The Infra Blog

Now Accepting Entries: U.S. DOT’s Data Innovation Challenge

Wednesday, February 26th, 2014
DOT Data Challenge

The U.S. Department of Transportation is now accepting entries for their Data Innovation Challenge through April 30, 2014. The challenge is to “create a tool to address systemic challenges by accessing publicly available federal and/or local DOT datasets.” Entrants can choose to create a range of tools, from mobile apps to infographics–the only restriction is that DOT’s publicly available data must be at the core of the project.

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Interactive Infographic: 100% Renewable Energy Benefits in the 50 States

Tuesday, February 25th, 2014
The Solutions Project: 50 Plans, 50 States

This interactive infographic from The Solutions Project gives you a glimpse into the future of renewable energy. By analyzing each state’s renewable-energy potential, The Solutions Project was able to predict which types of renewable energy could contribute to meeting each state’s energy needs, in a future where fossil fuels and nuclear power are no longer options. Each state’s profile includes additional effects of switching to renewables, like reduced mortality and illness costs, and the percentage of land needed for wind, water and solar projects.

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This Infra Week

Friday, February 21st, 2014

INFRA STORIES YOU SHOULDN’T MISS!
I Want to Ride My Bicycle, I Want to Ride My Bike
Southwest Could Lose Crucial Rail Line
Pedestrians Are People Too. Really cool people.

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Interactive Map: Wind Farms of America

Thursday, February 20th, 2014
windenergy1

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) created this sleek, highly functional interactive map to illustrate the country’s vast network of wind turbines. Vital stats are available for each site, and you can filter results by unique parameters like total height, capacity and blade length. Wind energy aficionados, stakeholders and curious citizens couldn’t ask for a better visualization of our at-home wind farm network.

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This Infra Week

Friday, February 14th, 2014
Aloha

  Thinking of Spreading a Little Artistic Neighborhood Cheer?Don’t. It’s probably against the law.(Strong Towns Blog) Imagine All the People…Without Cars.Could driverless cars really rule the roads in just 16 years?(The Atlantic Cities) Crowdfunding InfrastructureKansas City looks to “transform one of the worst cities for biking into the one of the greatest with a world-class […]

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Rethinking the Way Transportation Infrastructure Is Funded

Friday, February 14th, 2014

Innovation Newsbriefs
Vol. 25, No. 3A
It may come as a surprise to you, but there is a quiet revolution in transportation funding underway these days. Faced with a depleted Highway Trust Fund and uncertain prospects for more money from a deficit-conscious Congress, many states are taking matters into their own hands and aggressively pursuing more fiscal independence.

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Guest on The Infra Blog: Megan Owens, Executive Director, Transportation Riders United

Thursday, February 13th, 2014
Megan Owens, Executive Director, Transportation Riders United

Megan Owens is the Executive Director of Transportation Riders United (TRU). TRU is Detroit’s non-profit transit advocate, dedicated to improving and promoting public transit throughout greater Detroit. Founded in 1999, TRU has a strong track record of doing the research, presenting the facts, involving the public, developing the coalitions and educating the leaders needed to achieve quality transit.

“We’ve been able, over the last decade or so, to help change public perception, even here in the Motor City…to an understanding that we do need more and better transit. It is a benefit for our economy and our community and our environment. Now the question is less whether we need to improve transit, but how we need to improve transit.”

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February 25-27, Washington DC: High Speed Rail Summit 2014

Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

Don’t miss the 2014 High Speed Rail Summit in Washington, DC this February 25-26. Transportation secretary Anthony Foxx will headline the summit.

Other highlighted speakers include: Karen Hedlund, FRA Deputy Administrator; John Mica, Congressman; Loretta Sanchez, Congresswoman; Stephen Gardner, Amtrak Vice President;

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This Infra Week

Friday, February 7th, 2014

INFRA STORIES YOU SHOULDN’T MISS!
Take a Walk on the Child Side
Hawaii Rail A-Go
Seek And Ye Shall Find…

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Interactive Map: The Chicago Commute

Thursday, February 6th, 2014
Transitized: Chicago Commute

A unique interactive map from Transitized illustrates the various modes of transportation used by Chicagoans in their daily commutes.

You’ll see a lot of red on the map, symbolizing the carbon-conscious citizen’s nightmare of “driving alone,” but the outlook’s not all so bleak–most downtown neighborhoods favor walking, and some transit corridors with direct access to downtown (though not all, surprisingly) bring a majority of residents to work. Biking and carpooling are all but invisible at first, but mouseover any area of the map and you’ll see quick stats for that exact spot, revealing that lesser-utilized modes of transportation are still present in significant–if not majority–numbers.

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