Photo by Chicago 2016 Photos on Flickr.

‘Effective’ DC teachers not effectively distributed

Results of the new DCPS IMPACT evaluation system show that “Highly Effective” teachers are most frequently found in schools in more affluent parts of the city, particularly Ward 3. (Post)  

Metro escalator model problematic

Many of Metro’s more than 500 escalators are a particular model that was discontinued 30 years ago and has caused problems for other transit agencies in the past. (Post)  

Embassy wants parking to buy more cars

The Chinese Embassy wants neighbors to support a request for more parking (huge PDF) at their 2300 Connecticut Avenue site. It turns out the Chinese allow their diplomats to buy cars in the US, then send them back to China duty-free. (Dupont Current, Geoff H.)  (Tip: Geoff H.)  

LA TV has windshield perspective too

Full Disclosure (an Emmy award winning local LA political show) has protest video against LA’s parking meters. While a county planner inadvertently proves that the pay-and-display machines are indeed confusing, disgruntled residents maintain paying for parking at all is “theft.” (Parking Today, Michael Perkins)  (Tip: Michael Perkins)  

Street crossers like lemmings?

A new report shows that pedestrians are more likely to cross a street if a person next to them moves into the street first, and that this trend was much stronger in men than women. In reporting, WTOP calls it all “jaywalking” even though the word never appears in the report abstract. (WTOP)  

ICC part 1 opening soon

The first part of the Intercounty Connector could open next month. David explains the induced demand drawbacks and refutes AAA’s assertion it will improve safety. (Patch)  

NYC gets camera-enforced bus lanes

Cameras will now adorn New York City’s Select Bus Service buses to catch cars illegally using the bus lanes. What would it take to do the same for the 70s buses on 7th Street in Chinatown? (Streetsblog, Eric Fidler)  (Tip: Eric Fidler)  

Suburban poor struggle in recession

As more poor families are living outside of city centers, they take on new struggles, particularly transportation. Tobytown, a poor enclave in otherwise affluent Potomac, Maryland, is experiencing this first hand. (Post)  

And…

After months of wrangling with neighbors and the ANC, Eckington

Bloomingdale mainstay Big Bear Cafe will get a liquor license. (Housing Complex) … When it came time for a family in Davis, California to move, they skipped the U-haul and hauled their belongings by bike. (Streetsblog) … When it was overwhelmed by riders attending the Giants World Series Champion Parade, San Francisco’s BART simply opened the fare gates to improve traffic flow. (Times)