alex block
@alexblock.bsky.social
cities, transportation, transit, and other intermittent discussion.
So, so many American cities could’ve been like Toronto, had we simply not ripped out all of the streetcars.
November 28, 2025 at 2:48 PM
So, so many American cities could’ve been like Toronto, had we simply not ripped out all of the streetcars.
The visuals here are fantastic; you also get the sense that this might inevitably be a Embarcadero or West Side Highway situation - inaction until an outside event forces the closure.
“A Highway Is Crumbling. New York Can’t Agree on How to Fix It.”
— www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
— www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
New York’s BQE Is Falling Apart. The City Can’t Agree on How to Fix It.
The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway has exceeded its life span. Clashing visions have hindered a solution.
www.nytimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:44 PM
The visuals here are fantastic; you also get the sense that this might inevitably be a Embarcadero or West Side Highway situation - inaction until an outside event forces the closure.
Population density is one thing, but parking is a huge factor in transit ridership.
Parking spot density various Greater Tokyo locations from Shibuya to Chiba New Town, plus Thai, German, UK and US data.
Which basically says my hometown/borough has the least parking in the world.
Best part of England indeed.
Which basically says my hometown/borough has the least parking in the world.
Best part of England indeed.
November 28, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Population density is one thing, but parking is a huge factor in transit ridership.
NCIS: Duluth telling the tales of America’s furthest inland port
I only watch CBS for sports and I'm always amazed at these copaganda franchises that have somehow spawned six different shows with twelve seasons each. And all of them called "NCIS: Duluth" or "Ambulance Firemen Marshals" or some shit.
November 28, 2025 at 12:07 AM
NCIS: Duluth telling the tales of America’s furthest inland port
HES RIGHT BEHIND YOU
November 27, 2025 at 12:39 AM
HES RIGHT BEHIND YOU
never heard of it
WATERGATE: 2512 VIRGINIA AVE NW, WASHINGTON DC 20037-9997
November 25, 2025 at 3:42 AM
never heard of it
man, the hits keep coming for Rad… 😔
CPSC Warns Consumers to Immediately Stop Using Batteries for E-Bikes from Rad Power Bikes Due to Fire Hazard; Risk of Serious Injury or Death www.cpsc.gov/Warnings/202...
November 24, 2025 at 7:07 PM
man, the hits keep coming for Rad… 😔
Normalcy returns to the universe; Wisconsin wins against Illinois
November 23, 2025 at 3:51 AM
Normalcy returns to the universe; Wisconsin wins against Illinois
Reposted by alex block
I think entirely too much about how California’s climate plan explicitly says that converting to EVs is not nearly enough to meet our greenhouse gas reduction targets so we need to reduce VMT 25% by 2030, and then we do basically nothing to try to achieve that goal
November 22, 2025 at 2:48 AM
I think entirely too much about how California’s climate plan explicitly says that converting to EVs is not nearly enough to meet our greenhouse gas reduction targets so we need to reduce VMT 25% by 2030, and then we do basically nothing to try to achieve that goal
Yes.
For all the abundance conversations, housing is an obvious focus area. But it’s not only about aggregate levels, but about location and access.
For all the abundance conversations, housing is an obvious focus area. But it’s not only about aggregate levels, but about location and access.
which i think speaks to the most important point, which is that a house is not just a house: it is a location, and far and away the most important thing about that location is how well it lets you access good jobs
www.amazon.com/Order-withou...
www.amazon.com/Order-withou...
Order without Design: How Markets Shape Cities
Order without Design: How Markets Shape Cities [Bertaud, Alain] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Order without Design: How Markets Shape Cities
www.amazon.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Yes.
For all the abundance conversations, housing is an obvious focus area. But it’s not only about aggregate levels, but about location and access.
For all the abundance conversations, housing is an obvious focus area. But it’s not only about aggregate levels, but about location and access.
Reposted by alex block
Despite claims to the contrary, space crime is actually at historic lows.
November 19, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Despite claims to the contrary, space crime is actually at historic lows.
This overstates the preference, imo, because most people never actually have the choice.
And where the choice does exist, the market signals (prices) indicate the opposite preference!
And where the choice does exist, the market signals (prices) indicate the opposite preference!
