Transportation

Electric Buses Wear Out

Almost one-fifth of the transit rides in Kings County, Washington are on electric trolley buses. Unfortunately, the county hasn't bought a new trolley since 1979, and when these wear out they may not be replaced.

May 10, 2010 - The Seattle Times

The Infrastructural Benefit of South Africa's World Cup

Next month's World Cup in South Africa will bring a lot of attention to the country, and a lot of opportunity. Though many hope the country will see an economic benefit, the biggest impact is likely to be the creation of urban infrastructure.

May 10, 2010 - Nate Berg

Iron Man 2 and the Future of Energy

The plot of the summer blockbuster Iron Man 2 revolves around a fictional 1974 Expo, with the slogan "Better Living Through Technology." Managing Editor Tim Halbur says the film reflects the misplaced faith in technology and innovation that still drives Americans optimism.

May 9, 2010 - Tim Halbur

Gainesville Tracks Drivers Yielding to Pedestrians

Police in Gainesville, Florida are trying to encourage drivers to be more cautious of pedestrians with a new sign and driver tracking program that tracks how many drivers are yielding to pedestrians.

May 8, 2010 - The Gainesville Sun

How to Fix the Highway System

Two major reports released in the last couple of weeks detail very different approaches to fixing the highway system in the U.S. At the National Journal, experts weigh in on who has the right approach.

May 8, 2010 - National Journal Online

Peak Hour Parking Pricing Working In Greenwich Village & Brooklyn

Marketplace reports on the parking market from NYC. Peak hour parking is being applied on Sixth Ave in Greenwich Village as a trial to increase parking availability and decrease congestion. Due to positive results, it's now being tried in Brooklyn.

May 7, 2010 - Marketplace (American Public Media - Radio)

Turning Freeways Into Parkways

Across the country, grey-to-green transformations are in the works, capping freeways to reconnect neighborhoods with urban parks.

May 7, 2010 - USA Today

Learning From Cleveland's Healthline BRT

With a plan to distribute $775 million in federal funding for urban bus projects, Next American City's Yonah Freemark suggests using it to fund projects like Cleveland's Healthline BRT.

May 6, 2010 - Next American City

Vancouver Considers $25 Million Investment in Bike Lanes

The city of Vancouver is looking to expand its bike network with the proposal of a $25 million investment in bicycle infrastructure over the next two years.

May 6, 2010 - The Vancouver Sun

Call Yourself "Green"? Then Stop Driving!

In the wake of the Gulf of Mexico oil catastrophe, Geography professor Jason Henderson calls out "green" liberals who insist on driving.

May 6, 2010 - AlterNet

22 Cities on the Streetcar Bandwagon

This article looks at the growing popularity of streetcars in American cities, and highlights 22 cities that are planning to have new streetcar lines within the next two years.

May 5, 2010 - Scientific American

Advocates Push for Tearing Down Freeway Through Olmsted Corridor

Buffalo's Kensington Expressway cut the Humbolt Parkway neighborhood and its Frederick Law Olmsted-designed corridor in half in 1958. Activists are pushing the state to consider tearing it down and replacing it with a pedestrian-friendly boulevard.

May 5, 2010 - Buffalo News

South Africa's Crumbling Urban Rail Network

More than a third of the rolling stock in South Africa's urban rail network will go out of service within the next three years, creating a looming rail catastrophe across the country.

May 4, 2010 - Daily News

Billions in Transportation Funding Needed in PA, Says Panel

Pennsylvania's Transportation Advisory Committee says the state desperately needs to boost its budget for transit, roads and especially bridges by $3 billion.

May 4, 2010 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Lessons From NYC: Congestion Pricing

In April 2008, the NYS Assembly rejected NYC Mayor Bloomberg's congestion pricing proposal for Manhattan. A subsequent attempt to toll the free East & Harlem River bridges also failed. Bruce Schaller (NYC-DOT), involved in both efforts explains why

May 3, 2010 - TOLLROADSnews

Clean Cars: Salvation or Problem?

Alternative energy cars: will they be our salvation, or will they perpetuate auto-dependency? Jan Lundberg critiques the Sierra Club's longstanding priority on increasing fuel efficiency.

May 2, 2010 - Culture Change

Road Lobbyists Take Hit From Livability Movement

The concept of "livability" seems to be catching on -- both at a local level and up in the federal government. This is especially true in the Department of Transportation. That could mean bad news for the road building lobby.

May 2, 2010 - Center for Public Integrity

Kids in Train-ing

Trains across the former Soviet Union have peculiar staff: kids. Wired's Autopia blog explains.

May 1, 2010 - Wired

Why New Highways Get Built While Existing Roadways Crumble

A new report from U.S. PIRG reveals how special interests tilts the playing field toward the construction of new and ever-wider highways at the expense of repair and maintenance.

April 30, 2010 - Road Work Ahead: Holding Government Accountable for Fixing America's Crumbling Roads and Bridges

California Bill Would Allow Personal Vehicle Sharing

Does your car sit unused for long periods of time? A proposed law in California would allow you and your car to be part of a unique car-sharing system.

April 30, 2010 - Streetsblog San Francisco

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.