transportation equity

Twin Peaks Drive

Economic Independence or Auto Dependency?

A new study calls for "universal auto access" to combat poverty. It recommends subsidizing auto ownership or access for those who are economically unable to afford the high cost of owning, maintaining, and operating a personal motor vehicle.

February 11, 2019 - CityLab

Los Angeles Harbor Freeway

If Road Pricing Is Inherently Unfair and Regressive...

Road pricing has its faults as a revenue measure, but it needs to be compared to ten elements of the current system of paying for transportation, including hidden subsidies, says Joe Cortright, an urban economist with Portland-based City Observatory.

February 4, 2019 - City Observatory

Highway 520

Road Pricing Equity Report and Toolkit

A new report and toolkit helps policymakers and equity advocates apply comprehensive analysis to road pricing, considering affordability, accessibility and community health, and identifies way to achieve equity goals through pricing reforms.

February 1, 2019 - Pricing Roads Advancing Equity

Muni San Francisco

San Francisco Bay Area Transit Fare Discount to Start This Fall

Low-income transit users desperately need a break on fares. A discount is on its way, but won’t be available until later in the year, and transit advocates say it’s not enough.

January 17, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

East Troy Railroad

Wisconsin Study Unpacks Transit Inequities

A new study finds that Wisconsin spends big on highways and urban transportation while rural areas face gaps in service.

November 21, 2018 - Urban Milwaukee

Transportation Ideals

Equity and Mobility: A Comic Treatment for Transportation Professionals

What does "equity" mean for transportation professionals? This is discussed in a 12-page comic published in the Canadian Institute of Transportation Engineers newsletter.

July 20, 2018 - Transportation Talk

Lincoln Limos

Transportation Network Companies Increase Mobility for Underserved Communities

A recent op-ed posted here warned against new transportation technologies and instead encouraged cities to invest in public transit and walkable communities. However, transportation network companies claim to have increased transportation equity.

August 12, 2016 - The American Prospect

Rural Bus

California's Rural Communities Want Transit, Too

Parts of California’s rural, working-class Central Valley see virtually no transportation investment, leaving many residents stranded in the heat.

July 22, 2016 - KCET Departures

Toronto GO Transit

Towards a More Equitable Transit Future

"Next Stop Equity" evaluates the fairness of public transit service allocation and pricing in the Toronto, Canada region, and recommends policy reforms to better achieve social equity objectives.

February 18, 2016 - York University

Both Ways

Transportation Planners and Reformers: Rethink Your Terms

Remember the term "transportation alternatives," as in alternatives to motor vehicle transportation? It's not used much anymore, and for good reason. But more modern terms, e.g. road diet, need to be rethought as well, posits Nate Holmes for Medium.

December 2, 2015 - Medium

Bus Stop Winter

People Still Want Buses, But Buses Aren't Delivering

Urban light rail has enjoyed a renaissance since the Great Recession, but during the same period cities have quietly reduced bus service. Daniel Hertz argues that while rail is commendable, buses remain a vital transit component.

June 8, 2015 - City Observatory City Commentary

Stop Sign Intersection

On the Benefits of Traffic Signal Removal

Certain intersections stand to gain from losing their traffic lights. According to this study, cities can save money and improve safety by uninstalling signals in low-traffic zones.

May 7, 2015 - CityLab

To Beat The Backlash, Expand The Bike Network, Say Planners

Bike lanes have become one of the most controversial topics in all of New York City. For cycling to take hold, the city needs to make sure all groups have equal access to cycling, say a team of Hunter College grad students.

May 17, 2011 - Streetsblog

To Stay Connected to Jobs, New Yorkers Need Better Bus Service

The new jobs in New York City aren't in Manhattan, but in the boroughs. For low-income workers to be able to access those opportunities, improved bus service will be necessary, says a new report.

February 28, 2011 - Streetsblog

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.