Marco Chitti
@chittimarco.bsky.social
Researcher on urban planning and public transportation.
https://marcochitti.substack.com/
https://marcochitti.substack.com/
Pinned
Marco Chitti
@chittimarco.bsky.social
· Jun 21
It took quite a while, but the paper about the history of high-speed rail planning in Italy that I co-authored with @beriapaolo.bsky.social is finally out!
It's open source, so you can read it at length (it is pretty long),
But here is a TL;DR: 🧵
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
It's open source, so you can read it at length (it is pretty long),
But here is a TL;DR: 🧵
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
I was having a conversation recently about what can push a certain Ontario provincial agency to become better at at value-for-money in delivering projects. Political pressure to do so was my answer.
I regret to inform you that Ontario's voters simply don't care that their money is misspent.
I regret to inform you that Ontario's voters simply don't care that their money is misspent.
(⭐️ Support Me By Subscribing/Donating ⭐️)
Ontario Provincial Polling:
PCPO: 51% (+8)
OLP: 23% (-7)
ONDP: 19% (-)
GPO: 3% (-2)
Others: 4%
Abacus / Nov 6, 2025 / n=1000 / Online
(% Change with 2025 Election)
Check out more ON details on @338Canada at: www.338canada.com/ontario
Ontario Provincial Polling:
PCPO: 51% (+8)
OLP: 23% (-7)
ONDP: 19% (-)
GPO: 3% (-2)
Others: 4%
Abacus / Nov 6, 2025 / n=1000 / Online
(% Change with 2025 Election)
Check out more ON details on @338Canada at: www.338canada.com/ontario
November 11, 2025 at 12:24 AM
I was having a conversation recently about what can push a certain Ontario provincial agency to become better at at value-for-money in delivering projects. Political pressure to do so was my answer.
I regret to inform you that Ontario's voters simply don't care that their money is misspent.
I regret to inform you that Ontario's voters simply don't care that their money is misspent.
It's impressive how contemporary projects' budgeting practices in Canada are made of very thin actual analytical estimates based on quantities and unit prices on top of which there is an entire enormous castle of random percentages of percentages of percentages which are suspiciously multiples of 5.
November 10, 2025 at 2:52 PM
It's impressive how contemporary projects' budgeting practices in Canada are made of very thin actual analytical estimates based on quantities and unit prices on top of which there is an entire enormous castle of random percentages of percentages of percentages which are suspiciously multiples of 5.
Another railway station opened in Naples today, Monte Sant'Angelo.
As always over there, stunning architecture but abysmal construction times (works started in 2008) and mediocre service (line 7 will operate as a 1-station shuttle initially).
youtu.be/rGdrMcuV3r4?...
As always over there, stunning architecture but abysmal construction times (works started in 2008) and mediocre service (line 7 will operate as a 1-station shuttle initially).
youtu.be/rGdrMcuV3r4?...
Stazione Monte Sant'Angelo, Metro Napoli, Linea 7 - Videobrochure
YouTube video by Webuild S.p.A.
youtu.be
November 8, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Another railway station opened in Naples today, Monte Sant'Angelo.
As always over there, stunning architecture but abysmal construction times (works started in 2008) and mediocre service (line 7 will operate as a 1-station shuttle initially).
youtu.be/rGdrMcuV3r4?...
As always over there, stunning architecture but abysmal construction times (works started in 2008) and mediocre service (line 7 will operate as a 1-station shuttle initially).
youtu.be/rGdrMcuV3r4?...
If you are in Rome in the next two months, there is an exhibition at Palazzo Venezia about the history of Italian railways since Unification, on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the creation of the Italian Ferrovie dello Stato in 1905.
vive.cultura.gov.it/it/le-ferrov...
vive.cultura.gov.it/it/le-ferrov...
November 7, 2025 at 11:45 PM
If you are in Rome in the next two months, there is an exhibition at Palazzo Venezia about the history of Italian railways since Unification, on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the creation of the Italian Ferrovie dello Stato in 1905.
vive.cultura.gov.it/it/le-ferrov...
vive.cultura.gov.it/it/le-ferrov...
