactic projects, is proposing a floating hotel he's calling "Aircruise" which would take a leisurely 37 hour journey between London and New York.

July 10, 2010 - The Brisbane Times

Electric Highway On its Way to Pacific Northwest

The nation's first electric highway could be coming to the Pacific Northwest.

July 10, 2010 - Seattle Post-Intelligencer

A Broader Audience for Bicycles

Fast Company reports on a branding company that is working to get biking out of the "hipster ghetto" and into the mainstream.

July 9, 2010 - Fast Company

Ciclovia Goes to Oakland for 'Oaklavia'

Oakland, California recently closed off two miles of city street to cars, creating a Bogota-inspired ciclovia, dubbed 'Oaklavia'.

July 9, 2010 - Streetsblog

Sustainable Communities: Live Event with HUD, DOT and EPA Leadership

Whitehouse.gov held a live online event on July 15th at 2pm EDT/11am PDT on sustainable communities. All of the questions were submitted and chosen by Planetizen readers.

July 8, 2010 - Tim Halbur

"Not Only Hi-Tech, It's Also Lederhosen"

Munich returns to the top of Monocle's most liveable cities for 2010. According to Monocle, Munich is a place where "wealth and prosperity are reinvested in transport, infrastructure and environmental initiatives."

July 8, 2010 - Monocle Magazine

"Share The Road" Now Law In Illinois

In this 4:32 minute video in a bike store, Gov. Quinn expresses his enthusiasm for cycling after signing a bill intended to make Illinois the safest state to bicycle. Motorists take heed - expect to be ticketed for driving too close to a cyclist.

July 8, 2010 - The State of Illinois Press Release

The Keys To Charlotte's Successful Light Rail

Many things came together for light rail to come to Charlotte, starting in 1996. Key was perseverance by a conservative mayor, a volunteer group that started a historic trolley, voters who supported a sales tax, and experienced transit professionals

July 8, 2010 - Grist: Cities of the Future

Villaraigosa Must Back His New Planner With Comprehensive Reorganization

Mayor Villaraigosa must appoint a planning director who will overcome the sprawling bureaucracy that has hindered much of the LA's endeavors, says the Los Angeles Times.

July 7, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

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.