Ben Goldman

Last fall, Streetsblog reported on the complex relationship between economically disadvantaged neighborhoods and the transit-oriented development projects intended to revitalize them. Often, the same people who stand to gain the most quality-of-life benefits from new transit also face the greatest risk of being displaced by the rising property values associated with TOD.

Can Amtrak Ever Be Profitable? Experts Weigh In. (Freakonomics) Florida’s East Coast Excited at Prospect of Returning Train Service (News-Journal) Is Sustainability For Commies? (The Naked City) New System Uses Radar to Detect Bicycles at Intersections (Wired) Former Gov Rendell Urges Cities to Invest in Transportation (Times-Union) Kansas City Mayor Lining Up Support For Streetcar … Continued

As Congress prepares to reconvene and take up the payroll tax cut extension yet again, a movement is forming to restore the transit commuter tax benefit to 2011 levels.

Building America’s Future Will Be Live-Tweeting Today’s Forum in Jacksonville LA’s Crenshaw Boulevard Light Rail Line Gets Final Approval (KTVN) Charles Marohn Dives Deeper Into “Old and Blighted” vs. “Shiny and New” Development New York Ferries: First Smartphone Payment System for Transit? (Human Transit) CA High-Speed Rail Fans, Foes Seek Federal Feasibility Study (SFChronicle) When Should HSR Serve New … Continued

With all eyes on today's Iowa caucuses, it’s worth noting that this year’s vocal crop of GOP candidates has been mostly silent on the subject of transportation and urban issues in general.

There are plenty of hidden costs to auto-oriented development: increased levels of air and water pollution, safety risks posed to pedestrians and cyclists. But as Strong Towns Blog points out, some costs are hardly hidden at all.

Cities Struggle as U.S. Cuts Block Grants Program (NYT) Secretary LaHood Steers Clear of Hands-Free Phone Debate (Hill) LaHood, Salazar Tout TIGER Improvements to St. Louis Arch Area (St. Louis Beacon) Maryland to Offer Preferential Funding for Smart Growth (Transpo Nation) Alan Kandel at California Progress Report Offers HSR Resolutions for 2012 Colorado Supreme Court … Continued

When the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously passed a two-year transportation reauthorization bill last month, it quickly became clear that bipartisan support was coming at a price. First, we learned that the Transportation Enhancements bike/ped programs would lose their dedicated funding. Now, we learn that Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loans will no longer hold applicants to as high an environmental standard -- or any standard, really.

Of the 46 recently-announced TIGER grant recipients, 18 projects had at least a "substantial freight component," according to the Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors. Over $232 million -- 45 percent -- of this latest round of the popular transportation funding program will go to freight projects. That's a very impressive share, considering that traditional federal funding mechanisms tend to neglect freight.

The Senate has voted to extend the payroll tax cuts – for two months – but didn't act on a measure to maintain parity between the commuter parking and transit benefits. This means transit riders will get their pre-tax benefits cut in half come January 1st, while those who drive to work will see a small jump in how much the government subsidizes their parking expenses. As Steve Davis of Transportation For America puts it (emphasis his):