Each Friday, the Wagner Planner editorial board will publish a news roundup of recent planning news. Topics range the gamut of urban planning concentrations, but will mostly be at the discretion of the editors.

Brendan’s Picks

What’s Inside Presidential Candidates’ Transportation Plans?

“Our director Beth Osborne often jokes that transportation is the first agenda item on politicians’ second to-do list—which is why it never gets done. Most presidential candidates are no different, advocating for business-as-usual transportation funding or embedding transportation across multiple plans.  Here’s what’s in them. ” (T4 America Blog)

The Local Regulations that Can Kill E-Scooters

“In less-dense cities and suburban areas, e-scooter companies have a harder time profiting from dockless vehicles. Local leaders should regulate accordingly” (CityLab)

Britain’s Bold Plan for High Speed Rail

“Faster north-south train service around London could decrease reliance on cars and planes. But northerners say their more dire transportation needs are being neglected.” (CityLab)

Mayelly’s Picks

Reducing Street Sprawl Could Help Combat Climate Change

“Building more disconnected thoroughfares might lock cities into a dependence on greenhouse-gas emitting cars” (Scientific American)

Cities’ Transportation Ideas Remain Too Small to Deliver Clear Results

“Many cities are experimenting with innovative transportation ideas like scooters or autonomous shuttles, but their efforts are often too isolated or too small to deliver meaningful results, according to transportation experts.” (Axios)

Vision Zero, Meet VMT Reductions

“Many jurisdictions have vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reduction targets, intended to reduce congestion and pollution. They can also provide large but often overlooked traffic safety benefits.” (Planetizen)

Bonus Video

City boots creepy ‘coronavirus-detecting’ robot from Bryant Park

“Move over HAL-9000, Bryant Park’s COVID-19-detecting robot is here.” (NY Post)