Month: November 2009
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A Warning From America’s Cities: The Recession Has Only Just Begun to Hit
President Obama may be optimistic about continued U.S. economic growth as 2009 ends, but the reality on the ground in urban America — which an estimated two-thirds of the population calls home — is undeniably, disturbingly bleak. Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter (Photo: PennLive) That was the message delivered today by two economists and a bipartisan … Continued
November 19, 2009
‘This Needs Attention’: Senators Seek Shot in the Arm on Transportation
Senate environment committee chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and fellow
lawmakers yesterday pressed the Obama administration to take a more active
role in ending the current political stalemate over federal
transportation funding, but the sense of urgency they sought emerged
only intermittently during an 80-minute session on infrastructure.
November 19, 2009
Blaming the Pedestrian, Again
Despite the growing national attention to the dangers posed by
distracted driving, full accountability for drivers who kill or maim
pedestrians while fiddling with electronic devices is likely a long way
off. As today's post from Streetsblog Network member Sustainable Savannah notes, law enforcement officials too often seem to see things from the perspective of the person behind the windshield:
November 19, 2009
MTA: Market Street Pilot is Improving Conditions for Muni, Bicyclists
Since the MTA began diverting private automobiles off Market Street in late September, Muni riders and bicyclists have been experiencing the benefits first hand. Now, the MTA has confirmed what many Market Street users already suspected: Muni is running faster, and bicyclists now make up even more of the street's traffic.
November 18, 2009
Streetsblog Capitol Hill Q&A: Four Questions For Rob Puentes
America’s transportation and infrastructure policies affect literally everyone who moves from place to place in the country, but often they are under-discussed and over-simplified by the mainstream media. To help broaden the debate, Streetsblog Capitol Hill is kicking off a new Q&A series called “The Four Questions.” Robert Puentes, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution’s … Continued
November 18, 2009
Oil-Centric Houston to Experiment With (Coal-Powered) Electric Cars
Houston has long enjoyed its status as America’s oil capital, the type of city where the local Petroleum Club threw a $100,000 gala during a period of then-record high gas prices. But things are changing, thanks to a light rail system that is exceeding ridership predictions and encouraging pedestrian-friendly development. One of Houston’s new charging … Continued
November 18, 2009
San Francisco Starts Building Green Streets For Stormwater Management
Without question, Portland's Greenstreets program is the benchmark for American cities seeking to manage storm water and runoff from the street level before it enters the sanitation system pipes. Now, San Francisco is on its way to constructing its first on-street stormwater facilities in two places in the Bayview and Visitation Valley, pilots that should be instructive for the city going forward with the Better Streets Plan.
November 18, 2009
Guest Commentary: Transpo Advocates Should Support Hotel Workers
Transportation advocates were caught off-guard last month when the ANSWER Coalition and other leftist groups declared that extended parking meter hours represented an assault on the poor and working class, despite the overwhelming evidence that the poor and working class are predominantly more reliant on transit than cars for transportation. The absence of these organizations in earlier and ongoing struggles against Muni fare hikes and service cuts discredited their umbrage somewhat, but important questions remain: How in touch are local transportation advocates with communities of color, working families, and immigrants? And how can we reach out and improve our connections?
November 18, 2009
General Electric Inks High-Speed Rail Deal With Chinese Government
While President Obama grappled with
political concerns during his trip to China this week, General Electric
was busy signing technology-sharing agreements with Beijing partners --
including a high-speed rail pact that positions GE to leap ahead of its
competitors in the race for business from the Obama administration's
bullet train rollout.
November 18, 2009