Electrified truck stops are a major tool in the battle against particulate pollution from diesel engines. In California, the Air Resources Board has just outlawed overnight idling, effective 2008.
"Since August 2004, this electrified truck stop has offered cab heating or cooling, four electrical plugs, wireless Internet access, cable television hookups, phone service and delivery of food from the truck stop's restaurant to truckers on layovers."
"The new system has eliminated more than 1,400 metric tons of diesel emissions at the truck stop, and saved more than 134,000 gallons of diesel, said John Doty, a spokesman for the IdleAire Technologies Corporation, which operates the hookups."
"All the states in the New York metropolitan area are struggling to reduce particulate pollution, with trouble spots including Fairfield and New Haven counties in Connecticut; Long Island, New York City and the lower Hudson Valley in New York; and 13 New Jersey counties surrounding New York City and Philadelphia, said Ray Werner, a regional official with the Environmental Protection Agency"
Thanks to Sierra Club California Activist Forum
FULL STORY: New Tool at Truck Stops Lets Drivers Take Breaks Without Idling Engines

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.

San Diego Swaps Parking Lane for Kid-Friendly Mini Park
The block-long greenway will feature interactive play equipment and landscaping.

Tracking the Invisible: Methane Leaks From LA’s Neighborhood Oil Sites
Environmental advocates are using infrared technology to monitor and document methane leaks from neighborhood oil sites, filling regulatory gaps and pushing for stronger protections to safeguard community health and the climate.

Montana Bill Promotes Parking Reform
A bill before the Montana state senate would bar cities from requiring more than one parking spot per new housing unit.
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.
Caltrans
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland