Randal O'Toole

O'Toole, Cato Institute Part Ways
Randal O'Toole, who resisted contemporary progressive planning trends by supporting the unfettered expansion of automobile infrastructure and single-family residential development, is no longer employed by the conservative-leaning Cato Institute.
Solutions to Fixing the Gas Tax Crisis
The Wall Street Journal published a 10-page energy section with the declining gas tax problem on page 1. Five solutions are offered: taxing the miles, taxing the roads, indexing the gas tax, taxing the oil, and taxing the cars. Each has challenges.
Congress Fails to Learn From I-35W Bridge Collapse
Five years after the I-35W bridge collapse, Congress has yet to address the failing condition of America's bridges. There is no consensus between the two parties in Congress on how to remedy the situation, unlike the progress shown in Minnesota.
Making Room for Public Transit
A report authored by Transportation for America and the American Public Transportation Association suggests that, no less than Social Security and Medicare, retiring baby boomers will have to cope with limited mobility options.
The Expense of Tax-Increment Financing
A new report from the Cato Institute says that tax-increment financing (TIFs) costs taxpayers $10 billion a year and the practice is growing by the minute.
High-Speed BUS Travels at 150 MPH
Wubbo Ockels, a Dutch physicist and astronaut, has designed and built a prototype high-speed bus as an alternative to high-speed rail. (VIDEO)
Superstreets To The Rescue
Randal O'Toole points to a thesis paper that proposes a new approach to traffic flow at major intersections.
The Origin Story of Randal O'Toole
The noted "antiplanner" tells the story of how, while riding a train across California, he discovered that transportation policy is driven by corrupt politics—and how he got the girl in the process.
Poor Ridership = Poor Efficiency
Randal O'Toole argues that transit will never be energy efficient because ridership is never high enough to warrant the energy expelled.
High Density and High Concentrations of Cars
Looking at Census data for urbanized areas and auto ownership, Randal O'Toole argues that denser areas have high rates of auto ownership per square mile, a correlation that is likely to increase congestion.
Randal O'Toole vs. the Livable Communities Act
O'Toole asks why, if there is such a demand for high-density, mixed-use housing, that the government needs to subsidize it?
Driverless Cars are the Solution, Says Randal O'Toole
Promoting his upcoming book on transportation planning, Randal O'Toole says his central argument is that rail is a dead end and driverless car technologies are the answer to our congestion problems.
How Do You Define Success?
When it comes to Houston's light rail, Randal O'Toole says you're doing it wrong. Planners are trumpeting high ridership numbers, but O'Toole says the numbers show an overall decline in Houston's transit ridership.
O'Toole Blames Planners for Housing Crisis
In a new report with the Cato Institute, Randal O'Toole takes off the gloves and lays the blame for the housing crisis squarely on urban planners.
Randal O'Toole Wants to Abolish the DOT
Barring that, he has some eight proposals for the transportation reauthorization bill, including eliminating long-range transportation planning and clean air mandates.
Randal O'Toole: The Man, The Contrarian
In the wake of his appearance on Capitol Hill, The New York Times delves into what makes Randal O'Toole tick.
The Blow-By-Blow at the Senate Banking Committee
The committee convened a hearing on Monday on green investments in public transportation, and Streetsblog got the scoop. It was 4 against 1 as witnesses sided against Randal O'Toole and his anti-transit arguments.
Taking On O'Toole
Ryan Avent at Streetsblog calls Randal O'Toole's anti-transit arguments "transparently foolish."
Randal O'Toole asks, Dude, Where's My Driverless Car?
For decades, people have been talking about how driverless cars would make highway traffic a thing of the past. Randal O'Toole asks, where are they?
Inside the Mind of the Anti-Planner
Next American City chats with Randal O'Toole -- the "Anti-Planner" -- about the problems of planning and what makes the ideal city.
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
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service