Transportation Policy
Streetsblog Basics
Letters to David Brooks: Yes to Infrastructure, No to Highways
On Friday, Times columnist David Brooks joined the chorus calling for more transportation investment, which came as something of a surprise given his conservative pedigree. But Brooks has always had a soft spot for the exurbs, and his proposed "National Mobility Project" was predictably premised on the idea that transportation projects should accommodate sprawl:
November 3, 2008
Newt Gingrich: I Vant to Suck Your Oil
Before the financial meltdown severely undercut John McCain's presidential ambitions, his campaign was giddy over the apparent success of its energy policy message: Drill, baby, drill!
October 31, 2008
AIG Collapse Leaves Transit Agencies in the Lurch
Dozens of local transit agencies, already laboring to move more riders while costs go up, have a new financial hurdle to clear. The collapse of AIG threatens to force them to pay back bank deals ahead of schedule, and service cuts may follow. The Philly Inquirer explains:
October 29, 2008
No Takers for Contest to Make Fun of Walking, Biking, Transit
From the Competitive Enterprise Institute -- the Phillip Morris-Amoco-Texaco-Ford-funded activist "think tank" that brought you such informational videos as "Where's the Warming?" -- comes this attack on World Carfree Day.
October 27, 2008
The Case for Active Transportation, by the Numbers
Thanks to commenter Stephen for prodding us to post on the new report from the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, "Active Transportation for America" (download the PDF here).
October 24, 2008
Shaping the 2009 Transpo Debate: Rockefeller Foundation’s Nick Turner
American transportation policy has not fundamentally changed since gasoline cost a nickel a gallon and President Eisenhower started building out the Interstate highway system. Today, with gas prices through the roof, gridlock grinding our cities to a halt and many Americans feeling trapped in barely affordable, far-flung, exurban homes, it’s clear that our 1950’s-era transportation system is failing.
October 23, 2008
It’s Elementary: Kids Offer Livable Streets Advice to 44
As seen on this weekend's Uptown Treasures tour: At the American Academy of Arts and Letters in Washington Heights, K-5 students from Hamilton Heights Academy and P.S. 28 (along with at least one parent or guardian) added a livable streets flavor to the "If I Were President" display.
October 20, 2008
Report: American Cities Raring to Build $248B in Transit Projects
Funding needs for 400 transit
projects planned in 37 states. Graphic: Reconnecting America.
October 17, 2008
Nobelist Krugman Joins Call for Federal Transportation Spending
For decades, groups like Build for America have made a strong case that transportation spending has to increase. They have rightly warned that the U.S. transportation network is falling apart, with bridges failing and transit systems lagging behind international competitors. But wars, tax cuts and social priorities have stymied increased investment.
October 17, 2008