I was going through some old pics and I found one that really conveys why the Brenner basis tunnel was necessary.
This picture was taken in Sterling/Vipiteno, pointing north toward the Brenner. Here starts the 2.3% ramp that brings the line from 950m to 1,374m at the Brenner in 22km
This picture was taken in Sterling/Vipiteno, pointing north toward the Brenner. Here starts the 2.3% ramp that brings the line from 950m to 1,374m at the Brenner in 22km
November 7, 2025 at 7:17 PM
I was going through some old pics and I found one that really conveys why the Brenner basis tunnel was necessary.
This picture was taken in Sterling/Vipiteno, pointing north toward the Brenner. Here starts the 2.3% ramp that brings the line from 950m to 1,374m at the Brenner in 22km
This picture was taken in Sterling/Vipiteno, pointing north toward the Brenner. Here starts the 2.3% ramp that brings the line from 950m to 1,374m at the Brenner in 22km
What have the Romans done for us?
November 7, 2025 at 6:50 PM
What have the Romans done for us?
Below, the 1958 city plan of Bologna for a sector of the inner modern expansion characterized by a mix of "planned" and "unplanned" growth, that was poised to be reorganized with the introduction of many new throughfares (blue) alongside the existing ones (white)
November 7, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Below, the 1958 city plan of Bologna for a sector of the inner modern expansion characterized by a mix of "planned" and "unplanned" growth, that was poised to be reorganized with the introduction of many new throughfares (blue) alongside the existing ones (white)
Today, after 20 years of stop&Go works in very southern Italy fashion, the Baia new station on the Cumana line near Naples has been inaugurated.
As always, fantastic architecture, but poor execution and mediocre service, unfortunately.
youtu.be/w22lUQO99Nk?...
As always, fantastic architecture, but poor execution and mediocre service, unfortunately.
youtu.be/w22lUQO99Nk?...
EAV Linea Cumana: inaugurazione della nuova stazione di Baia
YouTube video by MadecoNapoli
youtu.be
November 6, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Today, after 20 years of stop&Go works in very southern Italy fashion, the Baia new station on the Cumana line near Naples has been inaugurated.
As always, fantastic architecture, but poor execution and mediocre service, unfortunately.
youtu.be/w22lUQO99Nk?...
As always, fantastic architecture, but poor execution and mediocre service, unfortunately.
youtu.be/w22lUQO99Nk?...
My new downstairs neighbours are using the bathroom ventilation much more than the previous ones, and now I have a constant low humming noise in the house.
I really hate these cardboard houses. This continent should learn how to build properly.
I really hate these cardboard houses. This continent should learn how to build properly.
November 6, 2025 at 2:08 PM
My new downstairs neighbours are using the bathroom ventilation much more than the previous ones, and now I have a constant low humming noise in the house.
I really hate these cardboard houses. This continent should learn how to build properly.
I really hate these cardboard houses. This continent should learn how to build properly.
If only there was a technology that allowed the contemporary flow of trains and cars crossing each other.
Something that would make them go at different levels, for example.
I'm sure there is some Silicon Valley start-up that is looking into this problem right now and will save us.
Something that would make them go at different levels, for example.
I'm sure there is some Silicon Valley start-up that is looking into this problem right now and will save us.
In some far future America, our descendants are amazed that we allowed private freight train companies to just block major city streets for unlimited amounts of time, with trains that weren't even moving. (SE 11th Ave. in Portland).
November 6, 2025 at 12:07 AM
If only there was a technology that allowed the contemporary flow of trains and cars crossing each other.
Something that would make them go at different levels, for example.
I'm sure there is some Silicon Valley start-up that is looking into this problem right now and will save us.
Something that would make them go at different levels, for example.
I'm sure there is some Silicon Valley start-up that is looking into this problem right now and will save us.
I've done something that I don't do very often. I wrote a short, quick polemic post. It was prompted by a discussion in here.
