alex block
@alexblock.bsky.social
cities, transportation, transit, and other intermittent discussion.
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
“That decision would likely rest with the District of Columbia Council, which will lease the stadium to the Commanders, and the National Park Service…”
Well that will be an interesting Council session…
www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...
Well that will be an interesting Council session…
www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...
Sources: Trump wants D.C. stadium named for him
A senior White House source said there have been back-channel communications with a member of the Commanders ownership group, led by Josh Harris, to express Trump's desire to have the $3.7 billion dom...
www.espn.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:07 PM
“That decision would likely rest with the District of Columbia Council, which will lease the stadium to the Commanders, and the National Park Service…”
Well that will be an interesting Council session…
www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...
Well that will be an interesting Council session…
www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...
Reposted by alex block
The way the Big Ten handles ice hockey TV is just brutal. No. 1 Michigan State vs No. 3 Penn State tonight, top teams in the country with a future No. 1 NHL pick, and it's relegated to BTN+ streaming. Come on.
November 8, 2025 at 12:48 AM
The way the Big Ten handles ice hockey TV is just brutal. No. 1 Michigan State vs No. 3 Penn State tonight, top teams in the country with a future No. 1 NHL pick, and it's relegated to BTN+ streaming. Come on.
Reposted by alex block
Kiss and Ride is not just an American thing, either -- here's the Swedish wayfinding for it.
November 7, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Kiss and Ride is not just an American thing, either -- here's the Swedish wayfinding for it.
It’s interesting to compare the grumbling here (that I share!) about these requirements, and compare against a longstanding policy that has much the same effect - DC’s building projection regulations.
planning.dc.gov/sites/defaul...
planning.dc.gov/sites/defaul...
November 7, 2025 at 3:13 PM
It’s interesting to compare the grumbling here (that I share!) about these requirements, and compare against a longstanding policy that has much the same effect - DC’s building projection regulations.
planning.dc.gov/sites/defaul...
planning.dc.gov/sites/defaul...
Not sure what this says about transit; it doesn’t say anything good about the state of data analysis
I’m not sure what it says about the state of U.S. transit, but only five states move more people by rail each day than the people mover at Atlanta’s airport. By my estimate, it’s one of the most efficient rail systems in the world.
November 7, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Not sure what this says about transit; it doesn’t say anything good about the state of data analysis
I hope Chris McIntosh is also polishing his resume.
Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh has announced that head coach Luke Fickell will return to coach the Badgers in 2026.
At 2-6 this season and 0-5 in the Big Ten, there has been considerable speculation about Fickell’s job status in the midst of his third season with the program.
At 2-6 this season and 0-5 in the Big Ten, there has been considerable speculation about Fickell’s job status in the midst of his third season with the program.
November 7, 2025 at 12:22 AM
I hope Chris McIntosh is also polishing his resume.
now that’s good transit content
November 5, 2025 at 2:58 AM
now that’s good transit content
win or lose, we booze
(don’t need the “win” option in there much these days, tbh)
(don’t need the “win” option in there much these days, tbh)
okay the kids are off to school so
I filed dozens of FOIAs to learn what programs were selling the most booze
the answer is obviously Wisconsin (by a LOT lmao) but here's who else cracked the top of the list. raw sales data and per capita data here:
www.extrapointsmb.com/p/who-is-sel...
I filed dozens of FOIAs to learn what programs were selling the most booze
the answer is obviously Wisconsin (by a LOT lmao) but here's who else cracked the top of the list. raw sales data and per capita data here:
www.extrapointsmb.com/p/who-is-sel...
Who is selling the most booze at football games this year? We FOIA'd to find out.
SURPRISE! Wisconsin football fans enjoy adult beverages, film at 11.
www.extrapointsmb.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:52 PM
win or lose, we booze
(don’t need the “win” option in there much these days, tbh)
(don’t need the “win” option in there much these days, tbh)