Transportation

Fixing Traffic Without Help From Uncle Sam

Desperate to find ways to relieve traffic congestion, local planners are getting creative with transportation plans and potential sources of revenue.

November 30, 2007 - The Christian Science Monitor

Will New Yorkers Outwit The City's Planned Congestion Pricing Scheme?

Unscrupulous Londoners have already learned how to beat that city's famed congestion charge system, and with Mayor Bloomberg's plan relying on the same technology, there are worries about a surge in license plate counterfeiting.

November 30, 2007 - WCBS 2 TV

Making It Cool To Walk To School

A newly released study looked at various programs designed to encourage more students to walk to school, and helps to identify a recipe for success.

November 29, 2007 - Health News Digest

Sydney To Dedicate Parking For Car Sharing

Officials hope the new trial program will help increase the number of residents who join car sharing schemes.

November 29, 2007 - The Age

D.C. Area Seeks Streetcar Rebirth

Business people join with transportation planners in calling for streetcar systems in the Washington D.C. area. Several are in the works.

November 28, 2007 - Washington Business Journal

TOD Dreams Must Overcome Zoning

A light rail line planned to run in the Colorado city of Aurora has many city officials and developers itching to build some high-density, mixed-use, walkable urban development. The only problem is the city's zoning ordinance forbids it.

November 27, 2007 - The Aurora Sentinel

Light Rail Debuts To Over-Capacity Crowd

Charlotte, North Carolina, overwhelmed by turnout for free rides on new light rail line, which exceeded capacity nearly three-fold. Officials now wonder if their ridership estimates have been placed too low.

November 27, 2007 - The Charlotte Observer

Adressing Congestion Now More Politically Feasible

Congestion issues are high on many lists of urgent urban issues. Politicians and governments are now easing up to the formerly-avoided expense of improving highways and roads.

November 26, 2007 - The Christian Science Monitor

A Coming Future When Cars Are Not Privately Owned

Citing the failure of 2nd generation alternative fuels and the looming issue of traffic congestion, the Chairman of Ford Motor Company ponders 'radical' solutions for the future.

November 25, 2007 - The New York Times

Raising Turnpike Tolls Will Be Key To Reducing NJ State Deficit

Governor Jon Corzine finally explained that a key strategy to reduce New Jersey's staggering $32 billion debt will be to substantially increase tolls on the 3 major state toll roads, using the revenue to form a public corporation to issue bonds.

November 23, 2007 - The New York Times

L.A. Is King Of Traffic Congestion, Dumb Growth

People who drive in L.A. have a lot of time to think about the urban form while they sit in traffic. Specifically, they wonder why everything in Southern California requires a trip in the car.

November 21, 2007 - California Planning & Development Report

Highway Tolling Bill Up For Consideration In Washington

Seeking a way to fund the state's many transit and transportation projects, officials in Washington are considering a plan that would put a highway tolling bill in front of the state legislature early next year -- a bill many believe would pass.

November 20, 2007 - Crosscut

First Leg Of Second Ave Subway Receives $1.3 Billion In Federal Funds

The first (of four) phases of the infamous Second Ave. subway is ready to begin construction thanks to the approval of $1.3 billion in federal financing, enabling the long-delayed line to be built from 92nd to 63rd streets in Manhattan.

November 20, 2007 - The New York Times

Cities Consider Forming Own Agencies After Metro Transit Funding Measure Fails

A measure that would have increased funding for Milwaukee-area commuter transit was recently voted down, fueling a push for neighboring cities to break away and form their own transit agencies.

November 20, 2007 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Transit Riders Challenge Edmonton City Councillors To Take The Bus

The Transit Riders' Union of Edmonton has challenged city councilors in Edmonton, Alberta to give up their private vehicles. Four councilors will rely exclusively on public transit for the next week.

November 20, 2007 - CBC News

Boston's Newest U-Turn Confounds Users

Despite predictions of heavy use, a mere 200 vehicles a day are using a high-capacity expressway U-turn intended to ease traffic on the city's surface streets.

November 19, 2007 - The Boston Globe

More Pedestrians Hit By Cars After Time Change

The daylight savings time change earlier this month has been blamed for a rash of pedestrian deaths and injuries from car collisions in Toronto. The city is looking to police to step up enforcement to cut down the number of injuries.

November 19, 2007 - The Toronto Star

Double Decker Bus To Be Tested In San Francisco

San Francisco plans to test out a double-decker bus for possible adoption into its public transit fleet.

November 17, 2007 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Friday Funny: Free Pizza For Transit Riders?

Officials in Ottawa, Canada are planning to try a new marketing ploy to get commuters to switch to the bus -- free pizza.

November 16, 2007 - Canoe.ca

Proposed London Car Ban Sparks Criticism

Cars will be banned from many of London's central city streets as part of a plan by Mayor Ken Livingstone to improve the city's pedestrian friendliness. Many critics say the roads chosen for the ban are too crucial to lose.

November 16, 2007 - The 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.