Streetcars

22 Cities on the Streetcar Bandwagon

This article looks at the growing popularity of streetcars in American cities, and highlights 22 cities that are planning to have new streetcar lines within the next two years.

May 5, 2010 - Scientific American

Streetcar Suburbs May Not Actually Support Streetcars

Yonah Freemark suggests that the original streetcar suburbs were actually not dense enough to continue supporting streetcars back in the day.

April 20, 2010 - Next American City

Overhead Wires Cloud Future of D.C. Streetcar and Reputation

Washington D.C. is moving forward with plans to construct streetcars in the city, but a law more than 100 years old banning overhead wires is threatening the progress of those plans.

April 20, 2010 - The Washington Post

Transportation Frustration in Toronto

Toronto transit activists are frustrated that funding for planned streetcars is being rerouted, and are preparing a "Save Transit City" campaign.

April 18, 2010 - The National Post

Streetcar Coming to Detroit, But Locals Call for Broader BRT

Funding seems locked for a planned streetcar line in Detroit, but some locals argue that what the metro region really needs is a wider-reaching bus rapid transit system. The Transport Politic profiles the proposals.

April 15, 2010 - the transport politic

Salt Lake Suburb Pins Hopes On Downtown Revival

South Salt Lake is seeking to revive itself economically by creating a downtown entertainment district connected by a streetcar.

April 14, 2010 - The Salt-Lake Tribune

22 U.S. Cities Planning New Streetcars

Changes in USDOT and FTA policies help fund streetcar lines, making them more attractive to cities across the US.

April 9, 2010 - New Urban News

Preservationists Concerned About Visual Blight from Streetcars

Portland has them. So does Charlotte. But in the nation's capital, streetcar overhead wires are under fire from historic preservationists.

April 6, 2010 - Washington Post

AARP Asks: Is A Streetcar Coming To Your City?

AARP takes a comprehensive looks at streetcars, exploring their past demise, comeback, and now spreading to as many as 40 cities. Special attention is given to the Portland Streetcar and how the streetcar enables better mobility for seniors.

April 6, 2010 - AARP Bulletin Today

Fort Worth Streetcar Project In Jeopardy

In this editorial, blogger Kevin Buchanan argues that a Fort Worth streetcar is being delayed by political forces and should move forward for the benefit of the community.

April 1, 2010 - Fortworthology

Rail Plans Move Forward in Philadelphia

Plans to create a waterfront rail line in Philadelphia are moving forward, as the city approves funding for environmental studies and early design work.

February 19, 2010 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Dallas Streetcar is 1 of 51 Projects to Receive Federal Funding

DOT Secretary Ray LaHood announced $1.5 billion in transportation grants this morning, including $23 million towards a streetcar project in Dallas.

February 17, 2010 - The Dallas Morning News

Streetcars Return to Vancouver

Vancouver, B.C. will launch its first new streetcar in 65 years next month. TheTransitFan got a sneak preview.

December 17, 2009 - re:place Magazine

Streetcars: Old is New Again in Rockford

Rockford, Illinois used to have a system of streetcars, interurban rail and long-distance passenger trains like many cities. Planners now say the time is right to consider rebuilding.

December 14, 2009 - Rockford Register Star

Mixing It Up at RailVolution

BOSTON -- If you've ever studied the bar menu at Trader Vic's then you know about such wonders as Tropical Passion, Moku Nani, and the Potted Parrot. Each is made of a unique but secret blend of dark rum, light rum, spiced rum, tropical juices, and of course "subtle flavorings."  But by the time you'd realize that the only real difference is the glass they come in, you're too probably drunk to notice--or care. Minus the palm fronds, the RailVolution conference is much the same.  

October 31, 2009 - Josh Stephens

REVIEW: My Kind of Transit: Rethinking Public Transportation in America

Far from a boring treatise on the need for public transit, My Kind of Transit is an appeal on behalf of the emotional factors that make most transit repulsive and a select few forms enjoyable and uplifting.

October 5, 2009 - Tim Halbur

Oklahoma City Releases Broad New Plan

A broad new plan has been unveiled in Oklahoma City. Included in the plan is a new 70-acre downtown park and a raft of transit improvements.

September 22, 2009 - The Oklahoman

Light Rail Expands in Toronto

New light rail projects are taking off in the Toronto area. A new 15km line will be operational by 2013, but the city is still trying to raise funds to replace its aging streetcar stock.

May 18, 2009 - The Toronto Star

Streetcars and Commuter Rail Get Official in Fort Worth

A streetcar system and commuter rail line are now officially part of a regional plan for the Fort Worth area.

April 13, 2009 - Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Why the Streetcar Beat Out "Green Lines"

Matt Fikse calls attention to a Seattle transit plan, which has few drawbacks but has been left to die by officials. Why the streetcar beat out the Rapid Trolley Network.

March 26, 2009 - Crosscut

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.

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