Workers who have returned to in-person jobs are still experiencing less traffic congestion than in 2019.

Writing in Axios, Nick Halter and Alex Fitzpatrick note that commuters in the Twin Cities are still seeing lower commute times than in 2019, signaling a benefit of remote work and other adjustments for all workers.
The data is reflected in traffic, too: “In 2019, 24.4% of the metro freeway system was congested; in 2022 that number was only 13.7%, according to a MnDOT report.”
According to the article, “Another state report found that just a 4% drop in vehicle miles traveled during peak times can cause a 35% decrease in congestion. In other words, just a small number of remote workers staying home during rush hour has a big impact.”
FULL STORY: Commuting is still quicker for most workers in the Twin Cities

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

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.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street
If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.

Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.

Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.
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