Recent Streetsblog USA posts about Studies & Reports

Study: Shorter Blocks May Be the Key to Cutting Traffic in Small Cities

By Tanya Snyder | Jan 7, 2013 | 4 Comments

It’s well-established that density and mixed-use development reduce driving. Right? But strategies like those don’t work the same way everywhere, according to new research published in the Journal of Transport and Land Use. While in major cities, denser development is linked to lower rates of driving, researchers found that in smaller cities it might not […]

Here They Are: The Best and Worst American Transportation Projects

By Angie Schmitt | Dec 12, 2012 | 18 Comments

Which transportation projects are the smartest investments, and which are the most ridiculous boondoggles? The Sierra Club has put together a solid list in a new report titled “Smart Choices, Less Traffic: The 50 Best and Worst Transportation Projects in the United States.” The Sierra Club evaluated each project based on five criteria, including its […]

British National Health Experts: Cycling Safer Than Couch Sitting

By Angie Schmitt | Nov 30, 2012 | 1 Comment

A British national health authority is advising UK residents to make walking and cycling the norm for short trips, in order to reduce the risk of chronic diseases associated with the nation’s obesity epidemic. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence issued a 97-page report Wednesday on the topic with a number of recommendations. […]

Which States Are Breaking Free From Oil Dependence? NRDC Ranks All 50

By Angie Schmitt | Nov 19, 2012 | 3 Comments

When it comes to helping their residents get around without breaking the bank, California, Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, and New York are the top five states in the nation, while Nebraska, Alaska, Mississippi, Idaho, and North Dakota bring up the rear. That’s according to a new report by the Natural Resources Defense Council. NRDC ranked every […]

Why It Can Be More Affordable to Live in an “Expensive” City

By Katie Pearce | Oct 19, 2012 | 18 Comments

So, how did Washington, D.C. — widely perceived as one of the most expensive cities in the country — end up topping a “most affordable” housing list? First and most importantly, adjust for average income levels. Then, factor in transportation costs. Using that formula, the D.C. region is tops among 25 American metro areas in […]

How Much Bang Are Cities Getting From Federal BRT Bucks?

By Tanya Snyder and Ben Fried | Jul 31, 2012 | 13 Comments

How substantial are the benefits delivered by federal investment in bus rapid transit projects, and how can the feds help local governments build better bus improvements? A new report from the non-partisan Government Accountability Office [PDF] looks at the results of BRT projects that have been completed in 20 cities since 2005, when SAFETEA-LU expanded federal […]

Show More Stories