Jacob Wasserman
@jacoblwasserman.bsky.social
Transportation research @uclaits.bsky.social 🚌 • UCLA Luskin alum 🐻 • Planning Commissioner @cityofsantamonica.bsky.social 🎡 • formerly @sfgov.sf.gov SFMTA 🌉 and New Haven DOT 🍕 • he/him/his • views my own
its.ucla.edu/jacob-wasserman
its.ucla.edu/jacob-wasserman
Reposted by Jacob Wasserman
In a rapidly changing world, the field of transportation must constantly evolve. This year, research teams partnered with wildfire- and freeway-impacted communities, piloted new data tools, and collaborated across disciplines to address urgent challenges. mailchi.mp/its/2025-at-...
2025 at UCLA ITS: A Year of Impact, Innovation and Tribute
As we close out 2025, we at the UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies reflect on a landmark year — one shaped by profound loss, new beginnings and momentum as we head into 2026.
mailchi.mp
December 24, 2025 at 1:25 AM
In a rapidly changing world, the field of transportation must constantly evolve. This year, research teams partnered with wildfire- and freeway-impacted communities, piloted new data tools, and collaborated across disciplines to address urgent challenges. mailchi.mp/its/2025-at-...
Reposted by Jacob Wasserman
A Santa Monica councilmember ran and won on a pro-housing platform, but is now being told by state regulators that he's not allowed to vote on housing issues because he works for a pro-housing advocacy organization. Plainly not the intent of conflict of interest law.
www.smdp.com/state-regula...
www.smdp.com/state-regula...
State regulators say Councilman Zwick is conflicted on housing votes
The California Fair Political Practices Commission has ruled that Santa Monica Mayor Pro Tem Jesse Zwick must recuse himself from housing production decisions
www.smdp.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:07 PM
A Santa Monica councilmember ran and won on a pro-housing platform, but is now being told by state regulators that he's not allowed to vote on housing issues because he works for a pro-housing advocacy organization. Plainly not the intent of conflict of interest law.
www.smdp.com/state-regula...
www.smdp.com/state-regula...
Reposted by Jacob Wasserman
We welcomed a new postdoc! Mixed-methods researcher Sang-O Kim, who works at the intersection of mobility, aging and gender www.lewis.ucla.edu/2025/02/12/n... [3/9]
New transportation postdoc looks for human stories in urban planning research - UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Sang-O Kim works at the intersection of travel behavior, aging populations, and gender, drawing on his multicultural background and mixed-method approach to study how transportation solutions can help...
www.lewis.ucla.edu
December 19, 2025 at 8:00 PM
We welcomed a new postdoc! Mixed-methods researcher Sang-O Kim, who works at the intersection of mobility, aging and gender www.lewis.ucla.edu/2025/02/12/n... [3/9]
Reposted by Jacob Wasserman
Convening industry leaders, community champions, and scholars is core to our mission of transforming research into action. Here are some highlights from 2025...
Don't forget to check out our event calendar to see what's happening next! www.its.ucla.edu/events/
#2025Reflections
Don't forget to check out our event calendar to see what's happening next! www.its.ucla.edu/events/
#2025Reflections
Events - UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies
www.its.ucla.edu
December 19, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Convening industry leaders, community champions, and scholars is core to our mission of transforming research into action. Here are some highlights from 2025...
Don't forget to check out our event calendar to see what's happening next! www.its.ucla.edu/events/
#2025Reflections
Don't forget to check out our event calendar to see what's happening next! www.its.ucla.edu/events/
#2025Reflections
NIMBYs near UCLA worked to end transit service to Hilgard Terminal, a bus stop that existed long before many of their houses.
Photo: 1949, @uclalibrary.bsky.social
Photo: 1949, @uclalibrary.bsky.social
December 18, 2025 at 8:47 PM
NIMBYs near UCLA worked to end transit service to Hilgard Terminal, a bus stop that existed long before many of their houses.
Photo: 1949, @uclalibrary.bsky.social
Photo: 1949, @uclalibrary.bsky.social
"The Planning Commission was asked to weigh in on the proposed ordinance, and among their notes were recommendations to direct revenue raised from the display district to public improvements, restrict right turns at red lights, and post such signage before any displays are installed."
