Infrastructure
$19 Million Approved for Houston's Bayou Greenways Plan
An ambitious project Mayor Annise Parker calls "one of the most exciting things I've had the opportunity to work on as mayor" took a major step forward this week.
Here Comes Portland's New Orange Line
TriMet will get a new addition to its rail system later this month, when it opens the new Orange Line.
Honolulu's Congestion-Fighting Strategy: Build Protected Bicycle Lane Network
Honolulu's one protected bike lane on King Street, while still a pilot project, has proven so successful that the city plans a major expansion to form a protected bike lane grid that will also tie-in with the new bike share and rail transit.
The Influence of Public Works on Gentrification
New research examines the role of public investments in gentrification.
Pittsburgh Project Could Include Corridor for Driverless Vehicles
A massive redevelopment project moving forward in Pittsburgh would provide in-demand office and tech space near local universities. An innovative transportation infrastructure project could be a part of the deal.
Midwest Passenger Rail Plan Advances
Ohio rail advocates received good news from the Federal Railroad Administration: The Buckeye State will be included in an FRA study to expand its now meager service, but support from Republican Gov. John Kasich is unlikely judging from his record.
Using Technology to Create Better Traffic Counts
Tired of standing on a street corner to count traffic? Technology is automating traffic counts and providing more detailed and accurate data to support planning.
Indianapolis Puts Design Ideas to the Test With Pedestrian-Friendly Pilot Project
As it works to gather the $60 million necessary to implement permanent changes to Monument Circle, Indianapolis is testing ideas for how to make the location more pedestrian friendly.
Offshore Wind Ambitions Stall in New Jersey
The Garden State once dreamed of becoming a global leader in offshore wind electricity generation. Now its plans look dead in the water.
4 Examples of Road Diets
Jeff Speck and Spencer Boomhower created a video to illustrate how road diets work.
Sidewalk Closed on Deteriorating Bridge; Auto Traffic Continues
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is having a difficult time explaining to the public how the 122-year-old bridge can be safe for motorized vehicles "up to nine tons" but pedestrians pose a weight problem.
Hopes for Restoring New Orleans-Florida Amtrak Service Pinned on Transportation Bill
Included in the draft version of the DRIVE Act: funding to study the restoration of Amtrak's Sunset Limited route along the Gulf Coast until Hurricane Katrina.
New York City Announces $100 Million Resilience Program for Lower Manhattan
New York City is launching a program that will spend $100 million in capital funding on storm protection infrastructure in lower Manhattan.
How Planning Can Contribute to Municipal Fiscal Health
The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy has launched a new campaign "to help cities confront an epidemic of insolvency and restore the capacity for local governments to provide basic services and plan for the future."
Google Debuts Rooftop Solar Mapping Tool
Currently in its early stages, Project Sunroof tracks how much sun every roof receives. Then it estimates the costs and savings if rooftop solar were installed. Right now, the tool only covers the Bay Area, Fresno, and Boston.
Amtrak Becoming Bike Friendlier
It's still not bike-friendly, but it's getting better. The Capitol Limited from Chicago to Washington joins a small list of routes allowing for "roll-on, roll-off," though reservations and a $25 fee may apply.
What If Seattle Had a Century-Old Subway?
Virgil Bogue's 1911 Plan of Seattle called for a centrally-planned metropolis with efficient transit, parks, and a cap on building height. It was voted down, but remains an interesting study on planning for the long term.
First Rail Link in a Over a Century Now Connects U.S., Mexico
Instead of building a wall separating the United States and Mexico, officials from both countries celebrated the opening on Tuesday of the West Rail Bypass International Bridge.
On the Sudden Rise to Prominence of the Word 'Infrastructure'
At some point in the past 35 years, the word infrastructure became common in policy discussions and even in the common tongue. But why did we suddenly prefer the word "infrastructure" to other terms like "public works"?
Los Angeles Sets Vision Zero Target for 2025*
The mayor of Los Angeles followed the lead of cities like New York and San Francisco in setting Vision Zero targets for traffic fatalities by the year 2025. The question remains: Will it be done?
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
