@bethosborne.bsky.social
Pinned
“...there is no such thing as a Lost Cause because there is no such thing as a Gained Cause. We fight for lost causes because we know that our defeat and dismay may be the preface to our successors’ victory, though that victory itself will be temporary...”― T.S. Eliot, Selected Essays: 1917-1932
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Finally: Another program for roadway expansion...
t4america.org/2026/10/09/f...
t4america.org/2026/10/09/f...
FY 26 INFRA awards are another reminder that our federal transportation program centers roadway expansion - Transportation For America
Data analysis for this piece was provided by Research Manager Joseph Womble. Despite overwhelming evidence that roadway expansion does not solve traffic congestion, federal grant programs continue to ...
t4america.org
October 9, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Finally: Another program for roadway expansion...
t4america.org/2026/10/09/f...
t4america.org/2026/10/09/f...
Why did NC, SD & NE perform so much better reducing emissions than CA, WA & CT? Because they are less likely to build highways they can’t afford to maintain. In other words, fiscal responsibility might be better for the climate than a climate champion.
bethosbornesga.substack.com/p/progressiv...
bethosbornesga.substack.com/p/progressiv...
Progressives don't necessarily deliver progressive transportation policy, state edition
Supporters of things like transit, Complete Streets, climate, etc. speak hopefully about the support they will get from progressives. This is overly simplistic and naive, and I want to talk about it.
bethosbornesga.substack.com
October 8, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Why did NC, SD & NE perform so much better reducing emissions than CA, WA & CT? Because they are less likely to build highways they can’t afford to maintain. In other words, fiscal responsibility might be better for the climate than a climate champion.
bethosbornesga.substack.com/p/progressiv...
bethosbornesga.substack.com/p/progressiv...
Prepare yourself for some smart growth leadership, Louisiana style. I am so excited to have Camille as the @SmartGrowthUSA Board Chair.
Learn more about her here: www.smartgrowthamerica.org/knowledge-hu...
Learn more about her here: www.smartgrowthamerica.org/knowledge-hu...
October 7, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Prepare yourself for some smart growth leadership, Louisiana style. I am so excited to have Camille as the @SmartGrowthUSA Board Chair.
Learn more about her here: www.smartgrowthamerica.org/knowledge-hu...
Learn more about her here: www.smartgrowthamerica.org/knowledge-hu...
The point is that progressive leadership does not tend to result in progressive transportation policy. If groups that want the outcomes that progressives claim to care about then they need to dial up the pressure for real actions. bethosbornesga.substack.com/p/electing-p...
Progressives don't necessarily deliver progressive transportation policy, federal edition
Supporters of things like transit, Complete Streets, climate, etc. speak hopefully about the support they will get from progressives. This is overly simplistic and naive, and I want to talk about it.
bethosbornesga.substack.com
October 7, 2026 at 8:22 PM
The point is that progressive leadership does not tend to result in progressive transportation policy. If groups that want the outcomes that progressives claim to care about then they need to dial up the pressure for real actions. bethosbornesga.substack.com/p/electing-p...
What Is the Federal Surface Transportation Program For?
Congress is once again trying to reauthorize the transportation program — the one that funds highways and, if they must, transit, walking, biking, and intercity passenger rail. But for what purpose?
bethosbornesga.substack.com/p/what-is-th...
Congress is once again trying to reauthorize the transportation program — the one that funds highways and, if they must, transit, walking, biking, and intercity passenger rail. But for what purpose?
bethosbornesga.substack.com/p/what-is-th...
What Is the Federal Surface Transportation Program For?
Congress is once again trying to reauthorize the transportation program — the one that funds highways and, if they must, transit, walking, biking, and intercity passenger rail. But for what purpose?
bethosbornesga.substack.com
October 1, 2026 at 10:36 PM
What Is the Federal Surface Transportation Program For?
