A recent report by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) highlights transportation inequities in the greater Chicago area. Big-picture findings support the region’s comprehensive plan, but the near-term recommendations focus on changes in transportation-related fees, fines, and fares—a small but important share of overall transportation costs.
Keeping roads and bridges intact requires widespread support
One out of every five miles of road in the U.S. is in poor condition and less than half are rated as “good,” and their condition is just getting worse. Transportation agencies in some states have committed to turning things around by prioritizing maintenance in their spending plans.
Room for improvement in assessing equity in regional TIPs
Many Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) have placed a greater emphasis on equity in their regional planning over the past few years, but that emphasis doesn’t always translate to direct changes at the project level. Transportation Research Record examined how well MPOs serving the 40 largest metro areas in the U.S. incorporate equity criteria in project prioritization decisions for their Transportation Improvement Programs (TIPs) and recommend a broader shift in how MPOs approach equity in project prioritization to reframe transportation inequities in terms of injustices.
Speed limit standards are an essential step toward safer streets
New considerations for setting speed limits have the potential to shift the practice away from the historic norm of service to drivers, and toward the safety and accommodation of all users.
Minnesota and California move toward reducing VMT to address climate change
Transportation agencies in California and Minnesota made major advancements, planning for VMT reductions and mitigations as a part of their sustainability and climate change plans.
Modeling pedestrian trips is becoming more practical
With new technology, we can better analyze pedestrian movement, offering insights into disability access, project selection, and more.
Do telecommuters really travel fewer miles?
Despite frequent claims to the contrary, a study from California demonstrates that telecommuters often drive more often, and for longer distances, than those who commute to work.
A marketing trick to support safe speeds
Using the “left digit effect,” a group of researchers slowed drivers’ speeds with a simple change on speed limit signs.
Buffalo has reshaped mixed-use development by eliminating parking requirements
After eliminating its minimum parking requirements in 2017, the city of Buffalo, New York, has seen a notable drop in the growth of new parking, driven mostly by changes in mixed-use developments.
Providing transit passes to high school students boosts attendance rates, transit ridership
When Minneapolis offered free public transit passes to eligible students, schools saw a reduction in absences. Students who saw the largest impact on their attendance records? Those within a 2 mile walk of the school who were eligible because of their free or reduced lunch status.