Infrastructure

Worker in yellow safety suit holding up orange SLOW sign on road

How Cities are Spending Safe Streets Funds

New federal grant programs are injecting millions of dollars into road safety projects in an effort to stem the alarming growth of traffic deaths on U.S. roads.

May 10, 2023 - Governing

A system map of the B Line shows the route and stops where the bus rapid transit route cuts across Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.

New Bus Rapid Transit Route Breaks Ground in the Twin Cities

The Twin Cities are on a mission to become the bus rapid transit capital of the United States. The latest improvement to advance that ambition broke ground earlier this week.

May 10, 2023 - Pioneer Press

An image taken from the point of view of a driver on a mostly empty freeway, with large overpasses overhead.

Missouri to Spend $2.8 Billion Widening I-70

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson had a $859 million vision to expand I-70 in key parts of the state. State legislators had an even more ambitious vision.

May 9, 2023 - The Kansas City Star

Close-up of pedestrian crossing button at a crosswalk in Los Angeles

Report: Racial Gap in Traffic Deaths Persists

Communities of color have significantly higher rates of traffic fatalities, according to federal research.

May 9, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

A bike rider navigates a bike lane in a traffic limited zone in Italy, where only one delivery van is visible on the street.

A Toolkit of Urban Vehicle Access Regulations to Improve Livability

You may have heard Paris is implementing traffic restrictions, but did you know that Paris is very late to the party? European cities, big and small, have been implementing measures to keep traffic from destroying urban quality of life for decades.

May 8, 2023 - World Transport Policy and Practice

Wheelchair ramp at outdoor train station

ADA Compliance Slowly Makes Headway

Decades of advocacy are paying off, but it often takes legal action to force cities to make accessibility improvements mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act over thirty years ago.

May 4, 2023 - Diana Ionescu

Two-lane asphalt road in Washington state with pine trees along sides and Mt. Rainier in background

Washington Road Safety Bills Fail to Advance

Several bills aimed at reducing traffic deaths fell by the wayside in the state legislature, despite the growing rate of road fatalities.

May 4, 2023 - The Urbanist

Elon Musk appears on stage in front of a backdrop of information about the Boring Company.

Las Vegas Doubles Down on Elon Musk and the Boring Co.

The Clark County Commission wants more Teslas in more tunnels.

May 4, 2023 - News 3

An Amtrak train waits at the Uptown Station in Normal, Illinois on its way from Chicago to St. Louis.

Chicago-St. Louis Corridor Trains Cleared for 110-mph Speeds

Amtrak has final federal approval for train speeds of 110 miles per hour between Joliet and Alton, culminating almost ten years of planning and investing.

May 4, 2023 - Amtrak

Pink light before morning dawn sun reflects on clouds over downtown Nashville TN

Tennessee Approves Toll Lanes as Part of Transportation Package

Despite decades of resistance to tolling highway lanes, the Tennessee legislature passed a bill that authorizes the creation of ‘choice lanes.’

May 2, 2023 - Governing

Ottawa

Ottawa’s New Transportation Master Plan Sets 20-Year Planning Priorities

Canada’s capital city recently completed the first step toward adopting a new Transportation Master Plan.

May 2, 2023 - City of Ottawa

Unpaved road through Owens Lake bed with Sierra Nevada mountains in the background

California Braces for Floods After Historic Winter Storms

Emerging from a years-long drought, the state now faces significant flood risks as temperatures rise and the abundant snowpack begins to melt.

May 1, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

A map of the area of Virginia near Occoquan, Virginia shows. stretch of Interstate 95 that will be widened.

I-95 Widening Breaks Ground in Virginia

A mile-and-a-half-long section of Interstate 95, which handles 80,000 vehicle trips a day, will be expanded in Virginia. The project includes a new shoulder, lighting, and noise walls.

May 1, 2023 - WTOP

Many people on bikes riding on city street during CicLAvia event in Pasadena, California

Los Angeles County to Update Bike Master Plan

The plan will serve as a guide for the development of safe and accessible bikeways and paths within unincorporated areas of L.A. County and along County flood control district channels.

April 30, 2023 - Los Angeles County Public Works

Blurry speeding cars on an urban road

U.S. Road Deaths Keep Rising

Traffic safety advocates urge cities and states to lower speed limits and improve pedestrian infrastructure to stem the growth in traffic deaths and injuries.

April 27, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Flooded street and two downed trees with downtown Houston buildings in background

Houston’s ‘Ike Dike’ Won’t Adequately Protect the City

The largest project ever undertaken by the Army Corps of Engineers may not be enough to protect Houston-area communities from flooding during the most severe hurricanes, according to the Corps’ own analysis.

April 27, 2023 - Grist

A rider on a Citibike on a bike lane in New York City

Bikes Are More Popular Than Ever in New York City, City Officials Say

Build safe infrastructure and people on bikes will come, according to New York City officials.

April 27, 2023 - New York City Department of Transportation

Parent and child walking, holding hands on mixed-use trail with trees

A Child’s Eye View of the City

A new VR tool invites urban planners to viscerally understand how a small child experiences the urban realm—with less-than-ideal results.

April 26, 2023 - Fast Company

Valley Metro Rail

Phoenix Planning First Bus Rapid Transit Route

The city of Phoenix is gathering public feedback on a proposed bus rapid transit route, the city’s first, on 35th Avenue and Van Buren Street.

April 25, 2023 - Daily Independent

A sign near Dupont Circle gives directions to Florida Avenue and Connecticut Avenue, which are both major roads in the city.

D.C. Rolls Back Connecticut Avenue Bike Lane Plan

After receiving complaints about parking loss and loading zone access, the city will consider revisions to a plan to make Connecticut Avenue safer for people on bikes, pedestrians, and transit users.

April 25, 2023 - The Washington Post

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

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Planning for Universal Design

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