Posts tagged Traffic
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Getting a ‘D’ grade is actually pretty good for highways
Listen to any discussion of highway congestion and you will inevitably hear about Level of Service (LOS), which assigns a letter grade to the congestion level of road segments. Letter grades start with ‘A’ for free flow and run down to ‘F’ for “failing” (congested) roads. Simple enough…except that it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Keep reading…
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National links: This LA-area school used kids to protest a subway project
A school in Beverly Hills has gotten into hot water for using students to protest a subway project. All those bankrupt Sears buildings leave a lot of empty space in malls across the US. While most of the town of Mexico Beach was wiped away, this one house was left standing mostly unscathed. Keep reading…
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Hogan’s road-widening plan would harm residents’ health — and the planet
In these hyper-partisan times, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan likes to position himself as a different kind of Republican, one who sees both sides of issues and unites political factions. Regarding roads and public transportation, this is a false portrait. Keep reading…
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To make ride-hailing work for urbanism, here’s what needs to happen
Ride-hailing services like Uber, Lyft, and Via have grown meteorically since launching just a few years ago. Meanwhile, transit ridership nationwide is declining, and some studies posit a direct connection. As a result, many transit supporters have sharply criticized these services. Some fears are warranted, but ride-hailing is also offering people a valuable transportation service. Keep reading…
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Despite new bike lanes, Reston will still have some big gaps
Fairfax County proposed new bike lanes for South Lakes Drive in Reston this spring. Now the county has the final plans for where they'll go. It's definitely an improvement, but the plan still has some pretty major disadvantages for both cyclists and drivers Keep reading…
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Why urbanists should be excited about the Caps going to the finals
Haven't you heard? The Washington Capitals are in the finals! Even if you aren't a hockey fan, you can still get excited about how sports can add value to urban public spaces. Keep reading…
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To cut down on traffic, DC may encourage sharing Ubers, Lyfts, and Vias
Ride-hailing services like Uber, Lyft, and Via are growing rapidly. They are actually two kinds of service: private cars and shared, with shared cars much better for traffic, sustainability, and roadway efficiency. Now, the DC Council has taken a positive step to encourage sharing, relative to riding alone, in the tax code. Keep reading…
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Most efforts to control traffic don’t work. Here are four things that do.
Whether it’s an apartment building, shopping center, or a mixed-use project, ostensibly well-intentioned residents regularly cite worsening traffic as the reason to stop new development. However, the most common methods communities push for to alleviate congestion make it worse, while the things that actually help usually face strong pushback. Keep reading…
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Events: Join us for happy hour and get involved across the region
Join GGWash for a happy hour on Thursday, hear the candidates for governor of Maryland, celebrate people working for walkable communities, learn what to do if you're involved in a bike crash, and more in events this week! Keep reading…
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National links: Old methods of reducing congestion won’t work with ride-hailing companies
Because of ride-hailing companies' unique model, some experts say congestion pricing won't help traffic — but a different tax will. Some MIT scientists think they can use blockchain and other technology to zone cities more optimally. Lots of companies don't want Google to win the self-driving car maps race. Keep reading…