Transportation

Snowy Washington, D.C. bus stop

D.C. Promises No More ‘Ghost Buses’

The agency says a new software update will remove out-of-service buses from maps so riders aren’t ‘ghosted’ by buses that never show up.

December 20, 2022 - DCist

A map showing planned and under-construction segments of roads in Nebraska.

Federal Infrastructure Bill Accelerates Nebraska’s Plans for 600-Mile Expressway

Nebraska is in the process of criss-crossing the state with a new expressway system. According to state transportation officials, the final push to complete the multi-decade project will be aided by Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding.

December 19, 2022 - Omaha World-Herald

Vacant boarded-up storefronts along Powell Street in San Francisco, California.

Planning Year in Review 2022: Downtowns, Transportation, Climate Change

Part two of a review of the major themes, debates, and events of the year in planning that was 2022.

December 19, 2022 - James Brasuell

A toll payment facility in Florida.

Florida to Provide Toll Relief for Frequent Commuters

It will be cheaper to drive around Florida, starting January 1.

December 19, 2022 - Florida Department of Transportation

two riders wearing masks during the covid-19 pandemic exit a blue city bus in the Bronx in New York City.

Can New York Legislators Make Buses Free While Improving Service?

A pair of state legislators hope to make buses free while improving service levels on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) bus system in New York City. The effort will require a new level of political will for transit.

December 19, 2022 - AMNY

A light rail trail leaves a station with a field of grass under the blue sky in the background.

Denver’s C and F Light Rail Routes Closed Permanently

The Regional Transportation District in Denver suspended two light rail lines at the onset of Covid-19 in March 2020. The routes have now been permanently discontinued.

December 18, 2022 - The Denver Post

White NJ Transit bus

New Jersey Transit Will Ban Riders Who Assault Workers

As part of a bill passed to protect transit operators from violence and abuse, NJ Transit is creating a policy for banning violent passengers, permanently in some cases.

December 18, 2022 - NJ.com

Two people on bikes in San Diego, California

California’s Year in Bike Policy

Bike and pedestrian advocates saw some big legislative and political wins in 2022.

December 16, 2022 - CalBike Report

Concrete highway overpasses under construction, view from below

What Will Highway Removal Funding Actually Fund?

The federal Reconnecting Communities program is aimed at supporting highway removal and reversing the damage caused by rampant freeway construction, but some watered down proposals from state agencies could fund road expansion instead.

December 16, 2022 - Route Fifty

Cars on a New York City street

Mapping Climate Impact at the Neighborhood Level

A consumption-based analysis illustrates the differences in average household emissions across census tracts.

December 15, 2022 - The New York Times

Stoplight with two lights and mounted traffic camera against blue sky with white clouds

Making Traffic Camera Programs Work

Although controversial in the United States, when deployed thoughtfully, automated enforcement can save lives and make roads safer for all users.

December 15, 2022 - Streetsblog USA

Bus Lane New York City

New York DOT To Fail Bus Lane Goals

The department expects to miss its bus lane construction target for at least 2022 and 2023, blaming staff and budget shortages for the shortfall.

December 15, 2022 - StreetsBlog NYC

CTA Red Line

Update: Chicago Red Line Extension TIF Approved

The long-anticipated project that will bring the Chicago Transit Authority rail system into transit deserts on the Southside of Chicago is making substantial progress.

December 14, 2022 - WBEZ

A sign reads “No Parking” for temporary construction, with a construction crane in the background.

Parking Reform for Affordable Housing Production

The Regional Plan Association published “Parking Policy Is Housing Policy: How Reducing Parking Requirements Stimulates Affordable Housing Production.”

December 14, 2022 - Regional Plan Association

Kansas City Bus

Free Transit, But at What Cost?

Opinion: The movement toward fare-free transit might have more to do with optics and politics than planning.

December 14, 2022 - James Brasuell

London Bikes

Active and Micro Mobility Modes Can Provide Cost-Effective Emission Reductions–If We Let Them

What role can active and micro modes (walking, bicycling, e-bikes and their variants) play in reducing emissions? Far more than most current emission reduction plans will achieve. We can do better!

December 13, 2022 - Todd Litman

Metro Transit Minneapolis

Minneapolis Leans Into Bus Rapid Transit

The city wants to become North America’s ‘bus rapid transit capital.’

December 13, 2022 - Governing

Helicopter flying over New York City with Empire State Building visible on left

Helicopter Noise Complaints Surge in New York

Residents argue the city and state must do more to regulate the hundreds of flights that criss-cross the area on a daily basis.

December 13, 2022 - StreetsBlog NYC

Bus Priority Zones

Chicago Makes ‘Pop-Up’ Bus Lanes Permanent

Even with the addition of 3.5 miles of permanent bus-only lanes, Chicago trails other cities in miles of dedicated bus lanes.

December 12, 2022 - Streetsblog Chicago

Baltimore Rail

Baltimore’s Red Line Rail Project Back on the Table Thanks to New Governor

One of the most infamously anti-transit decisions of the past decade—Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s decision to cancel the Baltimore Red Line system expansion—could be reversed by the incoming governor.

December 12, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

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.