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.
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.
Walking's Role in Home Buying Decisions
How walkable neighborhoods are is playing an increasingly important role in decisions about where to buy homes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
TOD Boom in L.A.
Light rail is expanding to Los Angeles' Westside, and with it is coming a wave of transit-oriented developments.
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.
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.
Electric Highway On its Way to Pacific Northwest
The nation's first electric highway could be coming to the Pacific Northwest.
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.
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'.
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.
"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."
"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.
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
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.
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service