April 18, 2013

The MBTA Expands Pedal and Park

(Photo Courtesy of  Boston Magazine)

 

Highlights 

A World Without Trash Cans? Atlantic Cities

Amanda Erickson-- In May 2001, the State Department issued a memo on homemade bombs and IEDs. "IEDs can be contained in almost anything," the pamphlet warns, including "trash cans, dumpsters, mailboxes, bushes, storage areas, and parked vehicles." The warning became painfully relevant once again on Monday — early reports suggest that at least one of the explosive devices used in the attack at the Boston Marathon was hidden in a garbage can.

In the modern terror era, major cities are all too aware of the ways attackers can use a piece of existing infrastructure to hide a weapon. Given this reality, what does a safe city look like now?

 

The Four Mass. Transportation Funding Plans Brookline Patch

Bret Silverberg-- Officials, legislators and members of the public have debated four plans unveiled during the course of the past two months all with one goal: Paying for transportation in Massachusetts for the foreseeable future.

Writers of these plans are trying to find ways to pump as much money as possible into the system, while trying to avoid dramatic fare increases, tax hikes and fees.

 

MBTA Pedal and Park Cages Coming to More Stations Boston Magazine

Steve Annear-- The days of worrying about whether or not your bike will still be where you locked it outside of an MBTA station will soon be gone.

As part of a federal grant program to provide access to safer bike-locking options, MBTA officials said they are officially opening new “Pedal and Park” facilities to the public on April 16. The first structure will be unveiled to riders at the Oak Grove station, and allow cyclists to place their two-wheeled modes of transportation inside a caged area that can only be accessed with the use of a registered CharlieCard or Bike CharlieCard.

 

NYPD Ticketing Cyclists for Late-Night Hudson River Greenway Commutes StreetsBlog 

Stephen Miller-- NYPD is ticketing cyclists riding on the Hudson River Greenway after 1:00 a.m., which is the Parks Department’s citywide closing time, according to a reader who was stopped by police on the greenway last night.

A Streetsblog reader who gave her name as Ellen says she was commuting home at around 1:30 a.m. early this morning when she saw a police cruiser blocking the path near 72nd Street. She had heard that officers were ticketing cyclists for using the greenway after 1:00 a.m., so the encounter wasn’t entirely unexpected.

 

London contemplates restricting big trucks Cycling Weekly

Laura Laker--  The Mayor’s office is investigating a ban on larger lorries in central London amid questions over whether current HGV time restrictions in the capital are increasing risk to cyclists. 

After the death of a female cyclist in Victoria on Monday at 8.25am after a collision with a tipper truck, Boris Johnson joined British Cycling and the London Cycling Campaign calling for a ban on dangerous HGVs in London. 

 

"Streets"

  • How Children Lost out to Cars in the Battle for Space on our Streets Wales Online
  • Boston's Street Seats Competition We Love Beantown
  • Somerville Aldermen suggest easing regulations for street performers Somerville News
  • Dangerous crossing at Tufts in Somerville now 4-way stop Wicked Local
  • Two restaurants want dogs allowed in outdoor seating areas Wicked Local
    • Waiver to allow dogs in dining spots approved Wicked Local
  • The complete guide to Boston’s food trucks Boston Globe
  • LETTER: East Arlington Livable Streets Coalition on Election Results Arlington Patch
  • Column: Somerville cyclists, pedestrians should be excellent to each other Wicked Local 
  • No decision on JPNC lawsuit JP Gazette
  • State Rep Tim Toomey: "Stop ethanol from running through Somerville" Wicked Local 
  • Still no green light from Boston for retail trucks Boston Globe

Walking 

  • Pedestrian struck, killed by car in Cambridge WCVB
  • UPDATE: East Boston man struck, killed on Land Boulevard in Cambridge Wicked Local
  • New Type of Traffic Signal Allows Pedestrians to Cross D.C. Roads More Safely DCist
  • Study -- Too Many Drivers Fail to Look for Pedestrians When Turning Left DC StreetsBlog
  • Pushcarts can stay in Downtown Crossing through this year, but some need to find new locations Boston Boston Globe
  • Police Stings for Drivers Who Don't Yield in Crosswalks: Does It Really Work? Atlantic Cities
  • Investigation: Crosswalk sting operation causing controversy Wesh.com
  • Cyclists hope for Beacon Street track The Somerville News
  • A World Without Trash Cans? Atlantic Cities
  • The Long Road from Terrorist Attack to Bombproof Trash Cans Core 77

Parks

  • Selectmen approve Emerald Necklace upgrades Wicked Local
  • Emerald Necklace park named in honor of Justine Mee Liff, Boston's first female parks commissioner Boston.com
  • North End group calls for improved landscaping in Greenway parks Boston.com
  • Jackson Sq. playground construction to start JP Gazette
  • Casey team looks at park, bus mitigation JP Gazette

