Regional Plan Association
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How Long Will It Take to Modernize New York’s Commuter Rail System?
The New York region's commuter rail network is failing to keep up with current travel patterns, said panelists at Friday's Regional Plan Association annual assembly. MTA chair Tom Prendergast agrees, but he doesn't expect that to change much anytime soon -- there are too many other priorities that need to be taken care of first, he said.
May 10, 2016
Experts Call for Complete Overhaul of NY Region’s Transportation Agencies
At the Regional Plan Association Assembly today, a panel of experts with background in the U.S. and abroad offered a number of ideas on how the New York metro region could reform its ailing transport system. Most of the recommendations would mean a top-to-bottom overhaul of the way projects are planned, financed, and executed -- and a shakeup of the entities that call the shots.
May 6, 2016
The Looming Transit Breakdown That Threatens America’s Economy
While federal transit funding stagnates, the nation's largest rail and bus systems have been delaying critical maintenance projects. Without sustained efforts to fix infrastructure and vehicles, the effects of deteriorating service in big American cities could ripple across the national economy, according to a new report from the Regional Plan Association [PDF].
November 16, 2015
Let This RPA Vid Explain Why We Need More Rail Tubes Under the Hudson
The Regional Plan Association produced a nice explainer video on why the region needs to build more rail capacity under the Hudson River, the risks facing the existing train tubes, and what will happen if one of them has to be taken offline for repairs before another tunnel gets built.
October 29, 2015
RPA: Growing Outer Boroughs Need New Generation of Transit Investment
With the boroughs outside Manhattan adding people and jobs faster than the city core, New York needs to reorient its transit priorities, argues the Regional Plan Association in a new report. The authors warn that increasing travel in the other boroughs will strain the local bus system and lead more people to drive, causing more traffic congestion and imposing the burden of car ownership on more low- and middle-income New Yorkers.
February 11, 2015
De Blasio Talks Planning and Housing But Not Transpo at RPA Assembly
Planning and transportation leaders from across the tri-state area met at the Waldorf Astoria today for the Regional Plan Association's annual gathering, featuring panel discussions and a keynote by Mayor Bill de Blasio that was noticeably light on transportation issues.
April 25, 2014
Honoring the Tappan Zee, and Other Highlights From the RPA Assembly
Today, the Regional Plan Association held its 23rd Annual Assembly, gathering many of the region's transportation and development players under one roof. Unlike recent years, when the buzz was about congestion pricing or DOT's bicycle and pedestrian programs, this year's program didn't have much to excite livable streets advocates.
April 19, 2013
Brooklyn Greenway Milestone: City Announces Full Implementation Plan
The Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway started out as a glimmer in the eyes of a few dedicated volunteers 14 years ago. Now it's a comprehensive city plan to build out a ribbon of parkland from Greenpoint to Sunset Park.
June 22, 2012
DOT Expanding Use of “Life Preserving Intervals,” With More to Come
One more tidbit from last Friday's Regional Plan Association shindig: During the Q&A session at the "Cars vs. Bikes vs. Pedestrians" panel (a title that seemed unnecessarily provocative to moderator Trent Lethco, RPA board member and transportation consultant with engineering firm Arup, until he concluded that it "reflects realities"), I asked about leading pedestrian intervals.
May 1, 2012
DOT: New York City’s Complete Streets Are Built to Last
The New York City Department of Transportation is nurturing a culture of safer streets that it expects to outlast the administration of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, DOT policy director Jon Orcutt said at last Friday's Regional Plan Association annual assembly.
May 1, 2012