Smart Growth America Applauds National Transportation Equity Coalition

As co-chair of the Transportation for America campaign, Smart Growth America is proud to help launch the nation’s leading civil rights, community development, racial justice, economic justice, faith-based, health, housing, labor, environmental justice, tribal, and transportation organizations to create the Equity Caucus at Transportation for America. Transportation is a crucial part of the path to … Continued

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National traffic congestion report gets daily driving backwards

A new report out today from CEOs for Cities criticizes the Travel Time Index, an annual scoring of metropolitan areas and their congestion. The Index for each urban area in the US is released annually as part of the Texas Transportation Institute’s Urban Mobility Report and heavily influences decision-makers looking for solutions to traffic congestion. … Continued

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Tell AAA: Bicyclists are drivers, too!

In the July/August 2010 issue of AAA World magazine, Don Gagnon, president and CEO of AAA Mid-Atlantic, argued that the federal Highway Trust Fund – a nationwide program which is meant to sponsor a wide range of transportation options – should solely fund highway development. In an article titled “Use the Highway Trust Fund to … Continued

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World Car Free Day celebrates transportation alternatives

Some streets will be closed to traffic in Montreal today in celebration of World Car Free Day. Photo from Montreal’s Metropolitan Transport Agency, via CBC News. In cities around the world today, people are observing Car Free Day, an event celebrated every September 22nd which encourages people “to get around without cars and instead ride … Continued

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Sept. 20-24: Try Transit and Save Money in Virginia

Sept. 20-24 is Try Transit Week in Virginia, an annual effort by the state’s Department of Rail and Public Transportation and coalition partners to encourage Virginians to “stop driving alone and try one of the variety of transit options available.” Emphasizing bus, rail, Metro and carpooling, the Try Transit Week website does a great job … Continued

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Smart Growth America welcomes new staff

Smart Growth America is very excited to announce the addition of several new members to our staff. Chelsea Allinger, formerly a fellow at the Governor’s Institute on Community Design, has been brought on board full time as a new Program Associate for the Smart Growth Leadership Institute, SGA’s technical assistance center. Chelsea previously held an … Continued

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Jobs, long term growth and smart transportation

The Obama Administration has been a perennial advocate for smart transportation policy, and data from the 2009 stimulus package makes it clear why: these policies create jobs. Elizabeth Ave Charlotte Streetcar Construction Survey by Reconnecting America. In an article earlier this week, TIME magazine tracked how the Administration has distributed $48 billion for transportation projects … Continued

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Polar bears for smarter growth

Maybe you’ve seen it: a new commerical by automaker Nissan featuring the company’s latest car, a meandering polar bear and global climate change. The car in question is the Nissan LEAF, “the first 100% electric, no gas, no tailpipe vehicle.” Nissan certainly seems to be seeking the support of the eco-conscious set here, both with the commercial and the car itself. But in a post yesterday about the LEAF, Grist writer Jonathan Hiskes astutely notes that zero-emissions or not, no car is going to be as green as public transit options.

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