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D.C. Council Evaluates Aftermath of Snowstorms
February 27, 2010 – 4:22 am | 3 Comments

D.C. Council Evaluates Aftermath of Snowstorms

More questions were asked than answered at this morning’s public oversight hearing on the District’s response to the recent “snow events” (i.e. back-to-back blizzards in February.) The hearing, held in the John A. Wilson Building, …

Pedestrians Still Struggling with Snow
February 25, 2010 – 1:34 am | No Comment

Pedestrians Still Struggling with Snow

For many of us, memories of Snowmageddon and Snoverkill are fading along with the melting snow.  But the region’s recent snowstorms are still affecting the lives of pedestrians in Columbia, Maryland.  Even worse, these pedestrians …

Snow Removal Best Practices: The Right Path
February 20, 2010 – 4:23 am | 2 Comments

Snow Removal Best Practices: The Right Path

The Washington, D.C. metro area has the second highest percentage of public transit commuters in the United States, behind only New York City. Many of those riders walk to the Metro or the bus, …

“Snow Helpers” Mobilize to Clear Sidewalks, Bus Stops
February 17, 2010 – 12:39 am | 2 Comments

“Snow Helpers” Mobilize to Clear Sidewalks, Bus Stops

At the end of the day on Friday, I created “Snow Helper” Watch Areas on SeeClickFix, with the advice of SCF Co-Founder Ben Berkowitz, in an attempt to keep track of all the snow-related issues …

Snowstorm Erases Pedestrian Connections in D.C. – Again
February 10, 2010 – 4:28 am | 6 Comments

Snowstorm Erases Pedestrian Connections in D.C. – Again

Washington, D.C. does a pretty good job of plowing major roads after snowstorms. However, sidewalks and crosswalks are a different story. A little background: I live in the District because I wanted to …

TheCityFix Report on SeeClickFix Results in Improved Safety for Pedestrians at Critical Intersection
February 6, 2010 – 2:04 am | No Comment

TheCityFix Report on SeeClickFix Results in Improved Safety for Pedestrians at Critical Intersection

It all started four months ago, when TheCityFix blogger David Daddio reported an issue on SeeClickFix about a dangerous intersection at U Street and Florida Ave., east of 18th Street NW. Over just several days, …

NPR Launches ‘On the Road to Safety’ Series
November 24, 2009 – 6:54 am | One Comment

NPR Launches ‘On the Road to Safety’ Series

TheCityFix just came across this great series that American National Public Radio (NPR) began yesterday. The impetus for the series was the realization that apparently last year saw one of the lowest levels of driving …

Not Letting the Perfect Be the Enemy of the Good
October 30, 2009 – 1:01 am | Comments Off

Not Letting the Perfect Be the Enemy of the Good

Famed American architect and urban planner Daniel Burnham is often quoted as saying, “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably will not themselves be realized.” But perhaps in …

An Easy Fix: Build Out New Hampshire Ave Sidewalk
July 15, 2009 – 4:57 pm | No Comment

An Easy Fix: Build Out New Hampshire Ave Sidewalk

Mostly I’m skeptical of small attempts to reclaim a particular patch of land from cars. I don’t generally think that the war will be won battling block by block, but rather through macro policy shifts. …

Uncovering The Militarized City
July 8, 2009 – 12:49 pm | 2 Comments

Uncovering The Militarized City

I keep thinking about this story. It’s not a particularly important one: DDOT used the July 4th fireworks to test their Fast Forward program, which allows for very quick movement out of the city by …