Boston
Basics
Charlie Baker’s Transit Policy Isn’t About What’s Best for Boston — It’s About His Image
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has carefully cultivated the image of a business-minded Republican intent on running government more efficiently. But when it comes to transit, Baker's spending priorities are not consistent with his pragmatic persona.
March 7, 2017
Coming Soon to Boston’s Massive Parking Crater: More Subsidized Parking
Quick -- what should a city do to improve access to a rapidly developing area near a BRT station? In Boston, officials have settled on an expensive plan to subsidize driving and traffic.
March 6, 2017
How Engineering Standards for Cars Endanger People Crossing the Street
At the Landmark Interchange by Fenway Park in Boston, people trying to walk across the street sometimes have to wait as long as two minutes for a signal. And that, says Northeastern University Civil Engineering Professor Peter Furth, is dangerous.
March 3, 2017
Boston Identified Its Most Dangerous, Degrading Bus Stops. Now What?
The MBTA is evaluating all 7,600 of its bus stops for safety and accessibility, and it will either improve or eliminate 200 of the worst ones.
February 8, 2017
Boston Has Yet to Deliver on Big Promises to Eliminate Traffic Deaths
Local advocates say the lack of action to fix dangerous Beacon Street is emblematic of Walsh's timid approach to the problem.
January 20, 2017
What the Heck Is Wrong With Boston’s MBTA?
Last week, the engine on one of Boston's Orange Line trains overheated and ignited some trash, filling traincars with smoke. Passengers broke windows to escape. Three people were hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
November 4, 2016
How American Cities Can Protect Cyclists From Deadly Trucks
Heavy trucks kill. They account for as much as 32 percent of cyclist deaths in New York City and 58 percent in London, far out of proportion to their share of traffic. Across the U.S., 1,746 bicyclists and pedestrians have been killed in collisions with commercial trucks over the last five years.
October 25, 2016
Boston Wants to Lower Its Speed Limit to 20 MPH — But Can’t
Twenty is plenty in Boston, according to its elected officials. The City Council voted unanimously this week to lower the default speed limit on most residential streets to 20 mph -- and not for the first time.
April 29, 2016
What Went Wrong With Boston’s Green Line Extension?
Last week, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority abruptly cut ties with four contractors working on the 4.7-mile Green Line extension to Somerville and Medford, outside Boston. The announcement came shortly after reports that the cost of the light rail project had ballooned to about $3 billion, an increase of a billion dollars.
December 14, 2015
Tactical Urbanism Win: Cyclist Protects Boston Bike Lane With Flowers
Even the most delicate barrier between bikes and auto traffic can change the behavior of drivers and make cycling a lot more appealing. Case in point: An ingenious bit of tactical urbanism in Boston this week resulted in a bike lane protected by $6 pots of hardware store mums.
September 11, 2015