Posts by Matt Johnson — Editorial Board Alum
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More details could improve Metro’s trip planner itineraries
Programs like Metro’s trip planner can make riding transit easier for new riders and seasoned commuters alike. But the way that trips are shown has a huge impact on the effectiveness of the data. A few weekends ago, I needed to travel downtown for Transportation Camp. Since I don’t often make the trip, I decided to use Metro’s trip planner to see when I would need… Keep reading…
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Hear Human Transit’s Jarrett Walker in DC or Silver Spring
Building a successful and attractive transit system takes more than drawing lines on a map and buying snazzy vehicles. In addition to the many technical issues, one of the most important factors is values. Who is the system for, and why will they use it? International transportation consultant Jarrett Walker, who writes the blog Human Transit, has a new book by the same title about… Keep reading…
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Patterns in the Flickr pool
Here are our favorite new images from the Greater and Lesser Washington Flickr pool, showcasing the best and worst of the Washington region. Keep reading…
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Mirrored by the Flickr pool
Here are our favorite new images from the Greater and Lesser Washington Flickr pool, showcasing the best and worst of the Washington region. Keep reading…
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What if gas powered everything?
The disadvantages of relying on a carbon economy for transportation are well known, yet pushes to move to an alternative energy economy often face significant opposition. Nissan has a great ad out wondering what would happen if everything ran on gas. Keep reading…
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For the FBI, a suburban Metro station site is not ideal
The FBI’s home in downtown Washington is falling apart and not even able to house all central office employees. Keeping the headquarters on the same site doesn’t work well for the bureau or for DC. But building a new campus for at a suburban Metro stop is not the answer, either. The Washington Post’s editorial board argues for a Prince George’s station… Keep reading…
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Ask GGW: Why is Farragut Crossing longer on weekends?
Metro recently introduced an outdoor walking transfer between Farragut North and Farragut West. But on Saturdays and Sundays, riders have to walk an extra block to make the connection. Why? It’s only a block from the southern entrance of Farragut North to the eastern entrance of Farragut West. That’s one reason Metro added the free out-of-system transfer for SmarTrip… Keep reading…
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Montgomery Planning Board to hear recommendations about Capital Crescent Trail
As a part of the Purple Line, Montgomery County will fund upgrades to the Capital Crescent Trail between Bethesda and Silver Spring. Tomorrow, the Planning Board will hear recommendations from its transportation planning staff about several issues facing the trail. After hearing testimony, the Planning Board will send their recommendations to the County Council. The… Keep reading…
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Comic teaches new customers how to ride transit
San Francisco’s BART has created a great new comic book to help new riders learn to navigate the system. Could it work here? Keep reading…
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Blind adherence to codes leaves pedestrians out in the cold
Pedestrians at a Reading, Pennsylvania shopping center find out the hard way what happens when engineers let the rules supersede common sense. Keep reading…