News and Updates: The latest on what's happening at our Library and Archive

Rail Rapid Transit Now!: Early Freeways, “Bus Rapid Transit” & The Competing Transportation Plans Of 1948

One hundred years ago, the first traffic study of Los Angeles was published. Bion J. Arnold explained “The Traffic Problem Of Los Angeles” in the

L.A. Transit Paintjobs Of The Past: King Tut, Disneyland & Other Notable Livery

If you’ve been dipping into our extensive Flickr online photo collection or reading about it elsewhere, you may know that it now holds well over 7,500 images. As

Experience The Future Of History & Culture in Los Angeles: Our New Leadership Role In “LA As Subject”

This morning, LA as Subject members met at the Los Angeles City Archives for the organization’s bi-monthly Archives Forum meeting. Following ten days of voting

Creating Pacific Coast Highway And Other Landmark Projects From 1924: Metro Library’s New Collection Of Historic California Highway Commission Documents

We have embarked on an exciting new project this year, one that is already yielding fascinating insights into local transportation history. Metro’s Transportation Library & Archive

“Come Ride With Us” On The Rolling Submarines Of Los Angeles: SCRTD’s 1974 “Street Fleet” Beach Bus Service

  (Promotional video for RTD’s “Street Fleet” bus service, 1974) Memorial Day has come and gone, and while the weather this week doesn’t make it

Approaching Transportation Research: Our Step-By-Step Guide To Getting Started & Up-To-The-Minute Bibliographies For Hot Transportation Topics

Whether you need answers fast or you are not familiar with a subject or its terminology, a timely and effective quest for knowledge can be

Before “Subway To The Sea,” There Was “Streetcar In The Sea”: Creating Artificial Reefs Off The Los Angeles Coast In 1959

The recent photo essays in the New York Times and Fast Company featuring stunning photos of NY MTA subway cars being dumped into the sea

50 Years Ago This Week: Planning The El Monte – Century City Backbone Route (Complete With Nuclear Fallout Shelters, Large-Capacity Helicopters And A Beverly Hills Subway)

In May of 1961, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority unveiled its plans for the Backbone Route — the 22.7-mile-long first leg of yet another rapid transit proposal

Online Access To Environmental Impact Reports & Statements: Metro’s New Digital Library Of Los Angeles Transit Project Documents

Among the most vital core resources that tell the story of how Los Angeles’ transit projects were planned are those contained within our environmental impact report and environmental impact statement documents.

Union Station Is Born: The Story And Photos From The Citywide Fight Over A Central Rail Terminal

Happy Birthday to Los Angeles’ primary passenger rail facility, which celebrates its anniversary today. Union Station is not only a beautiful neighbor of ours here