Congress is once again trying to reauthorize the transportation program — the one that funds highways and, if they must, transit, walking, biking, and intercity passenger rail. But for what purpose?
bethosbornesga.substack.com/p/what-is-th...
Congress is once again trying to reauthorize the transportation program — the one that funds highways and, if they must, transit, walking, biking, and intercity passenger rail. But for what purpose?
bethosbornesga.substack.com/p/what-is-th...
The police don't want to manage traffic safety, understandably. Sadly, neither do the transportation agencies.
September 30, 2026 at 5:27 PM
The police don't want to manage traffic safety, understandably. Sadly, neither do the transportation agencies.
DOTs are using models and tools that are half a century old and extremely limited while talented researchers are creating modern tools and opening the source code. Why shouldn’t this be the standard transportation model?
understandingtransport.substack.com/p/connectome...
understandingtransport.substack.com/p/connectome...
Connectome v0.8.0
Ives Street is excited to announce the release of our travel demand modeling software, Connectome, under a license that makes it free to use for public agencies, nonprofits, and educational institutio...
understandingtransport.substack.com
September 18, 2026 at 7:02 PM
DOTs are using models and tools that are half a century old and extremely limited while talented researchers are creating modern tools and opening the source code. Why shouldn’t this be the standard transportation model?
understandingtransport.substack.com/p/connectome...
understandingtransport.substack.com/p/connectome...
I was taught to look both ways before crossing the street, and you probably were too. But it is not enough anymore. We need to teach more practical rules about how to be safe on America’s roads.
bethosbornesga.substack.com/p/looking-bo...
bethosbornesga.substack.com/p/looking-bo...
Looking Both Ways Is Not Enough Anymore
I was taught to look both ways before crossing the street, and you probably were too. But it is not enough anymore. We need to teach more practical rules about how to be safe on America’s roads.
bethosbornesga.substack.com
September 17, 2026 at 7:21 PM
I was taught to look both ways before crossing the street, and you probably were too. But it is not enough anymore. We need to teach more practical rules about how to be safe on America’s roads.
bethosbornesga.substack.com/p/looking-bo...
bethosbornesga.substack.com/p/looking-bo...
Every time I start to think I am a good writer, I run into someone like @keawilson.bsky.social who can express the issue with way more clarity that I can. If you need to understand where we are or what needs to happen, read her stuff.
Grateful to @bethosborne.bsky.social for getting me back up to speed on the federal transportation reauthorization post-leave. If you've lost track of this gargantuan process too (no shame, it's complicated!) here's a quick refresher:
What You Missed in the Transportation Reauthorization This Summer — Streetsblog USA
Congressional negotiations over America's next big transportation law hit some speed bumps this summer, but there's more work to be done.
usa.streetsblog.org
September 16, 2026 at 10:51 PM
Every time I start to think I am a good writer, I run into someone like @keawilson.bsky.social who can express the issue with way more clarity that I can. If you need to understand where we are or what needs to happen, read her stuff.
Very interesting report on micro-transit from ATU. It is more expensive than fixed route transit and doesn’t scale, which leads to worse service and poor treatment of drivers.
www.atu.org/pdfs/ATU_Fal...
www.atu.org/pdfs/ATU_Fal...
www.atu.org
September 14, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Very interesting report on micro-transit from ATU. It is more expensive than fixed route transit and doesn’t scale, which leads to worse service and poor treatment of drivers.
www.atu.org/pdfs/ATU_Fal...
www.atu.org/pdfs/ATU_Fal...
Charge Empty Cars What They Cost Us
bethosbornesga.substack.com/p/charge-emp...
bethosbornesga.substack.com/p/charge-emp...
Charge Empty Cars What They Cost Us
You have probably heard of Single Occupancy Vehicles. But have you heard of Zero Occupancy Vehicles? You will soon. We shouldn’t let them become common.
bethosbornesga.substack.com
September 10, 2026 at 11:09 PM
Charge Empty Cars What They Cost Us
bethosbornesga.substack.com/p/charge-emp...
bethosbornesga.substack.com/p/charge-emp...
