Cities Take Steps to Increase Bicyclist and Pedestrian Safety

A simple yet promising technology has been proven to save the lives of bicyclists and pedestrians on roadways. That’s why cities such as Boston are taking the initiative to require a new piece of equipment on large trucks.

Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program Yields Striking Results

If you build integrated walking and bicycling networks into a community’s transportation system, will people use it? 

That’s what Congress wanted to know nearly a decade ago when it established the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program (NTPP). Through NTPP, the Federal Highway...

Contemplating Livability in Rural Areas

It is important for transportation planners to remember that when they talk about livability, they are really talking about a highly personal and idealized perception of how everyday life and transport intertwine.

Discoveries in D.C. and Delft: Reflections on the Future of Transportation Research

In Delft, the streets belong to the people. Nobody wears bike helmets, and children as young as eight go unsupervised on bicycles “because cyclists never interact with fast-moving vehicles," said Dr. Robert Bertini, who shared his experiences from the Delft University of Technology in the...

The Walkability Challenge: Measuring the Impact of Health and Environment

Do people who live in more densely populated areas get more physical activity than those who live in sprawling neighborhoods? Is walkability a solution to a number of health problems, both physical and mental? How do you measure the benefits? These relationships are extremely complex, said Dr....

Engineer's Resourcefulness Drives Investment in Boston Bike Safety Initiative

Alex Epstein is passionate about pedestrian and bike safety. When Volpe announced its first-ever Innovation Challenge last fall, Epstein proposed a study to examine the safety and potential fuel economy benefits of truck side guards.