Ben S
@bensh3.bsky.social
Transit planning & geospatial analysis
Ed Bacon fan | 平均地权 upholder | Philadelphia maneto
Posts are mine only and don't reflect anyone else
Ed Bacon fan | 平均地权 upholder | Philadelphia maneto
Posts are mine only and don't reflect anyone else
One Weird Trick to defeat councilmanic prerogative
You may've heard that at-large city councils represent citywide interests but violate the Voting Rights Act, dooming us to single member wards with "member deference"
But!
Cambridge's "Single Transferable Vote" system, a type of citywide RCV, eliminates member deference without violating VRA!!
But!
Cambridge's "Single Transferable Vote" system, a type of citywide RCV, eliminates member deference without violating VRA!!
@aarmlovi.bsky.social coming in and writing about Cambridge like he got a degree at the K school or something.
commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/how-...
commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/how-...
December 1, 2025 at 4:37 AM
One Weird Trick to defeat councilmanic prerogative
Reposted by Ben S
The REM is great, but the tragedy might be that expertise fading away without another project
REM de l'Est was rejected because some people disliked the elevated portion above a 6-lane road
When projects get derailed so easily, each new project takes a long time and you always lose your experience
REM de l'Est was rejected because some people disliked the elevated portion above a 6-lane road
When projects get derailed so easily, each new project takes a long time and you always lose your experience
November 30, 2025 at 11:41 PM
The REM is great, but the tragedy might be that expertise fading away without another project
REM de l'Est was rejected because some people disliked the elevated portion above a 6-lane road
When projects get derailed so easily, each new project takes a long time and you always lose your experience
REM de l'Est was rejected because some people disliked the elevated portion above a 6-lane road
When projects get derailed so easily, each new project takes a long time and you always lose your experience
The forced bus transfers are an underrated part of REM's success rather than inconvenience, and it's instructive to compare to PATCO: although they share similarities in land use and orientation, NJ Transit was never forced to divert its buses going direct to Philly; PATCO ridership never broke 40k
November 30, 2025 at 11:05 PM
The forced bus transfers are an underrated part of REM's success rather than inconvenience, and it's instructive to compare to PATCO: although they share similarities in land use and orientation, NJ Transit was never forced to divert its buses going direct to Philly; PATCO ridership never broke 40k
Reposted by Ben S
I recently learned from a CARB official that Chinese car companies are selling 100,000 EVs in Mexico every year. Spotted this Jaecoo 7 PHEV near SD. Starts at $32,000. 55 miles electric range.
November 30, 2025 at 7:19 PM
I recently learned from a CARB official that Chinese car companies are selling 100,000 EVs in Mexico every year. Spotted this Jaecoo 7 PHEV near SD. Starts at $32,000. 55 miles electric range.
Reposted by Ben S
Just now heard about AECOM’s involvement in the White House ballroom project, and I feel like that should be a bigger deal in the architecture world.
November 30, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Just now heard about AECOM’s involvement in the White House ballroom project, and I feel like that should be a bigger deal in the architecture world.
Reposted by Ben S
I feel like the two dimensional political compass for local elected democrats are:
1. Mod or Prog
2. Interested in solving any local problems whatsoever vs deferring to local gatekeeper assholes.
1. Mod or Prog
2. Interested in solving any local problems whatsoever vs deferring to local gatekeeper assholes.
It’s incredibly funny people flipped out about a guy running the most standard ass municipal government policy playbook imaginable.
Soon small businesses won’t have to wait for Small Business Saturday to get attention from their Mayor.
Some changes that they can look forward to:
Some changes that they can look forward to:
November 29, 2025 at 11:46 PM
I feel like the two dimensional political compass for local elected democrats are:
1. Mod or Prog
2. Interested in solving any local problems whatsoever vs deferring to local gatekeeper assholes.
1. Mod or Prog
2. Interested in solving any local problems whatsoever vs deferring to local gatekeeper assholes.
Reposted by Ben S
A really welcome reinvention of a fairly standard five story infill apartment building from a newish local architecture firm, Org chicagoyimby.com/2024/10/plan...
November 29, 2025 at 12:07 AM
A really welcome reinvention of a fairly standard five story infill apartment building from a newish local architecture firm, Org chicagoyimby.com/2024/10/plan...
Feeling really sad for Pittsburgh transit that their transit advocacy groups seem opposed on principle to network-wide redesigns. How do you focus on instead "improving existing service" when you're in a statewide funding crisis?
It’s not looking great for the Pittsburgh bus revolution.
Pittsburgh Regional Transit urged to stop redesign of bus routes, fix ridership, on-time problems - Pittsburgh Union Progress
With the funding crisis at Pittsburgh Regional Transit put on hold for at least the next two years, the agency is ready to move ahead early next year with the next step of its bus line redesign. But t...
www.unionprogress.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Feeling really sad for Pittsburgh transit that their transit advocacy groups seem opposed on principle to network-wide redesigns. How do you focus on instead "improving existing service" when you're in a statewide funding crisis?
Reposted by Ben S
Just got the word that the Trump administration is throwing a brilliant medical researcher friend of mine out of the country because they’re Chinese. Insane and unreal. Literally doing research in the US to help the US
November 29, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Just got the word that the Trump administration is throwing a brilliant medical researcher friend of mine out of the country because they’re Chinese. Insane and unreal. Literally doing research in the US to help the US
Reposted by Ben S
From Frederick Douglass's 1867 "Composite Nation" speech, a defense of Chinese migration to the United States at a time when anti-Chinese sentiment was intensifying.
teachingamericanhistory.org/document/our...
teachingamericanhistory.org/document/our...
