Transportation Spending
SPECIAL REPORT: A Lobbying Free-For-All
Thousands of special interest groups are competing to influence the new transportation bill. Reporter Matthew Lewis sheds light on the most significant players, in an extensive report from the Center for Public Integrity.
AASHTO Picks Top 10 Transportation Projects
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials has selected finalists in its 2009 America's Transportation Awards competition. Projects range from lane-widening in Delaware to HOT lanes in Miami.
Would High-Speed Rail from Dallas to Houston Make Sense?
Edward Glaeser continues his series on cost-benefit analysis of high-speed rail in the US, imagining a mythical route between Dallas and Houston.
LaHood on the Stimulus Package
Speaking today at the Center for National Policy in D.C., Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood touted the success of the ARRA stimulus package and answered questions on transportation bill reauthorization and other topics.
Increase Funding or Raise Taxes?
Transit advocates may be louder than highway backers for the first time in discussions about the next authorization bill, but highway supporters warn less highway funding means less gasoline taxes.
2,000 Transportation Projects
That's how many projects the Obama administration claims to have launched with the stimulus money, countering detractors who argued that the funding couldn't be spent fast enough to have an impact.
Colorado Stimulus Projects Steer Clear of Sprawl
Despite some states using stimulus money to fund sprawl-inducing projects, Colorado seems to be avoiding projects that encourage exurban growth, according to this review.
Roads On Sale
As business slows down, road construction contractors are slashing their prices. They're offering lower bids to states across the country for road work, leading many transportation officials to foresee more work able to be funded by the stimulus.
How States are Divvying Up the Transportation Money
This article provides a general breakdown of how state governments plan to use the first installment of transportation spending money from the stimulus. The leeway states have in how to spend has sparked debates among legislators.
Obama Eyes Infrastructure Bank
In a recent interview with newspaper columnists, President Barack Obama spent some time discussing the idea of a national infrastructure bank and the chances of one taking shape.
Without Funding, State Transportation Projects Stall
Thousands of transportation projects across the country are being temporarily halted or canceled completely due to lack of funding. More than 40 states have been forced to cut back on transportation projects.
Mobility Infrastructure: A Better Stimulus Package
Stimulus packages are nothing more than an "economic sugar rush", according to columnist David Brooks. He argues that the country needs to create a larger-scale transportation-based infrastructure project to really bail out the economy.
141 Miles of Rail for Raleigh-Durham Triangle
A feasibility study released last week shows that a 141 mile transit system could be built on existing right-of-ways in the Triangle for $1 billion, a fraction of the proposed budget for transit in the region through 2035.
Is L.A. Willing To Pay For Safe Trains?
Although it is a public transit success, Metrolink was cobbled together with old freight rail lines. It was a relatively cheap and quick way of providing rail service, but its drawbacks have become obvious.
Congress Considering More Funding for Public Transportation
New funds have already been allocated to public transit agencies, but unexpected increases in ridership have called for even more. The funds come as part of a new energy bill intended to reduce foreign oil dependence.
A Snapshot of Cycling in Upstate New York
An Albany newspaper takes a look at cycling in the Capital District: cycling is up, and advocacy groups are working to take advantage of it.
Pittsburgh Takes Steps Toward Bike-Friendliness
Pittsburgh becomes first city in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to hire a full-time bike/pedestrian coordinator.
Americans Reduce Their Driving by 3.7% in May, Transportation Funds Plummet
At a time when highway infrastructure is already facing challenges such as the rising costs of concrete and steel, a change in driving habits is causing a major reduction in available funds.
Would Starbucks and Designer Interiors Get You to Ride Transit?
Toronto's Metrolink brings together city and transportation planners to brainstorm the transit of the future.
Riding Amtrak Across the U.S.
GOOD Magazine sends a reporter across country on Amtrak to give a riders-eye view of the system.
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
