Photo by Kingdafy.

MBTA releases bus location feeds

The Massachusetts MBTA is continuing their full-speed pro-developer activities with some beta real-time bus location feeds for 5 bus lines. They reserve the right to remove or change the feed but the license demands no indemnification. (@joooe via @perkinsms)  

UK may mandate open transit data

The Web’s inventor, Tim Berners-Lee, is now UK information tsar, and plans to recommend a nationwide policy to make all transit schedules, government mapping data, traffic and road crash data nationwide available without a fee. Many transit agencies there have sued to shut down tools like iPhone applications, as some US agencies have done. This policy would be even more significant in the UK because, unlike in the US, data generated by national government agencies is subject to copyright. (Telegraph)  

Post’s Halsey cares what cyclists think

Ashley Halsey’s latest article reviews the 15th Street bike lane, and unlike most other press articles, interviews a number of cyclists who might use the new path. Another cyclist notes that Rock Creek Parkway is “not a park” and not a pleasant route for cycling. DDOT is also considering similar lanes for L and M Streets. USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood even twittered about the article. (Post)  

“Temporary urbanism”

The DC Office of Planning has been promoting temporary uses for vacant buildings, like tennis, a trapeze school, and Artomatic. The WBJ story requires a subscription, but The Triangle summarizes the main points and notes that Portland has led in this area with food carts at the edge of many surface parking lots.  

Arlington approves parking plan

The Arlington Board has adopted new parking policies. It doesn’t look like they took any of Michael Perkins’ suggestions, but there are lots of great changes in the approved plan.  

No trees, no town center for UMD

The University of Maryland wants to bulldoze part of their forested hillock to store equipment sheds despite their sustainability pledges. They’ve also canceled (for now) plans to build the mixed-use East Campus development. (Robert McCartney)  

Plastic = higher taxi tips

NYC cab drivers vehemently protested credit card machines, saying the 5% transaction fee would eat into their profits, but it turns out they make more money because riders tip more with cards, partly because it’s easier and partly because the machines suggest high tips. (Ryan Sager, Steve S)  (Tip: Steve S)