Bicycling

  • Beacon Street Plan Opponents Strike Back on 'Greater Somerville' Somerville Patch
  • Rte. 9 Pedestrian, Bicycle Crossing Project Approved Brookline Patch
  • Vintage bikes grow more popular in Boston, Cambridge Boston.com
  • As Hubway reopens, agency eyes Roxbury, Dorchester, and South Boston for possible expansion Boston.com
  • Invisible Bike Helmet UpWorthy
  • Tickets for Midnight Marathon commuter train sold-out Boston.com
  • Bike lane coming to Onset Wareham MA

Transit

  • MBTA Campaign Targets Inappropriate Behavior MA Transport Blog
  • Planners discuss bullet train system Mass Transit Mag
  • VIDEO: Door on Red Line car stays open on the way to Boston Wicked Local
  • New Train from Boston to Cape Cod For $35 Back Bay Patch
  • A Virtual Look Ahead: Salem's New MBTA Station Salem Patch
  • Bidder for commuter rail contract threatening to drop out, slamming Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail Boston.com
  • All aboard: PA Gov. Corbett and Amtrak swing a deal on train service Post-Gazette
  • FIX IT NOW: Postponing the Necessary is Dangerous Policy and Misguided Politics LivableStreets Blog
  • MBTA Ride protesters block street, four arrested Metro
  • As transit advocates shut down Beacon Street, tax bill debate stirs DOT News
  • Amtrak ridership hits record levels USA Today
  • Orange Line needs $1 billion worth of new trains to keep pace with new ridership Universal Hub
  • Boston Wants You to Design a Better Transit Map Atlantic Cities
  • JPNA Members Hear about Silver Line Eastie Times
  • MBTA Pedal and Park Cages Coming to More Stations Boston Magazine
  • Subway Riders' Quirks Studied NY Times
  • The Ideal Subway Seating Arrangement? No Middle Seats Wired

Cars/Parking

  • Boston driving -- So bad it needs its own lingo? Boston Globe
  • QUESTION 1: Shall the Town Have Four Vehicular Travel Lanes on Mass. Ave. in East Arlington as Now Practiced? Arlington Patch
    • Arlington voters favor four lanes of Mass Ave Boston.com
  • QUESTION 2: Do You Favor the Town's Current Overnight Parking Ban? Arlington Patch
  • Letters: No car owners need apply? That’s an outrageous case of bias Boston Globe
  • Letters: Many would gain if city expanded off-street parking Boston Globe
  • What Drives Us? Car Sharing Reflects Cultural Shift NPR
  • The return of serious rush-hour slowdowns, and where to keep your phone packed away Boston.com
  • Technology takes a toll on toll collectors Marketplace
  • City budget -- Menino proposals include parking spot locator app Boston Globe
  • Somerville residents concerned about parking at Union development Wicked Local
  • Children who live near traffic have greater risk of cancer: study LA Times
  • New online service launched to locate towed cars in Cambridge Wicked Local 
  • City should raise meter rates for some Boston Globe

Transportation financing/Government

  • Governor Patrick vs. Legislature
    • MBTA: Legislative transit plan would cost $500 million in Green Line project funding Boston.com
    • Legislature revenue plan could derail South Coast Rail South Coast Today
    • MBTA: Federal Funding for Green Line at Risk Under Recent Proposal Somerville Patch
    • Mayor Curtatone Testifies in Support of Transportation Bond Bill Somerville News
    • MA Transportation Funding Framework: More (or really less) to the supposedly budget-minded proposal than meets the eye CLF
    • Leroux: Legislature's half-loaf for transportation Metro West DN
    • Governor Deval Patrick vows to veto $500m transportation plan pushed by lawmakers Boston.com
    • Proposal Would Create 'Third World Transportation System,' Says Conflicted Somerville Rep. Somerville Patch
    • Unfunded transit system strands city development Boston Globe
    • Protestors of MBTA Cuts Arrested at State House Charlestown Patch
    • House approves measure to fund transit system Boston Globe
    • Biz slams brakes on Deval Patrick’s $1.9B Plan Boston Herald
    • Tracking state transportation funding plans T4America
    • Patrick's plan will fix the transportation mess Boston Globe
    • Mass. Senate Backs More Transportation Funds WBUR
    • The Four Mass. Transportation Funding Plans Brookline Patch
    • BRA head backs Green Line extension JP Gazette
    • Mass. Senate approves $800m transportation bill Boston.com
  • City takes over some Charlestown council duties JP Gazette
  • Private T Pensions Draw Fire Mass Transit Mag
  • Pay now or really pay later for transportation Boston Globe