Reposted
New study finds the social cost of driving a car 1 km—including pollution, crashes, infrastructure, and noise—is more than *triple* the private cost paid by the car owner.
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
September 10, 2026 at 12:21 PM
New study finds the social cost of driving a car 1 km—including pollution, crashes, infrastructure, and noise—is more than *triple* the private cost paid by the car owner.
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
I fixed it. 😉⚜️⚜️⚜️
September 10, 2026 at 12:26 PM
I fixed it. 😉⚜️⚜️⚜️
Reposted
WEBINAR: Nearly 40,000 people were killed on America’s roads in 2024—including over 7,000 struck and killed while walking.
Join us + @smartgrowthusa.bsky.social for a webinar diving into the latest #DangerousByDesign report. #ActivePeople
🗓️ September 23
RSVP ➡️ buff.ly/qXqX41I
Join us + @smartgrowthusa.bsky.social for a webinar diving into the latest #DangerousByDesign report. #ActivePeople
🗓️ September 23
RSVP ➡️ buff.ly/qXqX41I
September 9, 2026 at 6:02 PM
WEBINAR: Nearly 40,000 people were killed on America’s roads in 2024—including over 7,000 struck and killed while walking.
Join us + @smartgrowthusa.bsky.social for a webinar diving into the latest #DangerousByDesign report. #ActivePeople
🗓️ September 23
RSVP ➡️ buff.ly/qXqX41I
Join us + @smartgrowthusa.bsky.social for a webinar diving into the latest #DangerousByDesign report. #ActivePeople
🗓️ September 23
RSVP ➡️ buff.ly/qXqX41I
Let's test out some ideas before we spend millions.
www.instagram.com/reel/DcCHQM2...
www.instagram.com/reel/DcCHQM2...
August 26, 2026 at 1:35 AM
Let's test out some ideas before we spend millions.
www.instagram.com/reel/DcCHQM2...
www.instagram.com/reel/DcCHQM2...
School Without Walls is ranked #5 in the country. @dcpublicschools.bsky.social has cut a teacher every year for the past 3 because the student population isn't growing. It can't grow because the building can't accommodate any more students.
www.usnews.com/education/be...
www.usnews.com/education/be...
www.usnews.com
August 26, 2026 at 1:31 AM
School Without Walls is ranked #5 in the country. @dcpublicschools.bsky.social has cut a teacher every year for the past 3 because the student population isn't growing. It can't grow because the building can't accommodate any more students.
www.usnews.com/education/be...
www.usnews.com/education/be...
Planning as misdirection
When planning has no bearing on what we actually build, fund, or allow, planning stops being a tool to make places better and starts becoming an expensive distraction from the real decision-making
Don't forget to subscribe!
bethosbornesga.substack.com/p/planning-a...
When planning has no bearing on what we actually build, fund, or allow, planning stops being a tool to make places better and starts becoming an expensive distraction from the real decision-making
Don't forget to subscribe!
bethosbornesga.substack.com/p/planning-a...
August 20, 2026 at 10:45 PM
Planning as misdirection
When planning has no bearing on what we actually build, fund, or allow, planning stops being a tool to make places better and starts becoming an expensive distraction from the real decision-making
Don't forget to subscribe!
bethosbornesga.substack.com/p/planning-a...
When planning has no bearing on what we actually build, fund, or allow, planning stops being a tool to make places better and starts becoming an expensive distraction from the real decision-making
Don't forget to subscribe!
bethosbornesga.substack.com/p/planning-a...
Tell me that safety is your lowest priority.
USDOT: "We are the only country in the world unwilling to sign on to a nonbinding resolution calling for safer roads."
www.forbes.com/sites/christ...
USDOT: "We are the only country in the world unwilling to sign on to a nonbinding resolution calling for safer roads."
www.forbes.com/sites/christ...
www.forbes.com
August 20, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Tell me that safety is your lowest priority.
