Transportation
Will Falling Gas Prices Revive SUV Sales?
Gas prices averaged $2.44 nationwide on Sept. 22, 47 cents less than a month ago (per AAA) and continue to fall as oil prices hover at $60/barrel; yet surveys show consumers continue to rank fuel economy as their top consideration.
A Major Setback For Atlanta's Beltline Project
Atlanta's proposed transit and recreation loop using largely abandoned rail lines as a spur to economic development was dealt a damaging blow as a suburban developer backed out of plans to build condo towers along the line.
Benefits Of Plug-In Hybrids Overrated
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles have been promoted as achieving over 100 mpg. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy reports on the energy and emissions benefits of this new technology, showing it varies on geography and technology.
California Sues Auto Industry Over Global Warming
With the State of California recently moving to seek damages from car makers, could auto manufacturers be the new tobacco industry -- ripe for litigation due to the global warming emissions from the vehicles they produce?
Toll Road Controversy Changes Colorado Law On Private Takings
When a developer proposed building a toll road under an 1891 law that allowed private developers to condemn property needed for a road, land owners protested, and Colorado changed the law.
Stockholm Votes In Congestion Pricing -- And Its Opponents
Sorting out the politics of Stockholm congestion charging with James Savage, editor-in-chief of the Swedish, English-language newspaper, The Local.
Atlanta's MARTA System Looks To Change Image
Care to ride a bus shaped like a fish? Sample a new sofa on a rapid-transit train? See locally produced artworks? MARTA's marketing consultant says you might. But the system's riders just want on-time arrivals.
Stockholm Adopts Congestion Charge
Voters in Stockholm, Sweden approve a measure to charge motorists a fee to drive into the city center.
California Emission Law Has Its Day In Court
In U.S. District Court in Fresno on Sept. 15, a California deputy attorney general asked Judge Ishii to dismiss a suit by the auto industry that would void the state's new emission standards, applicable in 2009, that target carbon dioxide.
Sprawl: History Or Myth?
A critical review of Robert Bruegmann's book 'Sprawl: A Compact History' asserts that Bruegmann's work exemplifies several common myths about sprawl.
Beijing To Ban Cars At 2008 Olympics
To reduce traffic congestion and pollution, officials in Beijing will prohibit the use of private cars at sporting events during the 2008 Olympic Summer Games.
Planned Tollway Causes Great Divide In Paradise
Surfers and environmentalists are waging war against the planned six-lane roadway through Trestles, considered a Southern California icon, immortalized in 'Surfin' U.S.A.'
California's $20 Billion Transportation Bond
Despite facing no organized opposition and proponents having spent over $5 million to date, support for the $20 billion transportation bond, which will finance new roads and public transit, stands only at 54 percent.
An Interview With New York City's Bike Network Builder
Ryan Russo, New York City Department of Transportation's Director for Street Management and Safety talks about the city's aggressive plans to build out the city's bicycle commuting network.
Should The Senate Bail-Out Amtrak?
This editorial from The New York Sun argues that a $1.6 billion bail out from the U.S. Senate is not the right way to fix the nation's perpetually struggling passenger rail system. International examples of success should be considered.
Series Covers 'Planning In The West'
A series of articles and reports addressing growth in the Western United States, including Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Idaho and other states.
Trees Make Streets Safer, Not Deadlier
A transportation researcher at Texas A&M has set about to prune the view against fixed hazardous objects -- a.k.a. street trees.
Does Highway Expansion Solve Urban Traffic Congestion?
A new paper evaluates claims that highway capacity expansion is a cost effective and desirable solution to urban traffic congestion problems.
Transit Priorities Battle It Out In Los Angeles
With several plans for new transit lines developing simultaneously, local officials and politicians are trying to balance the region's enormous need with the fiscal realities in Washington.
Biking Trends Stay Strong In Stockholm
This summer's biking statistics show a 15% increase in biking in Sweden's capital city.
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