December 18, 2025 at 6:32 AM
"The Planning Commission was asked to weigh in on the proposed ordinance, and among their notes were recommendations to direct revenue raised from the display district to public improvements, restrict right turns at red lights, and post such signage before any displays are installed."
A little on the nose, but I just had to get out and walk tonight at Lincoln near Sepulveda because the traffic was so bad coming into LAX. My kingdom for a People Mover! (Or just my small fee for congestion pricing!)
I'm in @latimes.com today on why LAX's $1.5B plan to expand its road network will only make traffic worse. Instead: better FlyAway bus service, more bike/pedestrian/People Mover investment, and congestion pricing for the horseshoe to actually make it flow!:
Contributor: Only Los Angeles could spend $1.5 billion to make airport traffic worse
LAX authorities scuttled its terminal expansions after the pandemic. And yet the now seemingly unnecessary roadway plan marches on.
www.latimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:12 AM
A little on the nose, but I just had to get out and walk tonight at Lincoln near Sepulveda because the traffic was so bad coming into LAX. My kingdom for a People Mover! (Or just my small fee for congestion pricing!)
Reposted by Jacob Wasserman
Great Jacob Wasserman article in the LATimes on the Los Angeles airport roadway plan: But no, the headline isn't true. It's not unusual to spend $1.5b to make traffic worse.
@jacobwasserman.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
@jacobwasserman.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
Contributor: Only Los Angeles could spend $1.5 billion to make airport traffic worse
LAX authorities scuttled its terminal expansions after the pandemic. And yet the now seemingly unnecessary roadway plan marches on.
www.latimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Great Jacob Wasserman article in the LATimes on the Los Angeles airport roadway plan: But no, the headline isn't true. It's not unusual to spend $1.5b to make traffic worse.
@jacobwasserman.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
@jacobwasserman.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
Reposted by Jacob Wasserman
Opinion | California’s freeways are fueling its housing crisis
Caltrans construction forces families from homes and neighborhoods, though its efforts to widen freeways don’t seem to reduce traffic jams.
Caltrans construction forces families from homes and neighborhoods, though its efforts to widen freeways don’t seem to reduce traffic jams.
Opinion | California’s freeways are fueling its housing crisis
Caltrans construction forces families from homes and neighborhoods, though its efforts to widen freeways don’t seem to reduce traffic jams.
bit.ly
December 16, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Opinion | California’s freeways are fueling its housing crisis
Caltrans construction forces families from homes and neighborhoods, though its efforts to widen freeways don’t seem to reduce traffic jams.
Caltrans construction forces families from homes and neighborhoods, though its efforts to widen freeways don’t seem to reduce traffic jams.
Reposted by Jacob Wasserman
this got me digging into this project again and noticed LAWA has a new 'ATMP fact VS. fiction' page and I swear they think people are stupid
www.lawa.org/sites/lawa/f...
"Opponents of this project claim this project will induce 50,000 new VMT. In reality its a measly... 41,000"
www.lawa.org/sites/lawa/f...
"Opponents of this project claim this project will induce 50,000 new VMT. In reality its a measly... 41,000"
December 16, 2025 at 11:53 PM
this got me digging into this project again and noticed LAWA has a new 'ATMP fact VS. fiction' page and I swear they think people are stupid
www.lawa.org/sites/lawa/f...
"Opponents of this project claim this project will induce 50,000 new VMT. In reality its a measly... 41,000"
www.lawa.org/sites/lawa/f...
"Opponents of this project claim this project will induce 50,000 new VMT. In reality its a measly... 41,000"
Reposted by Jacob Wasserman
“Spare a thought here for residents of Westchester, Inglewood and El Segundo. They already live with cut-through traffic and the dangerous crashes and pollution this traffic causes. This project threatens to make all of that worse”
I'm in @latimes.com today on why LAX's $1.5B plan to expand its road network will only make traffic worse. Instead: better FlyAway bus service, more bike/pedestrian/People Mover investment, and congestion pricing for the horseshoe to actually make it flow!:
Contributor: Only Los Angeles could spend $1.5 billion to make airport traffic worse
LAX authorities scuttled its terminal expansions after the pandemic. And yet the now seemingly unnecessary roadway plan marches on.