It's about why I'm still skeptical about ALTO's HSR project and why there is no way around transparency in public projects.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
It's about why I'm still skeptical about ALTO's HSR project and why there is no way around transparency in public projects.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Why I’m still skeptical about ALTO’s HSR project
A reality check and a plea for transparency.
open.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:22 PM
I've done something that I don't do very often. I wrote a short, quick polemic post. It was prompted by a discussion in here.
It's about why I'm still skeptical about ALTO's HSR project and why there is no way around transparency in public projects.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
It's about why I'm still skeptical about ALTO's HSR project and why there is no way around transparency in public projects.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
We have zero hints right now about alignments, service levels, station locations, urban integration, etc
But they want it to break ground in four years. Good luck, folks. Especially when the generic "I love the idea of HSR" crowd will turn into a "don't want that massive infra in my backyard" crowd
But they want it to break ground in four years. Good luck, folks. Especially when the generic "I love the idea of HSR" crowd will turn into a "don't want that massive infra in my backyard" crowd
The Canadian 2025 budget tabled by the Carney administration, describes the Alto HSR project in a very specific, defined goal.
The full budget can be found here budget.canada.ca/2025/home-ac...
1/thread
The full budget can be found here budget.canada.ca/2025/home-ac...
1/thread
November 5, 2025 at 4:36 PM
We have zero hints right now about alignments, service levels, station locations, urban integration, etc
But they want it to break ground in four years. Good luck, folks. Especially when the generic "I love the idea of HSR" crowd will turn into a "don't want that massive infra in my backyard" crowd
But they want it to break ground in four years. Good luck, folks. Especially when the generic "I love the idea of HSR" crowd will turn into a "don't want that massive infra in my backyard" crowd
Canadian suburban planning can be really weird. Just the most vanilla staple sprawl complete with the fake urbanist strip mall cosplaying as a main street (Marketplace Ave 🫣)... but with a random transitway across it.
And this is Barrhaven, a far flung leapfrog suburb outside of Ottawa's greenbelt.
And this is Barrhaven, a far flung leapfrog suburb outside of Ottawa's greenbelt.
November 5, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Canadian suburban planning can be really weird. Just the most vanilla staple sprawl complete with the fake urbanist strip mall cosplaying as a main street (Marketplace Ave 🫣)... but with a random transitway across it.
And this is Barrhaven, a far flung leapfrog suburb outside of Ottawa's greenbelt.
And this is Barrhaven, a far flung leapfrog suburb outside of Ottawa's greenbelt.
On one hand, I hate the fact that the Italian road code imposes an unnecessary overuse of oversized road signs.
OTOH, 🥰😍🥰😍
OTOH, 🥰😍🥰😍
November 5, 2025 at 3:37 AM
On one hand, I hate the fact that the Italian road code imposes an unnecessary overuse of oversized road signs.
OTOH, 🥰😍🥰😍
OTOH, 🥰😍🥰😍
Saturday 15 th and Sunday 16th the REM will open to the public for free between 9am - 6pm for its grand opening.
Revenue service will start on the 17th.
rem.info/fr/evenement...
Revenue service will start on the 17th.
rem.info/fr/evenement...
November 5, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Saturday 15 th and Sunday 16th the REM will open to the public for free between 9am - 6pm for its grand opening.
Revenue service will start on the 17th.
rem.info/fr/evenement...
Revenue service will start on the 17th.
rem.info/fr/evenement...
I need to know more about this digital map thing.
But I also fear what I might learn
(P.s. : congrats, New Yorkers!)
But I also fear what I might learn
(P.s. : congrats, New Yorkers!)
November 5, 2025 at 2:55 AM
I need to know more about this digital map thing.
But I also fear what I might learn
(P.s. : congrats, New Yorkers!)
But I also fear what I might learn
(P.s. : congrats, New Yorkers!)
Folks, what terms would you use to translate the French "hypercentre," which is used in planning jargon, to refer to the very core of the city center?
