Tragedy in DuPont: Earlier this week, an Amtrak Cascades train derailed just south of DuPont killing three passengers–including two local train aficionados ($)–and dozens of others. Streetsblog highlighted how America has failed to implement safety technology that can prevent similar tragedies. The Wall Street Journal also reported that the bridge and curve had been planned for replacement with new infrastructure capable of 100mph trains ($), but was ultimately cut from the upgrade project. Sound Transit plans to implement positive train control fully in 2018.
Incompetence reigns supreme: Trump and his extremist head of the Environmental Protection Agency are driving staff away in droves.
Passive aggressive tactic: In Seattle, bike racks have been used as a way to keep homeless individuals away.
Anti-environmental decision: A superior court judge has partially blocked a clean air rule–and program–by the Washington State Department of Ecology; the state could appeal the decision.
Tax scam enacted: The Republican tax scam passed this week could have consequential impacts for transit and bike commuters as well as affordable housing production regionally.
Value engineered: Sound Transit has found $200 million in value engineering savings ($) for the Lynnwood Link extension.
Paint the hill: You can help vote for a new mural in Capitol Hill.
Bussed out: The Guardian reports that many American cities are busing the poor and destitute elsewhere.
Policy response wanted: The state of New York City’s traffic woes are unsustainable in large part due to Uber and Lyft, meaning action needs to be taken to reverse the trend.
Seattle’s game board: Crosscut likens the state of Seattle sidewalks to that of a board game.
Listen to women: Urban planning needs to have women lead and participate in a major way.
Uber-taxing: The European Union says that services like Uber are taxis, dealing a major blow to the company from a regulatory standpoint but putting it on equal footing for traditional ride-hailing operators. Meanwhile, it appears that Uber is cutting into the use of ambulance services for better or worse.
All systems go: A federal court has upheld a decision to greenlight the Purple Line in the D.C. metro area.
Placation or commitment: Is your city just giving lip service to Vision Zero?
Titling at windmills: Elon Musk stepped in it when calling transit guru Jarrett Walker an “idiot” and trashing transit, showing he clearly doesn’t understand what he’s talking about. Social media responded by sharing great things that happen on transit and why it’s a fundamental piece of society.
Vancity lessons: What can Vancouver, British Columbia teach Seattle about housing affordability?
Best street transformations: Streetsblog wants you to vote for the best urban street transformation of 2017.
Stephen is a professional urban planner in Puget Sound with a passion for sustainable, livable, and diverse cities. He is especially interested in how policies, regulations, and programs can promote positive outcomes for communities. With stints in great cities like Bellingham and Cork, Stephen currently lives in Seattle. He primarily covers land use and transportation issues and has been with The Urbanist since 2014.