Recent Streetsblog USA posts about Boston

Boston’s Fairmount Line Could Be a National Model for Commuter Rail, But It’s Not There Yet

By Alon Levy | Jul 31, 2017 | 64 Comments

Commuter rail in the United States mostly caters to affluent suburbanites who commute to the city center. Even though these lines pass through working class city neighborhoods that stand to benefit enormously from better transit, the service they provide passes those communities by. It doesn't have to be that way.

The red areas mark close calls between drivers and pedestrians. Image via City of Bellevue

Can Algorithms Design Safer Intersections?

By Stephen Miller | Jun 7, 2017 | 5 Comments

Cities and tech firms are deploying new technology to gauge risks at dangerous intersections. These sensors, cameras, and machine-learning algorithms are promising, especially when it comes to measuring close calls that don't result in crashes - but cities are still figuring out how they can use this information. In the meantime, there's no reason to wait on designing safe streets.

Boston Survey Suggests Approaches to Bikeway Design That Will Appeal More to People of Color

By Stephen Miller | Jun 6, 2017 | 2 Comments

A new survey conducted in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood shows that while people across different racial groups like protected bike lanes, there are variations in preferences that should inform design.

Comic characters in Boston's bike lanes remind drivers (and the mayor) that more can be done to improve safety. Photo: Jonathan Fertig

After Boston’s Mayor Blames Crash Victims, Pop-Up Comics Push for Better Bike Lanes

By Stephen Miller | May 22, 2017 | 108 Comments

Boston's latest do-it-yourself bike lane intervention might seem a bit sketchy -- because it uses comics to prod City Hall for needed safety improvements.

App-Based “Microtransit” Provider Bridj Closes Shop

By Stephen Miller | May 1, 2017 | 7 Comments

Bridj, the premium app-based "microtransit" service that tailored routes and prices based on customer demand, has folded after exhausting its funds.

Parking Madness: Toronto vs. Medford, Massachusetts

By Angie Schmitt | Mar 20, 2017 | 19 Comments

It's Parking Madness season at Streetsblog, and if you're just joining us, this year's competition is all about how we sabotage transit by surrounding stations with huge fields of parking. First round action continues today as Toronto takes on the Boston suburb of Malden. Vote for the worst to send it through to the round of eight.

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