Right, this is true, but the OVERWHELMING evidence of the past 100 years of American life is that vastly more people want space and a car than a smaller unit and a car-free lifestyle. This is mostly why the suburban share of US population has grown relentlessly for the entire 20th and 21st century
Some people put a premium on space in my experience, others put a premium on not having to have a car and not being isolated out in the suburbs
November 19, 2025 at 1:15 AM
This overstates the preference, imo, because most people never actually have the choice.
And where the choice does exist, the market signals (prices) indicate the opposite preference!
And where the choice does exist, the market signals (prices) indicate the opposite preference!
Reposted by alex block
Major announcement in just-posted board documents: DC's Metro is moving fast toward automation.
Over 15 years, Metro plans full automation & platform screen doors, which the agency says will improve safety, reliability, & travel times—at reduced costs.
www.wmata.com/about/board/...
Over 15 years, Metro plans full automation & platform screen doors, which the agency says will improve safety, reliability, & travel times—at reduced costs.
www.wmata.com/about/board/...
November 17, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Major announcement in just-posted board documents: DC's Metro is moving fast toward automation.
Over 15 years, Metro plans full automation & platform screen doors, which the agency says will improve safety, reliability, & travel times—at reduced costs.
www.wmata.com/about/board/...
Over 15 years, Metro plans full automation & platform screen doors, which the agency says will improve safety, reliability, & travel times—at reduced costs.
www.wmata.com/about/board/...
Gah this framing drives me nuts. What debate?
Here’s a nice article on the design history of the mobile lounge, framed around a fake “debate” instead of an actual description of the airport’s future plans
Here’s a nice article on the design history of the mobile lounge, framed around a fake “debate” instead of an actual description of the airport’s future plans
November 16, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Gah this framing drives me nuts. What debate?
Here’s a nice article on the design history of the mobile lounge, framed around a fake “debate” instead of an actual description of the airport’s future plans
Here’s a nice article on the design history of the mobile lounge, framed around a fake “debate” instead of an actual description of the airport’s future plans
Of all the sad fan crowd shots, the Bama ones are always the best
November 15, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Of all the sad fan crowd shots, the Bama ones are always the best
A lesson going forward: the processes required to spend the money matter just as much as the level of spending itself.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed 4 years ago. In new research @urbaninstitute.bsky.social we study its effects.
US transport spending increased by 30%, but:
—Funding for non-highway projects flatlined
—Construction cost increases resulted in no actual increase in infrastructure
US transport spending increased by 30%, but:
—Funding for non-highway projects flatlined
—Construction cost increases resulted in no actual increase in infrastructure
Federal Infrastructure Spending on Transportation, Four Years after the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is up for reauthorization in 2026. New analysis shows that the act increased spending on transportation infrastructure, but…
www.urban.org
November 12, 2025 at 7:57 PM
A lesson going forward: the processes required to spend the money matter just as much as the level of spending itself.
I had never considered the possibility of a hard landing in a mobile lounge…
A mobile lounge carrying passengers crashed at Washington Dulles International Airport on Monday, injuring more than a dozen people and causing some damage to the terminal.
Mobile Lounge Crashes at Dulles Airport, Causing Injuries and Damage
More than a dozen people were hurt and will be evaluated at a hospital. Air travel has been hampered in recent days by the government shutdown.
nyti.ms
November 11, 2025 at 1:04 AM
I had never considered the possibility of a hard landing in a mobile lounge…
My 3rd grader was a bit disappointed none of his classmates knew today was the day of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
November 11, 2025 at 12:52 AM
My 3rd grader was a bit disappointed none of his classmates knew today was the day of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
lol *this* is Luke Fickell’s first win against a ranked team at UW.
November 9, 2025 at 12:52 AM
lol *this* is Luke Fickell’s first win against a ranked team at UW.
The legend lives on!
November 9, 2025 at 12:29 AM
The legend lives on!
The punter with the most passing yards is one thing; 2 of 10 for zero (0) yards is another
Badgers up 13-10. Some real @sickoscommittee.org stuff here (yes the punter is the leading passer)
November 9, 2025 at 12:14 AM
The punter with the most passing yards is one thing; 2 of 10 for zero (0) yards is another