Elevators

Report: NYC Transit Falling Behind on Accessibility
The city is lagging on meeting its pledge to improve accessibility across the system.

New York Must Make Almost All Subway Stations Accessible by 2055, Judge Rules
Another recent ruling is forcing the agency to accelerate its efforts to make all New York subway stations accessible to people with disabilities and mobility issues.

MTA Uses Density Bonuses to Improve Accessibility
Under a new zoning law, New York City developers can receive density bonuses for building elevators and other accessibility upgrades for the city’s subway system.

Did the CDC Toll the Death Knell for Public Transit?
It's official—the nation's leading public health agency would prefer that Americans drive alone to work to reduce exposure to the coronavirus. New CDC guidance call for government to subsidize drive-alone and single ride-share commutes.

Elevators Are Not the Villain
Even some defenders of urbanism fear buildings that are tall enough for elevators. This fear does not seem to be supported by New York infection data.

'The Future of Transportation Is Not About Inventions. It’s About Choices.'
While much attention is focused on new technologies, the potential of existing transportation modes has never been fully realized.

$5.5 Billion Plan for More Elevators in the N.Y.C. Subway
The city’s subway system is lagging in station accessibility, but the MTA has a plan to add elevators to 70 stations.

Waiting for a Greener Elevator
Moving an 80,000-pound metal box means using energy, and elevators can account for 2-10% of a buildings energy use.

New York MTA Will Spend $600 Million on Disabled Access Improvements
New York's Transit system has long lacked facilities to allow wheelchair users access to many of their stations.

Behind Some of History's Most Powerful Urban Innovations
A series of pieces from Sidewalk Labs examines the history and context of vital urban "innovations." So far, elevators, sewers, and traffic signals have been covered.

Houston and San Francisco: Urban Development Patterns Gone Awry
With the media rightfully pointing to Houston's sprawling urban development patterns that exacerbated the epic flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey, Paul Krugman also finds fault with cities where urban development is too tightly regulated.
Stunning Views of New York Offered from North America's Tallest Observatory
One World Trade Center's long-awaited observatory opened May 29. Located on floors 100, 101 and 102 of the tower, the 47-second elevator trip is as remarkable as the sites from the 1,250 foot high observatory.
Friday Funny: Pee Odor in Transit Elevator Got You Down?
This abbreviation may be coming to other transit elevators if it proves its snuff in Atlanta: UDD, short for Urine Detection Device. The sensors and the camera will force offenders to find appropriate places to relieve themselves, or risk arrest.
Can Elevator Innovation Keep Up With Developers' Mile High Ambitions?
Elevator technology developed in the 19th century made the advent of skyscrapers possible. Now that skyscraper construction is rebounding after the recession, can vertical transport systems keep up with developers' and designers' lofty visions?
Might High-Rises Become Uninhabitable?
Steve Mouzon argues that trillions being spent world-wide on skyscrapers could be lost as energy costs rise.
A Shopping Merry-Go-Round
Modern Mechanics Magazine featured a strange idea for circulating people throughout a shopping mall called the "Revolator" that moved people up and around in glass boxes so they could see into stores.
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.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research