New York City greenlights congestion pricing – here’s how this toll plan is expected to improve traffic, air quality and public transit

One more reason not to drive into midtown Manhattan: Soon it will cost an extra $15 as New York City launches its long-debated congestion pricing system.

John Rennie Short, Professor Emeritus of Public Policy, University of Maryland, Baltimore County • conversation
April 10, 2024 ~9 min

To reclaim downtowns from traffic, require developers to offer strategies for cutting car use

US cities are starting to reform laws that required developers to provide minimum amounts of parking. But there’s more they can do to loosen the auto’s grip on downtowns.

Chris McCahill, Managing Director, State Smart Transportation Initiative, University of Wisconsin-Madison • conversation
July 26, 2023 ~9 min


Bridge collapses, road repairs, evacuations: How transportation agencies plan for large-scale traffic disruptions

When a major roadway or bridge needs fixing, all that traffic has to go somewhere.

Lee D. Han, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee • conversation
June 29, 2023 ~9 min

Why the humble city bus is the key to improving US public transit

High-quality bus service is the fastest route to rapid, comprehensive public transit in the United States. This country was once a leader in bus transit, and with adequate funding, it could be again.

Nicholas Dagen Bloom, Professor of Urban Policy and Planning, Hunter College • conversation
March 2, 2023 ~9 min

A journey from work to home is about more than just getting there – the psychological benefits of commuting that remote work doesn't provide

It turns out that there are some benefits to all the time we spend commuting.

Kristie McAlpine, Assistant Professor of Management, Rutgers University • conversation
Feb. 2, 2023 ~6 min

Driverless cars won't be good for the environment if they lead to more auto use

Studies show that when people can ride in a car without having to operate it, they increase their car use. That could increase traffic and pollution, unless government puts a price on car travel.

Scott Hardman, Professional Researcher, Plug-in Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Research Center, University of California, Davis • conversation
Jan. 28, 2022 ~10 min

As urban life resumes, can US cities avert gridlock?

The pandemic offered a tantalizing look at city life with fewer cars in the picture. But with traffic rebounding, there's limited time to lock in policies that make streets more people-friendly.

John Rennie Short, Professor, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland, Baltimore County • conversation
June 21, 2021 ~9 min

A transition to working from home won't slash emissions unless we make car-free lifestyles viable

One in five now work exclusively from home in the UK. But remote workers still drive about as often as commuters – though for different reasons.

Lee Chapman, Professor of Climate Resilience, University of Birmingham • conversation
Oct. 6, 2020 ~6 min


Is your neighborhood raising your coronavirus risk? Redlining decades ago set communities up for greater danger

Neighborhood characteristics like pollution from busy roads, widespread public transit use and lack of community-based health care are putting certain communities at greater risk from COVID-19.

Sarah Rowan, Assistant Professor of Medicine-Infectious Disease, University of Colorado Denver • conversation
May 26, 2020 ~11 min

Coronavirus is spreading through rural South’s high-risk population – reopening economies will make it worse

Southern governors are starting to reopen their economies at the same time COVID-19 cases are spreading through the rural South.

Meagen Rosenthal, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Administration, University of Mississippi • conversation
April 24, 2020 ~7 min

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