Almost 50 years ago, streetcars in Washington, D.C. stopped running and most of their tracks were removed. Now they’re back and ready for a revival, with parts of the first two lines slated to open next spring. In this post, we talk to Dan…
What Makes Cities Smart & “10 Smartest Cities on the Planet”
TIME recently featured a video of top U.S. mayors discussing what makes cities smart. If you watch it, you’ll noticed that high-speed rail seems to be a big part of that these days. Interestingly, Fast Company recently had a post…
EcoLocalizer Link Drop
New Transit Projects for 2011 A comprehensive list of transit projects scheduled to start construction or open in 2011. “Streetcar lines dominate the nation’s new transit construction landscape, but this year only light and commuter rail lines will open for…
How Much is Bicycling Worth to the Economy? $1.5 Billion/Year in Wisconsin
We’re bicycling fans here on Ecolocalizer. Have you noticed? Why? Because it’s good for everything: our health, the livability of cities, the efficiency of our cities, equitable access to key needs, and the economy. Here’s more on that last part,…
Light Rail & Streetcars Becoming More Popular, Transforming Cities
In my graduate studies in city and regional planning, one thing became very obvious to me: cities, by definition and at their best, are densely-populated places. However, with the rapid rise of automobile use, North American cities have been on…
NYC Doctors Ask for Better Bike Infrastructure
What are the biggest benefits of bicycling? Of course, there are the environmental benefits and the fact that bicycling is many times cheaper than driving or even riding transit. One more obvious benefit, however, is that it is great for…
Ecolocalizer Link Drop
Here’s our weekly link drop. Hope you enjoy it. New Report: U.S. States Failing at Reducing Transportation Emissions The Natural Resources Defense Council and Smart Growth America released a report, “Getting Back on Track: Aligning State Transportation Policy with Climate Change Goals,”…
High-Speed Trains in Russia and Turkey
Turkey got its first high-speed trains back in November 2007. It’s state railway company (TCDD) was the 8th in the world to operate high-speed trains (and the 6th in Europe). News now is that the country has just started testing…
Does California Need Oil or Water More?
Getting oil out of the ground requires water. And as oil supplies are depleted, this process requires more and more water. It turns out that nowadays oil companies are using a TON of water,.. (to access precious oil for our…
Ecolocalizer Link Drop: America’s Best & Worst Commutes, Kansas Getting New Coal Plant, How to Win the Race for Jobs
Weekly news roundup from other sites. TheStreet and Bundle Special Report: America’s Best and Worst Commutes Whether you live in a city, the suburbs or farm country, commuting by car to and from work can be an unavoidable expense. Beyond…