Archive for the ‘urban’ Category

Both Roads and Transit

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

Rush-hour traffic at Sixth and Lamar, looking eastward Courtesy of the Austin Transportation Department

Rush-hour traffic at Sixth and Lamar, looking eastward Courtesy of the Austin Transportation Department

Both Roads and Transit

Counting on traffic fixes

BY KATHERINE GREGOR

“Reduce driver frustration.” While the city Transportation Department’s new Austin Mobility Program has other noble goals – faster commutes, economic vitality, improved air quality, climate remediation – the frustration factor strikes everybody. So over the past month, the relatively new department and its director, Rob Spillar, have begun rolling out a program to make Austin driving less of a headache. It includes three strands:

1) a Downtown circulation study;

2) a Strategic Mobility Plan, for which the city is seeking a consultant team; and

3) an Urban Rail Program, for which it’s already partnering with outside firms on the initial engineering, design, environmental work, and cost estimating required to prepare for a November 2010 transportation bond referendum.

Read more…

via Austin Chronicle

Chicago Looks to Public For Guidance on Future Transportation

Thursday, August 27th, 2009
CHICAGO METROPOLITAN AGENCY FOR PLANNING (CMAP)

CHICAGO METROPOLITAN AGENCY FOR PLANNING (CMAP)

21 August 2009 - 8:00am

Transportation officials in Chicago are enlisting the ideas of area residents as they attempt to draft a plan that will guide development and transportation in the region through 2040.

More than 4,000 people have responded to the survey, and officials say many have similar desires for the future of their regional transportation system.

“‘For me, that’s one of the more interesting things we’ve found,’ said Bob Dean, principal regional planner. ‘We are hearing very consistent results. It’s good for a regional plan like this.’

The majority of people want denser communities and greater protection of the environment and investment in transit, he said.”

Source: Chicago Tribune, August 20, 2009

Houston To Require Better Walkability Around Transit Stations

Thursday, August 27th, 2009
Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority

Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority

21 August 2009 - 6:00am

City officials in Houston have unanimously approved zoning and policy changes that will encourage walkable development around the city’s expanding light rail network.

Among other changes, sidewalks in transit areas will now have a minimum width of 6 feet, 2 feet wider than current standards.

“The council unanimously approved changes in development codes intended to promote dense, urban-style development along the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s Main Street rail line and five planned extensions. The pedestrian zone requirements and incentives were developed through more than three years of work by city officials, consultants, development experts and others.

…The measures take effect immediately.”

Source: The Houston Chronicle, August 20, 2009 via Planetizen