Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In

Here's a snapshot of what's happening around the Streetsblog Network today:

Evidence That Bus Rapid Transit Boosts Development: What is the impact of bus rapid transit on the value of surrounding land? Can BRT help boost development like rail transportation does? David Levinson at Streets.mn offers a review of the research. In some parts of the world, high-quality bus-rapid-transit systems have been shown to increase property values as much as 25 percent. Some other studies have shown that prices tend to drop off rather quickly as walking distance from the transit service decreases. Levinson concludes that the important thing isn't the mode of transportation, it's convenience. "A transportation system that adds to accessibility in a significant way warrants a premium in the prices people are willing to pay to take advantage of it," he says. (Streetsblog Chicago shared preliminary research on this same topic from the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy earlier this week.)

false

When Congestion Becomes a Problem for Subway Riders: Oh, the resources devoted to battling congestion around the United States. If only transit crowding invoked the same sense of urgency, writes Stephen Crim at Greater Greater Washington. Crim, like a growing number of people in the DC region, mostly leaves his car at home, and he's noticing an uptick in crowded Metro platforms and lengthy queues on protected bike lanes.

All those train and bike trips are good news for the efficiency of the transportation network. But Crim says we should also talk about congestion from a multi-modal perspective. "[W]e must expand our horizons, and work to relieve congestion across all modes in the transportation network," he writes. "If we do this, we can improve the commutes of the many individuals who, either by choice or by force of circumstances, do not drive."

Ambitious Trail Plans Indianapolis: The city of Indianapolis is planning a comprehensive system of trails and greenways that will connect the city's downtown with outer neighborhoods and outer neighborhoods with each other. The plan is the work of the Indy Greenways Foundation, which has been working on developing active connections between urban neighborhoods in the city for 22 years. "It’s a comprehensive," said Urban Indy blogger Scott Russell of the organization's new master plan, "and there is a LOT to get excited about."

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Climate Change Is Making Waiting For Transit Worse — And It’s Hurting Ridership

Transit isn't only a key solution to confronting climate change; it's also one of its victims.

March 12, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines Are About Elon-ed Out

While President Trump tries to pump up Tesla stock prices, Elon Musk wants to privatize Amtrak.

March 12, 2025

How Highways Rend Our Social Fabric — and the Challenge of Mending It

Roads are supposed to connect us. So why do so many highways tear our social networks apart?

March 11, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines Walk the Line

Pedestrian deaths were trending slightly downward at the midway point of last year, but the trend over the past decade is still terrifying.

March 11, 2025

Massachusetts Lawmakers Are Still Spending Millions to Subsidize Elon Musk’s Car Company

In the three months between Election Day and February 5th (the last date for which data is currently available), Massachusetts taxpayers have sent $8.6 million in direct payments to buyers at Tesla dealerships.

March 10, 2025
See all posts