Would "inner city core" or "inner core of the city center" work?
Would "inner city core" or "inner core of the city center" work?
November 4, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Folks, what terms would you use to translate the French "hypercentre," which is used in planning jargon, to refer to the very core of the city center?
Would "inner city core" or "inner core of the city center" work?
Would "inner city core" or "inner core of the city center" work?
From an Egis presentation at CUTA yesterday about integrating bike infras and trams.
The French do multi-phase pedestrian crossing, and that's why they can have absolute priority and we can't.
Also: their TSP philosophy is fundamentally different >>>
Paging @florianbonet.bsky.social
The French do multi-phase pedestrian crossing, and that's why they can have absolute priority and we can't.
Also: their TSP philosophy is fundamentally different >>>
Paging @florianbonet.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 2:22 PM
From an Egis presentation at CUTA yesterday about integrating bike infras and trams.
The French do multi-phase pedestrian crossing, and that's why they can have absolute priority and we can't.
Also: their TSP philosophy is fundamentally different >>>
Paging @florianbonet.bsky.social
The French do multi-phase pedestrian crossing, and that's why they can have absolute priority and we can't.
Also: their TSP philosophy is fundamentally different >>>
Paging @florianbonet.bsky.social
This is just really depressing.
I've lived in this city through two elections without the right to have a say in the policies that impacts my everyday life, and 2/3 of voters can't actually spare 15 minutes every 4 years to vote.
I've lived in this city through two elections without the right to have a say in the policies that impacts my everyday life, and 2/3 of voters can't actually spare 15 minutes every 4 years to vote.
November 4, 2025 at 3:02 AM
This is just really depressing.
I've lived in this city through two elections without the right to have a say in the policies that impacts my everyday life, and 2/3 of voters can't actually spare 15 minutes every 4 years to vote.
I've lived in this city through two elections without the right to have a say in the policies that impacts my everyday life, and 2/3 of voters can't actually spare 15 minutes every 4 years to vote.
My first time voting in Canada.
I confess I was excited like a kid on his first day of school.
I confess I was excited like a kid on his first day of school.
November 2, 2025 at 8:26 PM
My first time voting in Canada.
I confess I was excited like a kid on his first day of school.
I confess I was excited like a kid on his first day of school.
Repost to scare a North American transit operator.
(Good idea for a Halloween costume, too. Dress as a five-door artic and go to the APTA Halloween party to spread panic)
(Good idea for a Halloween costume, too. Dress as a five-door artic and go to the APTA Halloween party to spread panic)
Needless to say that I am in lovesick the five door Capacity bus operated by Hochbahn, who are, afaik, the only company which uses this variant
November 2, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Repost to scare a North American transit operator.
(Good idea for a Halloween costume, too. Dress as a five-door artic and go to the APTA Halloween party to spread panic)
(Good idea for a Halloween costume, too. Dress as a five-door artic and go to the APTA Halloween party to spread panic)
Killing time in an airport, I was thinking how much more "urban" most North American airports are compared to European peers. Even those built far out like Dulles have been overtaken by sprawl now.
November 2, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Killing time in an airport, I was thinking how much more "urban" most North American airports are compared to European peers. Even those built far out like Dulles have been overtaken by sprawl now.
Me: I don't understand why the northbound Adirondack takes 12 hours while the southbound takes "only" 11 hours.
Amtrak: let's make it 13 hours!
Amtrak: let's make it 13 hours!
November 2, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Me: I don't understand why the northbound Adirondack takes 12 hours while the southbound takes "only" 11 hours.
Amtrak: let's make it 13 hours!
Amtrak: let's make it 13 hours!
My brain is melting but this thing is starting to look like something finally...
October 30, 2025 at 8:16 PM
My brain is melting but this thing is starting to look like something finally...
🚋🚋
(Pics from Comune di Bologna)
(Pics from Comune di Bologna)
October 30, 2025 at 6:02 PM
🚋🚋
(Pics from Comune di Bologna)
(Pics from Comune di Bologna)