transportation

default blog post image

The Politics of Moving Towards a Multimodal Future: A Challenge for USDOT Secretary Nominee Anthony Foxx

By John Renne / On May 31st, 2013
When Ray LaHood was nominated by President Obama in December 2008, few transportation professionals knew much about the Republican Congressman from Illinois.  However, in just four and a half years, Secretary LaHood’s efforts in redirecting USDOT’s mission towards a multimodal transportation system should have an important role in moving America’s transportation system “Beyond Oil.” As discussed in our book, transportation in America has become ultra-politicized, with rail and transit becoming associated with a liberal agenda and highways connected with conservatives.
default blog post image

Imagination + Visualization = Approval?

By Darrin Nordahl / On June 1st, 2012
Austin’s streetcar proposal has been burning up the transit headlines recently, and for good reason. After years of planning, the first leg of the route has finally come into focus, ready for approval. But there is contention. Not so much with the route choice, but whether Austin needs a streetcar in the first place. As to be expected, most of the objection is coming from motorists; folks who simply cannot imagine themselves using transit. People—especially non-transit users—have a difficult time visualizing transit.
default blog post image

Now Coveted: A Walkable, Convenient Place

By Christopher B. Leinberger / On May 29th, 2012
Walking isn't just good for you. It has become an indicator of your socioeconomic status. Until the 1990s, exclusive suburban homes that were accessible only by car cost more, per square foot, than other kinds of American housing. Now, however, these suburbs have become overbuilt, and housing values have fallen. Today, the most valuable real estate lies in walkable urban locations.
default blog post image

A Few Minutes with Darrin Nordahl

By Jason Leppig / On May 8th, 2012
We had a few minutes with author Darrin Nordahl and asked him his thoughts on how to transform transit. Island Press: Why are Americans so obsessed with driving? Darrin Nordahl: Cars deliver a sense of freedom and thrill. The former may only be a perception, as traffic choked streets hardly make one feel liberated. But the thrill of driving is undeniably real.
default blog post image

Lessons from Los Angeles: Make Transit Hip

By Darrin Nordahl / On April 18th, 2012
There will be many accolades bestowed upon Los Angeles at this year’s American Planning Association conference. And no doubt many of them will be reserved for L.A.’s forward-thinking transportation policies; well deserved, since public transit generally lurks in the collective blind spot of Los Angelenos. But there is one strategy transit strategy that will likely get overlooked at the conference, and it is perhaps Los Angeles’ greatest feat.
default blog post image

Electric speed freaks

By Jay Inslee / On October 28th, 2009
When it comes to a love affair with a car, Americans want to know one thing – how fast can it go?
default blog post image

Peter Newman's Resilient Cities: The Sustainable Transport City

By Peter Newman / On March 12th, 2009
Cities, neighborhoods and regions will be designed to use energy sparingly by offering walkable, transit-oriented options for all supplemented by renewably-powered electric plug-in vehicles. Cities with more sustainable transport systems have reduced ecological footprint from their reduced fossil fuels and greater chance of enhancing their ecology through reduced urban sprawl and car-based infrastructure.

Pages