NACTO (National Association of City Transportation Officials)

Nashville, Tennessee a longtime NACTO affiliate member, is now officially a full member! Recent investments in safety and transportation infrastructure are further enriching the city's already vibrant culture and diverse neighborhoods. Mayor Freddie O'Connell has prioritized transportation, launching the "Choose How You Move" program and making major investments in sidewalks, signals, service and safety. Last November, voters approved dedicated funding for these vital improvements.

In 1925, A. Phillip Randolph organized the all-Black service staff of Pullman sleeping cars, creating the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. This was the first Black labor union in the United States and sought to improve the working conditions of Pullman Co. porters and maids. Later, as a Civil Rights Movement leader, he chaired the 1963 March on Washington. Transportation is about more than moving people; it’s also about the people that move transportation. This #BlackHistoryMonth, we’re reflecting on transportation’s role in racism and telling the undertold Black history of transportation.

NACTO’s website is a major influence in the transportation industry—in 2024 alone, half a million people visited. We’re proud of how much we’ve improved this resource for you. Already forgetting what the old site looked like? Check out some of the before-and-afters!

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Granville Woods invented numerous railroad systems that are still in use today, including an electrical system trains use to communicate their location and avoid collisions. Transportation is about more than moving people; it’s also about the people that move transportation. This #BlackHistoryMonth, we’re reflecting on transportation’s role in racism and telling the undertold Black history of transportation.

In 1870, Charlton Tandy organized boycotts and direct actions to integrate St. Louis streetcars. After an 1868 law prohibited segregation, racist habits still remained, prompting Tandy to forcibly stop streetcars so Black riders could board and ride safely. Transportation is about more than moving people; it’s also about the people that move transportation. This #BlackHistoryMonth, we’re reflecting on transportation’s role in racism and telling the undertold Black history of transportation.

What's new in the third edition of the Urban Bikeway Design Guide? A lot! We've updated information from the second edition and from two previous publications: "Designing for All Ages and Abilities" and "Don't Give Up at the Intersection." And we've added brand-new content, including: ● Effective leadership strategies to unlock the resources, structure, and backing necessary to change city streets ● Technical guidance on planning and implementing full bike networks ● Detailed design guidance for integrating bikeways into roundabouts and traffic circles ● Best practices for regular operations and maintenance of bike facilities ● Policy and design practices to ensure access to bike facilities during construction disruptions

In the 1880s, Matthew Cherry patented improvements to the velocipede, a pedal-less predecessor to modern bikes. He also invented the tricycle, which in our time has evolved into a more stable and accessible option for many people to travel than standard two-wheel bikes. Transportation is about more than moving people; it’s also about the people that move transportation. This #BlackHistoryMonth, we’re reflecting on transportation’s role in racism and telling the undertold Black history of transportation.

Great to see Forbes cover our fantastic new third edition of the Urban Bikeway Design Guide. Have you gotten your copy yet? https://lnkd.in/egT3jMZY

Member registration for the 2025 Designing Cities Conference is open! Staff from NACTO member agencies can register for an early bird rate of $750 until February 19. Non-members can register beginning on February 19 The annual NACTO Designing Cities Conference brings together over 1,000 people passionate about advancing the state of transportation in North American cities—engineers, planners, government agency leaders, elected officials, advocates, and other transportation professionals of all career levels. In 2025, we will be hosted by our member District Department of Transportation (DDOT). We look forward to bringing the NACTO movement together in Washington, D.C. from May 28 to May 31 for another great event! Register now: https://lnkd.in/emx-nyAC

1854: Elizabeth Jennings Graham was kicked off two trolleys on her way to church—first a half-empty white-only car, then a car for Black residents because it was too full. Her resulting lawsuit led to the desegregation of public transit in New York City. Transportation is about more than moving people; it’s also about the people that move transportation. This #BlackHistoryMonth, we’re reflecting on transportation’s role in racism and tell the undertold Black history of transportation.