The Hub 6/8/18: Clean Air Council’s Weekly Round-Up of Transportation News

“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up to date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.

 

Philly.com: Work to begin on Schuylkill Expressway improvements – In case you need another reason to use sustainable transportation, construction on I-76 between King of Prussia and Philadelphia is set to begin later this month. SEPTA is increasing service on the Manayunk/Norristown line to help alleviate the expected increased congestion.

 

Mobility Lab: The most hostile infrastructure? Suburban roads – Suburban infrastructure is designed to move cars, often resulting in a dangerous environment for other road users. Arterial roads built for speed, winding series of cul-de-sacs, and expansive parking lots create an environment that discourages walking and other non-driving modes of transportation.

 

CityLab: Parking Is Sexy Now. Thank Donald Shoup. – Donald Shoup, the author of the 2005 book The High Cost of Free Parking, has brought parking to the forefront of many urbanists minds. He discusses how requiring parking drives up housing and transportation costs, as well as encourages people to drive alone.

 

Next City: Pop-Up Block Party Closes Part of Major Denver Interchange to Imagine Safer, More Connected City – A street festival in Denver that shut down part a dangerous cloverleaf illustrates how the space dedicated for cars could be used in any number of more equitable ways. Local residents are advocating for changes to the land occupied by the interchange, including a community center. Colorado Department of Transportation says they are open to the idea, and are beginning by implementing raised sidewalks and speed humps.