Following an "overnight" system redesign, Houston Metro ridership and frequency is up across the board. Its high frequency bus service now rivals that of peer cities on weekends.
Claudia Preciado reports on good news from Houston: an August 2015 bus grid "reimagining" seems to be succeeding. "Typically, service changes are done through a comprehensive operational analysis, followed by an intensive implementation plan of incremental changes over a lengthy amount of time. Metro implemented the entire system redesign in August 2015…overnight. Nearly every bus route was altered with the goal of creating a high-frequency, seven days a week system that increased access to people and jobs."
Houston labors under a reputation for sprawl and sub-par transit. "[Houston's] previous system had 11 lines of high frequency transit lines, defined as service with 15 minute headways or better. Only 25% of the ridership base had access to frequent service under this network."
But that seems to be changing. "On August 16, 2015, the new service redesign enabled riders to travel even further by increasing frequencies, implementing route modifications, and ensuring the transit system served demand. The change meant that 72% of the ridership base now had access to 22 lines with frequent service, seven days a week."
FULL STORY: Houston - the next great (transit) city?
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
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.
Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.
California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.
HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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