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Monthly archive for November, 2010
The World’s Ten Most Walkable Cities: 2010 Edition
Tuesday, November 30th, 2010
Frommer’s recently released a list of the world’s ten most walkable cities. These are the places “that remain a paradise for two feet,” writes the guide, which I suspect has prized the perspective of the traveler rather than of the Read more ›
The Morning Dig: Is L.A. Finally Embracing Mass Transit?
Tuesday, November 30th, 2010
• Long a car-obsessed city, Los Angeles is finally making a major push for mass transit with new light-rail projects and subway extensions. (NYT) • Ahead of the Olympics in 2016, the police and security forces in Rio de Janeiro Read more ›
California Congressman Undermines California Bullet Plans
Monday, November 29th, 2010
California’s high-speed rail plans are being jeopardized by a Congressman from … California. Republican Jerry Lewis (not that Jerry Lewis), ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, recently introduced legislation that would rescind $12 billion in unspent stimulus funds — Read more ›
The Morning Dig: Can the Grid Handle a Surge of Electric Cars?
Monday, November 29th, 2010
• The coming introduction of electric cars could pose a challenge for some utilities who may face much more demand for their electricity when the cars are charged every night by their owners. (AP) • Some businesses and cities which Read more ›
Pollution by Travel Mode: The Thanksgiving Edition
Wednesday, November 24th, 2010
In case you missed it yesterday, my colleague Daniel linked to this excellent graphic posted by Matthew Yglesias over at Think Progress. The image was created from a table in the “Vision for High-Speed Rail in America” plan originally presented Read more ›
The Morning Dig: Thanksgiving Travel In Full Swing
Wednesday, November 24th, 2010
• While a storm of controversy has swirled over airport screening, most Americans will be traveling by car this Thanksgiving break. (AP) • Related: The “On the Road” travel columnist Joe Sharkey has a good column with tips for holiday Read more ›
NYC to Bikers: ‘Don’t Be a Jerk’
Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010
The Wall Street Journal takes a long look at the not-so-peaceful coexistence of pedestrians, drivers, and bike riders on New York City streets. New York now has 482 miles of bike lanes, with plans for 1,800 miles to appear by Read more ›
The Morning Dig: What a Time-Lapsed Busy Subway Yard Looks Like
Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010
• The MTA recently put out a cool video (above) of trains leaving the Corona Subway Yard in the morning in New York City. • While some people believe that the “golden age of flying” was decades ago, experts actually Read more ›
New Poll: Nearly Two-Thirds Favor Banning Cell Phone Use While Driving
Monday, November 22nd, 2010
A national survey of 2,424 Americans conducted by Quinnipiac University earlier this month reports that 63 percent of respondents think a “national ban on using a cell phone while driving” is a good idea. More fun with numbers: 70 percent Read more ›
The Morning Dig: Rebellion Against the TSA Continues
Monday, November 22nd, 2010
• A useful blog post gathers up links to articles and op-eds about the T.S.A.’s strict screening and pat-down policy. (Politico) • With holiday traveling kicking into high gear this week, an article examines the higher prices and “more frustration” Read more ›
Metro America’s Commuting Methods: The Interactive Edition
Friday, November 19th, 2010
Did you know that Honolulu boasts one of the highest rates of people who carpool to work? No, Brookings Institute, I did not. But I do now, thanks to your wonderful interactive map of metropolitan America. The data were originally Read more ›
The Morning Dig: The Surprising Intersection Between Rap and Urban Planning
Friday, November 19th, 2010
• The architect Tuomas Toivonen has a side hobby in his rap music about urban planning and the modern architecture of cities. The video is above and an article is at this link. (WSJ) • With the hajj this week Read more ›
China Completes World’s Longest Bullet Line
Thursday, November 18th, 2010
As America continues its game of high-speed rail hot potato, China has quietly finished laying the tracks for the longest bullet line in the world. Spanning more than 800 miles, the line will link the Chinese capital of Beijing with Read more ›
The Morning Dig: Young Americans Dislike Cars, Worry Automakers
Thursday, November 18th, 2010
• One problem that automakers are facing is that many young Americans are showing less of a propensity to buy cars for themselves because they often live in cities and prefer public transport. (MSNBC.com) • In a tragic story, one Read more ›
Five Reasons Electric Cars May Catch On After All
Wednesday, November 17th, 2010
Yesterday we gave you five reasons electric cars will have trouble catching on. Today we stroll down the sunny side of the street and offer five ways they might make it after all. The time for electric cars has seemingly Read more ›
The Morning Dig: How to Cover (Fake) Transportation News
Wednesday, November 17th, 2010
Obama Replaces Costly High-Speed Rail Plan With High-Speed Bus Plan • The satirical newspaper The Onion put out a funny video (above) about “high-speed buses.” • An article argues for public-private partnerships to improve the nation’s infrastructure and help boost Read more ›
Five Reasons Electric Cars Will Have Trouble Catching On
Tuesday, November 16th, 2010
With the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf set to hit the streets very soon, and the Ford Focus Electric now scheduled to appear late next year, many people are asking whether Americans are ready to embrace electric cars. Some Read more ›
The Morning Dig: Stephen Colbert Tackles Airport Security
Tuesday, November 16th, 2010
The Colbert Report Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c TSA Full-Body Scanners – Jeffrey Goldberg www.colbertnation.com Colbert Report Full Episodes 2010 Election March to Keep Fear Alive • Air travelers and travel groups are becoming more vocal at what call Read more ›
New Report: U.S. Interstate Bullet System Achievable by 2050
Monday, November 15th, 2010
A short while back we told you about some advances being made in high-speed rail overseas. Little did we know the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) was preparing a slightly more comprehensive survey than our own. Last week the Read more ›
The Morning Dig: ’60 Minutes’ Reports on the U.S. Shale Gas Boom
Monday, November 15th, 2010
• Lesley Stahl has a great video report (above) examining the increasing production of shale natural gas in the U.S. • An article looks at the societal implications of more Americans living alone in apartments or houses. (Boston Globe) • Read more ›