USDOT: "We are the only country in the world unwilling to sign on to a nonbinding resolution calling for safer roads."
www.forbes.com/sites/christ...
USDOT: "We are the only country in the world unwilling to sign on to a nonbinding resolution calling for safer roads."
www.forbes.com/sites/christ...
2015 Amtrak projections for Gulf Coast rail:
30,700 riders, $704,000 revenue annually
2025-2026 Mardi Gras rail service, actual:
150,000 riders, $5,200,000 revenue with high customer satisfaction
t4america.org/2026/08/18/o...
30,700 riders, $704,000 revenue annually
2025-2026 Mardi Gras rail service, actual:
150,000 riders, $5,200,000 revenue with high customer satisfaction
t4america.org/2026/08/18/o...
One year in, the Mardi Gras rail line is bringing broader benefits to the Gulf Coast region - Transportation For America
For 15 years, Transportation for America worked with the Southern Rail Commission, federal officials like Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker, and other partners to restore passenger rail service to the Gul...
t4america.org
August 18, 2026 at 6:31 PM
2015 Amtrak projections for Gulf Coast rail:
30,700 riders, $704,000 revenue annually
2025-2026 Mardi Gras rail service, actual:
150,000 riders, $5,200,000 revenue with high customer satisfaction
t4america.org/2026/08/18/o...
30,700 riders, $704,000 revenue annually
2025-2026 Mardi Gras rail service, actual:
150,000 riders, $5,200,000 revenue with high customer satisfaction
t4america.org/2026/08/18/o...
@SmartGrowthUSA’s Form-Based Code Award is back, and this year's focus is on codes that deliver better public health outcomes.
SGA is also debuting two new awards for Zoning Advocacy and Zoning Innovation. All three awards are now open.
Learn more: www.smartgrowthamerica.org/services/czs...
SGA is also debuting two new awards for Zoning Advocacy and Zoning Innovation. All three awards are now open.
Learn more: www.smartgrowthamerica.org/services/czs...
CZS Awards - Applications - Smart Growth America
www.smartgrowthamerica.org
August 18, 2026 at 3:11 PM
@SmartGrowthUSA’s Form-Based Code Award is back, and this year's focus is on codes that deliver better public health outcomes.
SGA is also debuting two new awards for Zoning Advocacy and Zoning Innovation. All three awards are now open.
Learn more: www.smartgrowthamerica.org/services/czs...
SGA is also debuting two new awards for Zoning Advocacy and Zoning Innovation. All three awards are now open.
Learn more: www.smartgrowthamerica.org/services/czs...
Same Ball. Same Lucy. Same Result.
Congress is negotiating a new “bipartisan” bill and praising small "wins," as though the administration hasn’t already shown us exactly what happens next. substack.com/home/post/p-...
Congress is negotiating a new “bipartisan” bill and praising small "wins," as though the administration hasn’t already shown us exactly what happens next. substack.com/home/post/p-...
August 13, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Same Ball. Same Lucy. Same Result.
Congress is negotiating a new “bipartisan” bill and praising small "wins," as though the administration hasn’t already shown us exactly what happens next. substack.com/home/post/p-...
Congress is negotiating a new “bipartisan” bill and praising small "wins," as though the administration hasn’t already shown us exactly what happens next. substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted
Wednesday's Most Read # 3 - Same Ball. Same Lucy. Same Result. link.theoverheadwire.com/gjxyq @bethosborne.bsky.social
Same Ball. Same Lucy. Same Result.
Congress is negotiating a new “bipartisan” bill and praising small "wins," as though the administration hasn’t already shown us exactly what happens next.
link.theoverheadwire.com
August 12, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Wednesday's Most Read # 3 - Same Ball. Same Lucy. Same Result. link.theoverheadwire.com/gjxyq @bethosborne.bsky.social