www.latimes.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:03 PM
“Spare a thought here for residents of Westchester, Inglewood and El Segundo. They already live with cut-through traffic and the dangerous crashes and pollution this traffic causes. This project threatens to make all of that worse”
I'm in @latimes.com today on why LAX's $1.5B plan to expand its road network will only make traffic worse. Instead: better FlyAway bus service, more bike/pedestrian/People Mover investment, and congestion pricing for the horseshoe to actually make it flow!:
Contributor: Only Los Angeles could spend $1.5 billion to make airport traffic worse
LAX authorities scuttled its terminal expansions after the pandemic. And yet the now seemingly unnecessary roadway plan marches on.
www.latimes.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:48 PM
I'm in @latimes.com today on why LAX's $1.5B plan to expand its road network will only make traffic worse. Instead: better FlyAway bus service, more bike/pedestrian/People Mover investment, and congestion pricing for the horseshoe to actually make it flow!:
North Westwood Neighborhood Council passed a Community Impact Statement asking @empowerla.bsky.social and @cityattorneyla.bsky.social to provide guidance on implementing new virtual meeting rules: cityclerk.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2.... With SB 707 taking effect in two weeks, it is long past time.
December 16, 2025 at 4:54 PM
North Westwood Neighborhood Council passed a Community Impact Statement asking @empowerla.bsky.social and @cityattorneyla.bsky.social to provide guidance on implementing new virtual meeting rules: cityclerk.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2.... With SB 707 taking effect in two weeks, it is long past time.
Reposted by Jacob Wasserman
🎉 Mahtab Ahmed for being selected as one of the 2025 Future Leaders Development Conference (LDC) Fellows by the Eno Center for Transportation. Student fellows get an insider’s view of transportation policymaking in Washington, D.C.
December 16, 2025 at 1:32 AM
🎉 Mahtab Ahmed for being selected as one of the 2025 Future Leaders Development Conference (LDC) Fellows by the Eno Center for Transportation. Student fellows get an insider’s view of transportation policymaking in Washington, D.C.
Reposted by Jacob Wasserman
🎉 Carolyn Pugh MURP '24 for her groundbreaking research on freeway removal and redesign, which received a national award from the Council of University Transportation Centers (CUTC). Read more: www.its.ucla.edu/2025/01/14/s...
December 16, 2025 at 1:32 AM
🎉 Carolyn Pugh MURP '24 for her groundbreaking research on freeway removal and redesign, which received a national award from the Council of University Transportation Centers (CUTC). Read more: www.its.ucla.edu/2025/01/14/s...
Reposted by Jacob Wasserman
The Week in Short Video at Streetsblogcal and @streetsblogla.bsky.social
Have you watched 'em all? Bikes on buses, massive freeway harms, not-quite-a-peace-prize, and a year-end appeal.
cal.streetsblog.org/2025/12/12/t...
Have you watched 'em all? Bikes on buses, massive freeway harms, not-quite-a-peace-prize, and a year-end appeal.
cal.streetsblog.org/2025/12/12/t...
The Week in Short Video - Streetsblog California
Have you watched 'em all? Bikes on buses, massive freeway harms, not-quite-a-peace-prize, and a year-end appeal
cal.streetsblog.org
December 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The Week in Short Video at Streetsblogcal and @streetsblogla.bsky.social
Have you watched 'em all? Bikes on buses, massive freeway harms, not-quite-a-peace-prize, and a year-end appeal.
cal.streetsblog.org/2025/12/12/t...
Have you watched 'em all? Bikes on buses, massive freeway harms, not-quite-a-peace-prize, and a year-end appeal.
cal.streetsblog.org/2025/12/12/t...
Reposted by Jacob Wasserman
🎉 Please join us in welcoming Ellen Schwartz MURP ‘22 back to UCLA — this time as the inaugural manager of the new UCLA Center for Parking Policy! Learn more about Ellen's parking reform journey and the work she's leading at the new center here www.its.ucla.edu/2025/12/10/m...
Meet the manager of UCLA’s new Center for Parking Policy - UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies
Three years after earning her master’s degree, Ellen Schwartz has returned to UCLA, where she'll provide technical assistance to local and state officials throughout the policymaking process — from ev...
www.its.ucla.edu
December 10, 2025 at 9:56 PM
🎉 Please join us in welcoming Ellen Schwartz MURP ‘22 back to UCLA — this time as the inaugural manager of the new UCLA Center for Parking Policy! Learn more about Ellen's parking reform journey and the work she's leading at the new center here www.its.ucla.edu/2025/12/10/m...
