Trains

Amtrak Coast Starlight passenger train passing over bridge in Altamont Pass, California.

Amtrak Expanding Service in California’s Central Valley

Amtrak is planning a major expansion to the passenger rail lines connecting the Central Valley and the Bay Area.

November 4, 2024 - The Modesto Bee

New Jersey Transit passenger rail commuter train at station in Hoboken, New Jersey with platform 12 sign.

NJ Transit Struggles, Leaving Riders Stranded

The troubled agency has been canceling roughly 100 trains per week.

October 30, 2024 - Curbed

Red Amtrak Borealis train in St. Paul Union Station depot.

Amtrak Borealis Line Celebrates 100,000 Passengers

The St. Paul-to-Chicago train served more than 22,000 passengers in August.

October 28, 2024 - Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Silver and blue Amtrak train approaching an oncoming orange freight train at station in Seattle, Washington.

Opinion: Prioritize Amtrak, but Don’t Demonize Freight

A proposed bill would tighten enforcement of a 1973 law that gives passenger trains priority over freight shipments.

October 21, 2024 - Mass Transit

AMtrak train passing through dense green forest in Index, Washington.

Feds Open $1B Grant Round for Intercity Rail

The Federal Railroad Administration will award funding to projects aimed at improving and building new intercity rail connections.

October 11, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Rendering of aerial view of Las Vegas station for Brightline West high-speed rail line.

Brightline West Moves Forward With Finalized Federal Funding

The high-speed rail line will connect Southern California and Las Vegas via a two-hour trip along Interstate 15.

October 2, 2024 - News Nation

Skyline train on elevated rail in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Honolulu Skyline Train Enters Final Construction Phase

The third phase of the project will expand service to downtown Honolulu on the ‘nation’s first large-scale, publicly run automated metro system.’

September 23, 2024 - The Cool Down

Traffic on Interstate 45 with signs leading to Dallas and Galveston.

Texas High-Speed Rail Plan Calls for Eminent Domain

The proposed rail line would link Dallas and Houston via a 90-minute trip.

September 17, 2024 - Newsweek

Red and white Caltrain electric train at platform in San Jose, California.

Caltrain Introduces Electric Train Fleet

The Bay Area agency will switch to all electric trains by the end of September.

September 12, 2024 - FOX News

Texas Central

Texas High-Speed Rail Awarded $63.9M Federal Grant

In August, Amtrak received a $63.9 million grant from the FRA to continue its work to identify a high-speed rail corridor between Dallas and Houston.

September 3, 2024 - Texas Rail Advocates

White Shinkansen high-speed rail train passing through green fields with water and Mount Fuji in background in Japan.

The World’s 10 Fastest Trains

From Japan to Morocco to China, these passenger trains travel at speeds of up to 311 miles per hour.

August 14, 2024 - Jalopnik

Aerial view of Union Station train terminal front entrance in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Amtrak Gains Final Approvals for Return to the Gulf Coast

A vote by the Mobile city council secured three key agreements that will pave the way for bringing passenger rail service back to coastal regions east of New Orleans.

August 11, 2024 - AL.com

Elevated train in Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago Rail Extension Gains New Federal Funding

The Biden administration has committed over $700 million to the massive project which will bring rail to the Far South Side of the city.

August 7, 2024 - CBS News

Train passing through a snowy landscape.

Midwest Connect Train Project Moves Ahead

The proposed rail line would connect Chicago to Pittsburgh.

August 6, 2024 - Highland County Press

Aerial view of Wasco viaduct built for California HIgh-Speed Rail project.

50,000 California State Fairgoers Visit High-Speed Rail Exhibit

An interactive exhibit offered visitors a glimpse into the future rail system.

August 2, 2024 - Newsweek

Shinkansen high-speed rail train traveling across bridge with green trees on either side.

Will Texas High-Speed Rail Become a Reality?

A proposed Houston-to-Dallas rail line shows promise, but faces major hurdles before it can come to fruition.

July 25, 2024 - Houston Public Media

Passengers walking on platform at Boston train station with Amtrak train parked on track.

Proposed NYC-to-Boston HSR Would Cut Trip to Under Two Hours

The proposed project would use a mix of new and old rail lines and bypass some cities to speed up the trip.

July 19, 2024 - Gothamist

Amtrak Borealis train passing by green forest in Hastings, Minnesota.

New Chicago-to-St. Paul Amtrak Line Makes Profit in First Months

The Borealis line provided more than 18,500 rides since its first trips in May.

July 11, 2024 - Star Tribune

Facade of Newark Penn Station in Newark, New Jersey.

Gateway Tunnel Project Ready to Move Forward

The project is primarily funded through federal agencies and will improve a key link between New Jersey and New York City.

July 11, 2024 - NorthJersey.com

White and blue TriMet MAX light rail train on street in Portland, Oregon.

Portland Train Speed Limited by Extreme Heat

When temperatures hit 100 degrees, the city’s two train systems face challenges that force them to slow their speeds or stop operations altogether.

July 8, 2024 - KGW

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.