Development projects

  • MIT
  •  
  • Downtown Crossing
    • Letters: Downtown Crossing still needs a retail anchor Boston Globe
    • Letters: Downtown Crossing revival spurred by hard work of stakeholders Boston Globe
    • Filene’s project to resume as Arnold Worldwide signed as major tenant Boston Globe
  • Casey
    • Resident considers lawsuit against Casey project JP Gazette
    • Casey documents suggest at-grade bias JP Gazette
    • MassDOT: Casey plans were never biased JP Gazette
  • Cradock Bridge Reconstruction Design Unveiled Medford Patch
  • Harvard-Allston Task Force Criticizes University for Not Providing Benefits The Crimson
  • Waterfront Highlights Boston Cityscape Changes Under Menino WBUR
  • A quiet deal done on Boston’s last frontier Boston Globe
  • Close Mass Ave vote means project likely to go forward Word on the Street
  • Local Association Disappointed with S. Huntington Guidelines JP Gazette
  • Cambridge Redevelopment Authority looks to the future Wicked Local 
  • Ceremony held for new EF headquarters in Cambridge Wicked Local
  • Fore River Bridge: The Work Ahead MA Transport Blog
  • Concerns continue about Boston's Casey Overpass Wicked Local 
  • Developer Sebastian Mariscal does not own Allston site Boston Globe
  • Burns Bridge Project Safety Update MA Transport Blog
  • Middlesex courthouse gets total makeover Boston Globe
  • Boston residents hear plans to remake library building Boston Herald
  • Bridge Construction Between Cambridge and Boston Burdens Drivers Boston Magazine
  • Improvements Coming to I-93 Overpass South End Patch
  • Mayor Menino Celebrates Groundbreaking at InkBlock in the South End BRA News
  • Mayor Menino Announces: New Projects Moving Forward BRA News
  • Mixed Feelings About Longfellow Reconstruction Process Transit Matters
  • Beacon Hill Times: Longfellow Bridge Project to Impact Traffic, MBTA Service​ Beacon Hill Times

Land Use/Planning

  • Residents, Business Owners Sound Off on Medford Square Medford Patch
  • Charlestown Groups Hear Suffolk Downs Casino Plan Charlestown Patch
  • Residents eye more changes to plan for hotel, apartments, retail, restaurant, offices in Cleveland Circle Boston.com
  • Residents want more changes made in Cleveland Circle development proposal Boston Globe
  • Letters: Projects proceed without good planning Boston Globe
  • Union Square Housing Project Faces Questions About Parking, Historic Building Somerville Patch
  • Councilors, residents want answers from Governor about Sullivan Courthouse Wicked Local 
  • Courthouse developer unveils plans for apartments on East Cambridge site Wicked Local 
  • Somerville aldermen put brakes on Assembly Square land swap Wicked Local 
  • Corridor final draft plan announced JP Gazette
  • State belatedly rejects Trinity Financial's MassPike Extension air-rights development plan​ Boston Herald

Out-of-state

  • NY
    • Study Details Injuries to Pedestrians and Cyclists in New York City NY Times
    • An Experiment: How Many NYC Drivers Don’t Signal? StreetFilms
    • FAA and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Reach Agreement on Airport Safety Violations FAA
    • NYC Starts Placing Bike Share Docks Transportation Nation
    • NYPD Ticketing Cyclists for Late-Night Hudson River Greenway Commutes StreetsBlog
    • Citi Bike sells out 'founding' keys in 30 hours Crains NY
  • MN
    • Bicyclist survives Molotov cocktail on Minneapolis Midtown Greenway Star Tribune
    • Expanding mass transit in east metro is a fight to catch up MPR
  • CA
    • Get In Touch Arch Paper
    • Parking Progress on Baker at Fell and Oak Streets SF StreetsBlog
    • Los Angeles’ First Comple te Street On the MyFigueroa Corridor Close To Moving Ahead Arch Paper
  • TX
  • IL
    • Elevating the Conversation: Raised Bike Lanes Are Coming to Chicago Chi StreetsBlog
  • WI
    • In Wisconsin Driving Stagnates while Highway Spending Accelerates StreetsBlog
  • MI
    • Dan Gilbert’s Quest to Remake Downtown Detroit NY Times
  • OH
    • If Other Cities Are Demolishing Skywalks, Why Does Cleveland Want a New One? Atlantic Cities

National trends

International news

  • Parking Spots Are Replacing Vibrant Street Life in Yangon Atlantic Cities
  • Bombardier to test electric buses that charge wirelessly CBC
  • The three pillars of successful urban development in Seoul The City Fix
  • London contemplates restricting big trucks Cycling Weekly
  • Tiny alleyway gets double yellow lines BBC
  • BIXI Toronto in financial trouble, city wants to restructure deal The Star