Accessible technology and a centralized database and call center will help deliver a one-call, one-click transportation information system for seniors and people with special needs in the Portland region.
"Seniors and people living with a disability who need accessible transportation across the Portland region have dealt with a patchwork of inadequate services for years," write Catie Gould and Emily Guise. "A new initiative called Mobility for All hopes to change that by creating a one-call, one-click regional transportation information system."
Much of the improvements from Mobility for All will be implemented in operations infrastructure, rather than in fancy new vehicles. "The new initiative focuses on creating a centralized database and call center for transit resources in Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties," according to the article. "At the highest level of investment, the system could provide coordinated ride booking, dispatching and payment."
According to the article, the need for improved paratransit services is growing as the region's population ages—at a rate faster than the national average. Ride Connection, a private non-profit paratransit service saw a 28 percent increase in rides between 2014 and 2016, according to the article.
FULL STORY: ‘Mobility for All’ initiative seeks to create one-stop shop for transportation access
An Unexpected Turn for California's New State Population Report
Population data released May 1 by the Department of Finance reveals the Golden State's lowest population growth rate on record, at 0.47 percent.
Do Seniors Need Cars?
One common argument against road diets and other pro-walkability policies is that seniors need cars more than anyone else. Is this claim borne out by data?
Portland's Biketown to Include 'Adaptive Bikes' to Ensure Universal Access
The city of Portland is wearing the Yellow Jersey on equity issues connected to the Biketown bikeshare system.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
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