Light Rail

White and blue Sound Transit light rail train on elevated rail in Seattle, Washington.

Seattle Needs More Railcars

Sound Transit needs more cars to accommodate its ridership, particularly during special events and peak times.

October 31, 2023 - The Seattle Times

Aerial view of Omaha, Nebraska downtown.

Omaha Streetcar Breaks Ground

The city aims to bring back its once-extensive streetcar network.

September 26, 2023 - Omaha World-Herald

Aerial view of Atlanta BeltlLine greenway with yellow umbrellas

New Study Commissioned for Atlanta BeltLine Transit

The study will assess alignment options for a 13-mile segment of the greenway.

September 12, 2023 - Urbanize Atlanta

White Dallas light rail car with Dallas skyline in background

Dallas Nixes Subway Plan

A proposed subway line was removed from DART’s 20-year plan, with the agency citing low ridership projections and local opposition.

August 18, 2023 - NBC DFW

View from above platform in D.C. Brutalist subway station with people waiting on platforms

D.C. Leads the Nation for Transit Recovery

Ridership on the region’s rail systems is rebounding faster than other major transit systems.

July 9, 2023 - Greater Greater Washington

A system map of Skyline Mail, which circumvents the city of Honolulu.

Skyline Rail, Now Serving Honolulu

In a historic day for public transit, Skyline Rail, a project once deemed the worst transit project in the United States due to extreme cost overruns and construction delays, finally opened to the public at the end of June.

July 2, 2023 - The Honolulu Star Advertiser

Map of proposed Baltimore Red Line transit line alignment with white boxes showing open questions

Details Start to Emerge for Revived Baltimore Red Line

The long-awaited east-west transit line is moving forward with support from a new governor, but still has a long road ahead.

June 22, 2023 - Greater Greater Washington

rendering of red light rail tran at crowded station platform

Texas Attorney General Calls Project Connect Funding Scheme Illegal

The massive transit project’s unique funding scheme could run afoul of state law.

May 23, 2023 - Austin American-Statesman

Rendering of white Honolulu light railtrain speeding past landscape

Honolulu Light Rail to Open in June

The city’s first light rail line will finally begin service after more than a half century of planning.

May 18, 2023 - Hawaii Public Radio

White VTA light rail train passing by historic building in downtown San Jose, California

San Jose Rail Extension Clinches Final Funding Piece

The new line will expand rail service to more communities in the South Bay.

April 26, 2023 - The Mercury News

Rendering of blue light rail train and people walking around train station in Austin, Texas

Austin’s Project Connect Faces More Hurdles

Two proposed bills in the Texas state legislature call for more voter oversight of the mass transit project, which could imperil the transit expansion approved by voters in 2020.

April 25, 2023 - KXAN

Denver Rail

Denver-Area Rail Service Disruptions Expected During Maintenance Work

RTD is beginning maintenance on retaining walls along its southeastern light rail lines that is expected to last roughly six months.

April 4, 2023 - The Denver Post

St. Louis Metrolink

St. Louis Train Expansion Planning Receives Federal Funding

The Bi-State Development Agency received roughly $7.4 million for efforts to expand the city’s MetroLink train system.

March 28, 2023 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Metro Los Angeles

Inland Empire Cities Cry Foul on Light Rail Funding

Cities in San Bernardino County are questioning California state funding processes that failed to allocate any state dollars to an inland rail extension, opting instead to fund more ‘splashy’ L.A.-area projects.

February 15, 2023 - San Gabriel Valley Tribune

MARTA bus with Atlanta skyline in background

Atlanta Proposed Rail Line to Become Bus Rapid Transit

MARTA officials argue that bus rapid transit will be faster and more cost-effective than the originally proposed light rail option.

February 15, 2023 - BizJournals

Golden sunset view of New York City subway train on elevated track with Empire State Building in background

The U.S. Lags in High-Quality Transit Investment

While other countries are boosting investment in their light and heavy rail systems, transit projects in U.S. cities have slowed, signaling diminished commitment to transit expansion.

January 25, 2023 - the transport politic

View of enclosed glass pedestrian bridge over street with EMORY in large letters across the glass

MARTA Narrows Clifton Corridor Transit Line to Three Options

The agency has selected three potential plans for building a light rail or bus rapid transit line that would serve Emory University and other major employment and commercial hubs.

November 10, 2022 - Saporta Report

Purple Line Extension

Coalition Fights Displacement Along Purple Line

Community advocates are warning that Maryland’s new light rail line could cause displacement without concerted efforts to preserve affordable housing and legacy businesses.

October 6, 2022 - The Washington Post

Runway and plane taking off at Paine Field, Everett, Washington

Will Snohomish County Light Rail Bypass the Airport?

Some county leaders rejected two proposed routes that would skirt Boeing and Paine Field, citing the area’s high potential for travelers and jobs.

September 30, 2022 - HeraldNet

Fairview Heights K Line station, Los Angeles

K Line to South L.A. To Open October 7

The line, part of L.A.'s effort to expand its public transit system ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics, was originally scheduled to open in 2019.

September 26, 2022 - The Source (Metro)

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.