News and media articles
US DOT Lahood's statement
Worth the read - from US DOT Secretary Lahood's blog (!):
To set this approach in motion, we have formulated key recommendations for state DOTs and communities:
Read more >
- Treat walking and bicycling as equals with other transportation modes.
- Ensure convenient access for people of all ages and abilities.
- Go beyond minimum design standards.
- Collect data on walking and biking trips.
- Set a mode share target for walking and bicycling.
- Protect sidewalks and shared-use paths the same way roadways are protected (for example, snow removal)
- Improve nonmotorized facilities during maintenance projects.
US DOT asks State DOTs to embrace bicycling & walking
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced a new federal policy that puts bicycling and pedestrian projects and planning on an equal footing with highways and transit in the use of federal funding. Read more >
Shrinking to Greatness
Ed Glaeser, the Harvard professor, explains what does it mean for cities to shrink. I find this article interesting since the twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul) have been shrinking for the past 50 years. The current foreclosure crisis and coming commercial collapse will make this a real decision process as our communities and neighborhoods need to decide what needs to stay and what needs to go.
Will right sizing help the Twin Cities as well? Read more >
Beyond The Motor City
Blueprint America: Beyond the Motor City examines how Detroit, a symbol of America’s diminishing status in the world, may come to represent the future of transportation and progress in America. Watch it here. Read more >
Central Corridor is a go, but will lawsuits stop it in its tracks?
Like it or not, the Central Corridor LRT line got the much needed federal push that it got last week from our president. Now that is seems to be moving forward will the three lawsuits tie up construction and the actually building of the line for years to come? The University of Minnesota, MPR, and Rondo residents all have three seperate lawsuits stating that Metropolitian Council has not taken their concerns, and mitigation, into account with the line.
Many feel that these lawsuits are the chance for at least two large institution to grab the mitigation funds which is leaving nothing left over to address the concerns of residents and small businesses. Should MPR and the U back off? Are we really going to delay the line because of these suits? What you think?
New precedent: walking and biking schools
A new elementary school in Canada requires its students to walk, bike, skate or scoot to school. The program addresses issues ranging from child obesity to traffic congestion.
Transportation facts: Minnesota
A snapshot of transportation-related facts for Minnesota, from Transportation for America > Read more >
On James Rojas and community engagement methods
On James Rojas, an LA transportation planner with an interesting approach to community planning ... Read more >
What the Twin Cities needs to pass
I read this over on Streetblogs and how imagine how great it would be to have this law in the Twin Cities. I for one would love to have indoor or at least secure covered parking be mandated by law even if it goes against my libertarian roots.
Enjoy
An engineering eye on European transportation
Fascinating observations, by a Minnesota professional traffic engineer, of transportation system and city characteristics of several countries in Central Europe (including Germany, France, and the Czech Republic). Includes discussion of roadway lane widths, rail network, and urban form.
Excerpted from the newsletter of the North Central Section of the US Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE).
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