Photo by Mad African!: (Broken Sword) on Flickr.

New crosswalks in Lincoln Park

DDOT recently installed raised crosswalks with bright signs and pavement markings to ease pedestrian access to Lincoln Park.  This will undoubtedly ease the walk to the controversial CaBi station just off the northeast corner of the park. (TBD, Eric Fidler)  (Tip: Eric Fidler)  

Arlington police step up enforcement

On Monday, Arlington County Police were out ticketing drivers and pedestrians, as part of MWCOG’s Street Smart program. Yesterday the police cited 33 drivers for infractions from failing to yield to pedestrians to blocking the intersection. (TBD)  

A green street in PG

Edmonston, a small city in Prince George’s County, unveiled its rebuilt main drag yesterday. Decatur Street has been narrowed, had bike lanes added, and includes new trees, rain gardens to filter runoff, permeable sidewalks, and wind-powered lights. (Post, Geoff H.)  (Tip: Geoff H.)  

Arlington’s streetcar old and new

In late 19th century Arlington, a canal was replaced by a streetcar. This later became a bus, but could soon be replaced again by a modern streetcar. (ARLnow, Madison)  (Tip: Madison)  

Credit card payment at more Metro lots

WMATA will soon expand credit-card payment to more of its parking lots.  Currently, at most lots drivers must pay for parking with SmarTrip cards. (WMATA, Gavin)  (Tip: Eric Fidler)  

New LEED to incorporate transportation

The proposed new LEED standards will consider a building’s transit service frequency as well as its limit on parking.  This will make the “greenwashing” of sprawl more difficult. (Ped Shed, Eric Fidler)  (Tip: Eric Fidler)  

Free parking in Eugene not working as hoped

Five weeks after Eugene, Oregon removed the meters from its downtown area, businesses are saying that it’s not helping business, and the $500,000 in lost meter revenue probably should have gone to marketing their already free parking garage. (KEZI, Michael Perkins)  (Tip: Michael Perkins)  

Robocars by 2026 or not?

Tim Lee and Ryan Avent debate whether self-driving cars will become a reality by 2026. Lee says the technical challenges, while surmountable, will take a long time, and liability and regulation will create even bigger obstacles; Avent thinks the economic value will push progress and whatever legal changes are necessary.  

Regions and neighborhoods more important than cities?

One DC environmental writer dismisses the differences among separate jurisdictions in the same metropolitan area. Though environmental issues are regional, tax rates and the quality of schools depend on jurisdictional lines. (Sustainable Cities Collective, Eric Fidler)  (Tip: Eric Fidler)