"The more destructive route was chosen in Fresno....We found evidence of chambers of commerce and a (former) Congressman that was advocating for bypass routes that bypassed downtown Fresno and West Fresno altogether. But those voices were not heard."
fresnoland.org/2025/12/10/t...
fresnoland.org/2025/12/10/t...
December 10, 2025 at 5:55 PM
"The more destructive route was chosen in Fresno....We found evidence of chambers of commerce and a (former) Congressman that was advocating for bypass routes that bypassed downtown Fresno and West Fresno altogether. But those voices were not heard."
fresnoland.org/2025/12/10/t...
fresnoland.org/2025/12/10/t...
Reposted by Jacob Wasserman
‘Those were all houses.’ New report quantifies 99 freeway’s path of destruction in West Fresno
Kathy Omachi used to wonder why there was no D Street in Fresno’s Chinatown. The street names otherwise went in order from A to G in the West Fresno neighborhood, then continued through the alphabet in…
Kathy Omachi used to wonder why there was no D Street in Fresno’s Chinatown. The street names otherwise went in order from A to G in the West Fresno neighborhood, then continued through the alphabet in…
‘Those were all houses.’ New report quantifies 99 freeway’s path of destruction in West Fresno
Kathy Omachi used to wonder why there was no D Street in Fresno’s Chinatown. The street names otherwise went in order from A to G in the West Fresno neighborhood, then continued through the alphabet in downtown proper. Omachi later learned that there indeed used to be a D Street — but that was all before State Route 99 came along.
fresnoland.org
December 10, 2025 at 12:30 PM
‘Those were all houses.’ New report quantifies 99 freeway’s path of destruction in West Fresno
Kathy Omachi used to wonder why there was no D Street in Fresno’s Chinatown. The street names otherwise went in order from A to G in the West Fresno neighborhood, then continued through the alphabet in…
Kathy Omachi used to wonder why there was no D Street in Fresno’s Chinatown. The street names otherwise went in order from A to G in the West Fresno neighborhood, then continued through the alphabet in…
Reposted by Jacob Wasserman
The city also very conveniently claims large asphalt repair doesn't trigger HLA, so Mobility Plan implementation is basically on hold until the city drops this charade and starts repaving streets again.
December 9, 2025 at 4:44 PM
The city also very conveniently claims large asphalt repair doesn't trigger HLA, so Mobility Plan implementation is basically on hold until the city drops this charade and starts repaving streets again.
Reposted by Jacob Wasserman
Instead, the city made up a new kind way of fixing streets - "large asphalt repair", which is just a big patch. The feds consider repairs maintenance, which - guess what - doesn't trigger ADA requirements. Here's an LAR the city did on Spring St. in September. Photo by @lintonjoe.bsky.social.
December 9, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Instead, the city made up a new kind way of fixing streets - "large asphalt repair", which is just a big patch. The feds consider repairs maintenance, which - guess what - doesn't trigger ADA requirements. Here's an LAR the city did on Spring St. in September. Photo by @lintonjoe.bsky.social.
Reposted by Jacob Wasserman
LA quietly stopped repaving all streets last July to avoid fulfilling its ADA obligations. The federal govt says when you repave a street, you have to update all the curb ramps. LA has tons of out of date curb ramps, so the rule makes repaving much more expensive. The city's solution: stop repaving!
LA has stopped repaving our streets
The reason why is probably illegal
futureis.la
December 9, 2025 at 4:44 PM
LA quietly stopped repaving all streets last July to avoid fulfilling its ADA obligations. The federal govt says when you repave a street, you have to update all the curb ramps. LA has tons of out of date curb ramps, so the rule makes repaving much more expensive. The city's solution: stop repaving!
Reposted by Jacob Wasserman
This is a great post from Oren, and I hope our local news media take notice.
LA quietly stopped repaving all streets last July to avoid fulfilling its ADA obligations. The federal govt says when you repave a street, you have to update all the curb ramps. LA has tons of out of date curb ramps, so the rule makes repaving much more expensive. The city's solution: stop repaving!
LA has stopped repaving our streets
The reason why is probably illegal
futureis.la
December 9, 2025 at 5:04 PM
This is a great post from Oren, and I hope our local news media take notice.