Transportation
Putting the Park in Parking Lots
Lester Brown of the Earth Policy Institute proposes renovating city parking lots into actual parks would go a long way to improving the air quality of cities.
Six States' Attempts To Increase Fuel Taxes
A new 21-page report evaluates the efforts of ID, NH, MA, MN, OR, and VT to raise state fuel taxes from 2006-2009. Why did only two succeed? This analysis looks only at how the debates were played out in print media in each of the states.
Automakers Working to Improve MPG Through Traffic Signals
BMW and Audi are studying ways to improve fuel efficiency using strategies that outside of the vehicle.
TOD in Peril on Route 66
A planned extension of Los Angeles' Gold Line light rail out through the Route 66 towns of Azusa and Glendora was sold as a way to bring transit-oriented development to struggling towns. With the economy down, will it still work?
HOT Lanes for Honolulu?
Honolulu, HI is an island paradise, but it also has big city traffic problems. Sam Staley of the Reason Foundation says relief could come in the form of privately-funded HOT lanes.
Changing Behaviors with Bike to Work Day
Cong. Earl Blumenauer and Mayor Adrian Fenty both turned out in biking gear at Bike to Work Day in Washington, D.C., along with 900 riders who committed to bike commuting on that day.
A 'String' Theory for High Speed Rail
This post from Gizmag looks at Anatoly Unitsky's String Transport Systems, which are trains that operate on above-ground rails at speeds of up to 300 miles per hour -- in theory.
Public Transit And Road Building Lobbies - Tied At The Hip?
Why would the nation's major public transit organization work so closely with America' major road lobbying group, even when it comes to opposing landmark climate legislation aimed at reducing 33% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from transportation?
Railway Celebrates Sesquicentennial
The 150-year-old Staten Island Railway is one of the NYC Transit Authority's little known gems. There's no charge if you travel between any of the 20 intermediary stations. It serves the St. George Ferry Terminal for the ferry trip to Manhattan.
From Idyllic Nature to the Hip, Urban Landscape
Ads for automobiles have depicted their vehicles swooping through dramatic natural landscapes, but as Catherine Lutz and Anne Lutz Fernandez note, car ads have moved into the city.
Chicago's Greener Alleys Program shares insights on sustainable transportation
Chicago is using pervious pavements and reflective materials on its 1,900 miles of alleys to reduce flooding, cut demand on storm sewers, and decrease the city's urban heat island effect. The program is so successful that they are expanding it.
World Cup's Impact on Transit in South Africa
This post from The City Fix looks at some of the new public transit systems that have been built in South Africa ahead of this year's World Cup.
Driving is Down, but Families Log Ever More Miles Running Errands
Although overall household driving is down, the number of miles families log for shopping continues to climb, according to new federal data.
Is A Mass Transit Bailout the Right Move?
National Journal asks its panel of transportation experts whether mass transit agencies really deserve $2 billion in emergency operating aid.
San Francisco Considers Demand-Based Parking Prices
San Francisco's transportation agency has proposed the installation of parking meters in a handful of neighborhoods that dynamically change their prices according to the time of day and the related demand.
Google Sued When Map Leads Pedestrian Into Busy Intersection
A pedestrian in Park City, UT followed her downloaded Google map onto a four-lane road sans sidewalks. She was hit by a motorist before reaching the median. Lauren Rosenberg is seeking $100,000 in a federal lawsuit.
Crunching the Numbers on L.A. Traffic
At the Automated Traffic Surveillance and Control center (ATSAC) near City Hall in Los Angeles, a team of engineers watches traffic flow all over the city, sucking in tons of data to improve transit and automotive circulation.
Quantifying Health Costs Of Auto-Dependency
Can health care costs be factored into transportation investments? Should they? The American Public Health Association says an emphatic 'yes' to both. Results are reported in a 12-page report that includes cost savings from walkable urban design.
NIMBYs vs. Rafters
Landowners in Gunnison, Colorado are claiming that rafters passing through on the banks of the Gunnison River are trespassing. Do property rights extend into the water?
When Buses (May) Replace Rail: Princeton's Dinky Line
It's the nation's shortest commuter route, less than 3 miles with no intermediary stops. The train composed of two electrified cars, with presidential history in its 145 years. If Princeton University has its way, it will soon be replaced by a bus.
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
