Washington DC
Basics
Are Dense Urban Neighborhoods More Resilient During Natural Disasters?
As the country watches Hurricane Isaac’s massive spiral head straight for the Gulf Coast, we are all experiencing post-traumatic symptoms of Katrina, which, seven years ago today, was heading for the same target. But I’m also remembering a severe weather event that hit closer to home (for me) somewhat more recently: Snowpocalypse, followed by Snowmageddon, followed by Snoverkill. The three storms hit DC during the winter of 2009-2010, dumping a combined 55 to 72 inches of snow on the area (depending which airport you measure from).
August 28, 2012
“Transformative” Bike Projects Win Big in Fourth Round of TIGER Grants
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood just announced the 47 transportation projects in 34 states (and DC) that will receive a total of almost $500 million from the TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) program. It's the fourth round of TIGER grants, bringing the total up to over $3 billion for innovative transportation projects.
June 22, 2012
Audio: Chris Wallace Caught Doing Interview via Cell Phone While Driving
Last Thursday, Fox News commentator Chris Wallace was interrupted in the middle of a radio interview with KFTK, a St. Louis talk radio station, when one of D.C.’s finest gave him some fair and balanced treatment for driving while using a handheld cell phone -- a practice banned by the District of Columbia in 2004.
June 18, 2012
$10,000 Extra? The Transportation Tab for Sprawling ‘Hoods in 20 Metros
$10,860 in New York City. $5,694 in St. Louis. $4,199 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
June 6, 2012
Portland Back on Top in Bicycling Magazine’s City Rankings
Minneapolis versus Portland: This is shaping up to be quite a rivalry.
May 21, 2012
Capital Bikeshare Nearly Operationally Profitable
A recent US News and World Report article explored the economics of bike sharing -- noting that cities weren't profiting from their new systems.
April 20, 2012
Bikes Belong Selects Six Cities to Fast Track Protected Bike Lanes
The Bikes Belong Foundation has chosen six cities to fast track physically protected bikeway designs that make cycling safer and more accessible to a wide range of people.
April 4, 2012
This Week: Road Builders and Bike Advocates Convene in the Capital
The House of Representatives is back in town, and its members still don't have a transportation bill. In fact, they probably won't have one for weeks. But two groups holding conferences in Washington this week would be more than happy to help them out in the meantime.
March 19, 2012
Despite December Agreement, DC Streetcar Won’t “Buy America” After All
Back in December, Clackamas, Oregon-based United Streetcar won an $8.7 million contract to build two vehicles for Washington, DC’s streetcar system, currently under construction. The timing could not have been better for House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Nick Rahall, who had just introduced legislation to tighten “Buy America” requirements on future transportation investments. Rahall had even invited United Streetcar’s president, Chandra Brown, to speak at the press conference, to demonstrate how Buy America can benefit and revive the domestic rolling stock manufacturing industry.
January 12, 2012
Streetsies 2011: The Local Edition
Yesterday, we started our year-end 2011 round-up. We lamented transit cuts in places where transit is more important than ever, cheered the successful ballot initiatives that will fund transportation lifelines, took a moment to explore the nuances of some difficult issues, and called out Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin for some hare-brained ideas about the best way to spend money.
December 29, 2011