Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

Toronto's Path: A Spontaneously Formed Pedestrian Subway Network

2025-09-02

Toronto's congested downtown spurred businesses to create a network of underground tunnels connecting offices to subway stations – "The Path." Over decades, this 30km+ system, independently managed by numerous owners, alleviated surface congestion and evolved into a thriving shopping mall. This unique case study in urban transportation planning raises the question: why hasn't a similar 'pedestrian metro' model been widely replicated in other cities?

(www.worksinprogress.news)

Misc underground tunnels

First Non-Opioid Painkiller Approved After Decades-Long Search

2025-06-26

After a 27-year journey costing billions of dollars, Vertex Pharmaceuticals has achieved a breakthrough: the FDA approval of Journavx (suzetrigine), the first non-opioid pain reliever for post-surgical pain. Targeting the NaV1.8 sodium ion channel in peripheral neurons, Journavx prevents pain signals from reaching the brain without the addictive and debilitating side effects of opioids. This monumental achievement represents a significant victory in ion channel research and offers hope in combating the opioid crisis, although its price and applicability remain areas for improvement.

(www.worksinprogress.news)

Tech non-opioid painkiller

Victorian Rail Networks: The Through-Running Revolution

2025-06-17

Nineteenth-century railway networks transformed European and North American cities, but high land costs, technological limitations, and regulations often resulted in railways terminating at city edges, creating a 'spokes without a hub' pattern. The advent of metro technology in the early 20th century offered a solution, but its high cost limited its adoption. Many cities retained vast Victorian railway networks, characterized by extensive coverage but low frequency and poor interconnectivity. This article examines 'through-running,' a solution that connects suburban rail lines on opposite sides of a city via tunnels, significantly improving efficiency at a fraction of the cost. Munich's S-Bahn and London's Elizabeth Line showcase successful implementations. Through-running offers a cost-effective method for cities worldwide to upgrade existing rail systems, boosting public transportation efficiency.

(www.worksinprogress.news)

Tech urban transport city planning

The UK's Electrifying History: From Chaos to Nationalization and Back

2025-06-16

This article chronicles the evolution of the UK's electricity system from its chaotic beginnings in the late 19th century to its current state. Initially, local electricity companies operated independently, resulting in inconsistent voltage and frequency, and low efficiency. World War I exposed the criticality of this fragmented system, leading to government-driven efforts toward regional interconnection. Despite the 1919 Electricity (Supply) Act, progress was slow due to local protectionism and the lack of enforcement power. A 1925 inquiry highlighted the severity of the situation, paving the way for a large-scale national grid. After World War II, the grid was nationalized, only to be privatized under Margaret Thatcher's government, leading to ongoing debate. The article uses the UK's century-long electricity journey as a case study to explore the influence of government regulation, market competition, and technological advancements on energy systems.

(www.worksinprogress.news)

Tech Electricity Grid Nationalization

The Unexpected Legacy of Parking Reform Pioneer Donald Shoup

2025-02-12

Professor Donald Shoup, a pioneer in parking reform, passed away on February 6th. This article details how his work fundamentally reshaped the political economy of parking and cities themselves. His seminal work, *The High Cost of Free Parking*, argued that underpriced parking leads to wasted resources and urban congestion. Shoup advocated for demand-based parking pricing and the abolition of minimum parking requirements, using parking revenue to improve local infrastructure to gain public support. His ideas have been implemented in thousands of cities worldwide, leaving a lasting impact on urban planning.

(www.worksinprogress.news)

Misc parking reform