November 28, 2025 at 7:01 PM
From Frederick Douglass's 1867 "Composite Nation" speech, a defense of Chinese migration to the United States at a time when anti-Chinese sentiment was intensifying.
teachingamericanhistory.org/document/our...
teachingamericanhistory.org/document/our...
Reposted by Ben S
this is the second hit and run death on that stretch of market in a week jesus fucking christ
A woman is dead after she was hit by a car in University City on Thanksgiving.
www.audacy.com/kywnewsradio...
www.audacy.com/kywnewsradio...
Woman struck and killed while crossing street in University City
It happened at 36th and Market streets just before 4 p.m. While attempting to flee the scene, the driver struck another car a few blocks away, then tried to run away but was apprehended by police.
www.audacy.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:20 PM
this is the second hit and run death on that stretch of market in a week jesus fucking christ
Reposted by Ben S
I stopped by the SEPTA holiday pop up store and got a photo with Paws! 🥰
November 28, 2025 at 5:15 PM
I stopped by the SEPTA holiday pop up store and got a photo with Paws! 🥰
Reposted by Ben S
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 27, 2025 at 10:22 PM
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.
If PennDOT is studying flood barriers on the Vine St Expy, there's no reason it shouldn't also include a full cap west to Logan Square!
November 27, 2025 at 7:19 PM
If PennDOT is studying flood barriers on the Vine St Expy, there's no reason it shouldn't also include a full cap west to Logan Square!
Reposted by Ben S
I’m pretty sure this is the only historical marker in Philadelphia that uses the words “glorious” and “precious.”
November 27, 2025 at 4:08 PM
I’m pretty sure this is the only historical marker in Philadelphia that uses the words “glorious” and “precious.”
RIP Bob AM Stern who somehow gave Philly some banger contemporary buildings, likely more than any other city
November 27, 2025 at 6:49 PM
RIP Bob AM Stern who somehow gave Philly some banger contemporary buildings, likely more than any other city
Reposted by Ben S
Sad to see that Bob Stern passed away. He brought a lot to the field of architecture by understanding what worked from the past and knowing how to bring that into the present. Also he didn't use a computer, which sounds fantastic right now
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/a...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/a...
Robert A.M. Stern, Architect Who Reinvented Prewar Splendor, Dies at 86
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Sad to see that Bob Stern passed away. He brought a lot to the field of architecture by understanding what worked from the past and knowing how to bring that into the present. Also he didn't use a computer, which sounds fantastic right now
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/a...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/a...
Reposted by Ben S
big late breaking news: the market monitor for the largest energy grid in the u.s., covering much of the midwest and mid-atlantic, has called to block new data centers connections to the grid, saying current course of growth assures regular blackouts
No more PJM data centers unless they can be reliably served: market monitor
The PJM Interconnection’s market monitor urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to rule that large data centers can only come online if the grid operator can still meet reliability metrics.
www.utilitydive.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:17 AM
big late breaking news: the market monitor for the largest energy grid in the u.s., covering much of the midwest and mid-atlantic, has called to block new data centers connections to the grid, saying current course of growth assures regular blackouts
Reposted by Ben S
Reposted by Ben S
Wang Fuk Court's contractor allegedly covered all the windows in foamboard x.com/heunggong101...
November 26, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Wang Fuk Court's contractor allegedly covered all the windows in foamboard x.com/heunggong101...
Reposted by Ben S
Great news! Removal of US DOT/FTA grant provision trying to force cooperation with immigration enforcement based on court ruling.
November 26, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Great news! Removal of US DOT/FTA grant provision trying to force cooperation with immigration enforcement based on court ruling.
Reposted by Ben S
Philadelphia can’t set the speed limits on roads within its own borders. Only the state can.
So city transportation officials want to persuade Harrisburg to give it the power to set speed limits more appropriate to the density of Philadelphia.
So city transportation officials want to persuade Harrisburg to give it the power to set speed limits more appropriate to the density of Philadelphia.
Philly wants to set its own speed limits, and other highlights of the city’s new Vision Zero report
Vision Zero report shows that traffic deaths in Philadelphia remain elevated compared to the five years before the coronavirus pandemic.
www.inquirer.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Philadelphia can’t set the speed limits on roads within its own borders. Only the state can.
So city transportation officials want to persuade Harrisburg to give it the power to set speed limits more appropriate to the density of Philadelphia.
So city transportation officials want to persuade Harrisburg to give it the power to set speed limits more appropriate to the density of Philadelphia.
Reposted by Ben S
there's a ~complete rough draft of Urban Analysis up on my website (as in, code executes all the way through)
knaaptime.com/urban_analysis
still lots of editing to do, but if you're into cities, Python, or spatial analysis, give it a look and let me know what's wrong :)
knaaptime.com/urban_analysis
still lots of editing to do, but if you're into cities, Python, or spatial analysis, give it a look and let me know what's wrong :)
June 9, 2025 at 6:10 PM
there's a ~complete rough draft of Urban Analysis up on my website (as in, code executes all the way through)
knaaptime.com/urban_analysis
still lots of editing to do, but if you're into cities, Python, or spatial analysis, give it a look and let me know what's wrong :)
knaaptime.com/urban_analysis
still lots of editing to do, but if you're into cities, Python, or spatial analysis, give it a look and let me know what's wrong :)
Reposted by Ben S
Trains to boats
November 25, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Trains to boats
Reposted by Ben S
"there are no third spaces anymore" wrong. blast furnace
November 25, 2025 at 12:59 AM
"there are no third spaces anymore" wrong. blast furnace