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This is the era of the glass and steel airport. As if made from the same mold, shiny, glittering terminals have become a status symbol for any city with aspirations. But all of this is a world away from the remoteness of Russia's Arctic regions and the Siberian wilderness [...] built in the mid-20th century when the Soviet Union saw in air transport a way to expand the state's reach to every corner of its territory, even if that meant little more than a dirt runway and a radio shack. — cnn.com
A collection of Russia's historic wooden airports are the antithesis of our current experience of most urban airports. Rather than immense glass and steel constructions, these old structures are made of simplistic wooden designs. While many may look dilapidated, several are still in operation... View full entry
For the past few years, the site Streetsblog has been shedding light on some of America's most dreadful public transit systems with their competition for the "Sorriest Bus Stop in America." The tournament takes user submissions for uncomfortable, inaccessible, and sometimes, outright dangerous... View full entry
When built, Union Station was called the "Last of the Great Railway Stations." Designed by father and son team John and Donald B. Parkinson, the landmark opened in 1939 at a time when railway service was already beginning to wane. Combining Art Deco, Spanish Colonial, and Mission Revival styles... View full entry
Moving from one subway car to another is no easy task.
There is the dart-and-hustle option, entailing a sprint between entrances before the doors close, and the perilous — and prohibited — passing between the doors at the end of the car.
But the Metropolitan Transportation Authority wants to examine another route: a new generation of subway trains with open pathways between cars.
— the New York Times
Similar designs already travel through cities like Paris and Toronto, where they have been reported to increase passenger capacity by 10%.Currently, riders can face a steep fine for trying to move between subway cars.Related:Port Authority officially confirms March opening date for WTC... View full entry
Elon Musk’s vision of the Hyperloop — a lightning-fast transportation system that would shuttle passengers at speeds nearing 700-mph using low pressure tubes and air compressors — is slowly coming to fruition in the Nevada desert.
In fact, the first ever Hyperloop tubes are neatly lined up in a ditch, waiting to be assembled and then later tested by Hyperloop Technologies at a site in North Las Vegas.
— Inverse.com
The design of the Hyperloop—an iterative, multi-team process which Archinect investigated in-depth last year—will have another big leap forward during the "Hyperloop Design Weekend" this upcoming January 29-30th at Texas A&M University.However, while CEO of Hyperloop Technologies Rob... View full entry
When a new terminal called The Ark opens next year, 178,000 sq.ft of posh amenities will include everything from a resort with suites that have large flat-screen TVs, to climate-controlled stalls, showers, massages, a private space especially set aside for penguin mating, a paw-shaped dog swimming pool, a jungle for cats made of live trees...and stables full of the finest hay a horse could hope for...But how much will this cost you? Don't expect flea motel rates. — Huffington Post
More on Archinect: JetBlue tapped as prospective developer for JFK TWA terminal Ball-Nogues and other LA artists unveil public art commissions at LAX More details on BIG's cage-free “Zootopia” redesign Archinect's Lexicon: "Dark Tourism" View full entry
...there's an awful lot that U.S. cities should learn as soon as possible about the way the French design their transit networks. Whereas American light rail systems have had modest success and modern streetcar lines have questionable transit value, France operates 57 tram lines in 33 cities that together carry some 3 million passengers a day and create a fantastic balance of mobility options for urban and suburban residents alike—all built in the last 30 years. — CityLab
