Want to receive regular updates about Room for Debate discussions? Subscribe to our main RSS feed or follow us on Twitter. Interested in just one topic -- education, for instance, or politics? Subscribe to the feed for that topic by clicking on the link under Discussion Topics and receive alerts just for forums on that subject. Want to follow the twists and turns of one debate? Subscribe on that discussion page.
Transportation
-
October 7, 2013
Is There Any Hope for New York City Transit?
The latest M.T.A. budget proposal just extends existing problems, like overcrowding and dwindling service. What's the long-term solution?
-
August 18, 2013
New York City’s Transportation Challenges
Trains, bridges, bikes and pedestrians. Where should the next mayor start?
-
October 8, 2012
You Pay the Toll. Where Should That Money Go?
Should revenue from toll roads be spent on other transportation priorities, like public transit?
-
April 5, 2012
Should Los Angeles New Yorkify?
If skyscrapers popped up and mass transit displaced cars, would Hollywood lose its charm, or just become more livable?
-
January 26, 2012
Does California Need High-Speed Rail?
Some say the state can't afford to build a rail line from Los Angeles to San Francisco. But maybe it can't afford …
-
June 28, 2011
Car Clash: Europe vs. the U.S.
European planners work hard to discourage drivers, cars and parking. Why is American city planning different?
-
December 29, 2010
Can Air Travel Be Improved in Bad Weather?
Are there ways to schedule flights to avoid thousands of cancellations and delays?
-
November 22, 2010
Do Body Scanners Make Us Safer?
Travelers are resisting new airport security measures. Are there better options?
-
October 19, 2010
2025: A Lot of Old People on the Roads
The number of drivers over 70 will triple in the next 20 years. How will they stay safe and mobile?
-
October 13, 2010
Will We Ever Have High-Speed Trains?
Even if the political will exists, does a system of high-speed railways across America make economic sense?
-
August 26, 2010
Redefining Bumper to Bumper
What are some innovative ways to reduce traffic jams in China, or elsewhere?
-
August 10, 2010
A Code of Conduct for Passengers?
In light of the Steven Slater case, how can rules help ease the friction between passengers and the flight crew?
-
May 27, 2010
Do We Tolerate Too Many Traffic Deaths?
Road-trip season is here. What can be done to reduce the accident death toll?
-
May 4, 2010
Who Benefits When Airlines Merge?
Does airline consolidation drive up fares or reduce logjams on runways?
-
April 26, 2010
Confronting the Mire on 34th Street
Mayor Bloomberg's plan favors buses and pedestrians. Will it also reduce congestion in Midtown Manhattan?
-
April 22, 2010
The New Age of Travel: Blimps and Beyond
Iceland's volcanoes inspire dreams of future, and futuristic, alternatives to airplanes.
-
December 30, 2009
Aviation Security and the Israeli Model
What can the U.S. learn, if anything, from a different system of passenger screening?
-
December 28, 2009
What’s Missing in Airport Security?
Can safety rules be tightened without clogging up air travel?
-
December 16, 2009
Why Is the M.T.A. Always in Trouble?
What transit savings can be had immediately, and what needs to be done in the out years?
-
October 23, 2009
Do Pilots Get Enough Sleep?
Regulators are designing strategies to reduce fatigue in the cockpit.
-
September 28, 2009
The In-Flight Menace: Wireless Chatter
Why are we addicted to staying connected even when it makes us miserable?
-
August 1, 2009
Check-In to Bag Claim: Better Ways to Fly
The discomforts of air travel -- readers count the ways, and offer some suggestions.
-
May 31, 2009
Goodbye to the Local Car Dealer. Now What?
What does the loss of more than 3,000 G.M. and Chrysler dealers mean?
-
May 13, 2009
The Car Lover vs. the Car-Free
Where pedestrians are aliens and cars are king.
-
April 11, 2009
How to Catch a Pirate: Readers’ Ideas
Suggestions and advice from readers on how to combat sea pirates.
-
March 26, 2009
Why Our Love of Small Cars Didn’t Last
Should we raise gas taxes to encourage consumers to buy fuel-efficient vehicles?
-
January 16, 2009
Miracles and Plane Crashes
What accounts for plane crash survivability? Pilot skills, better aircraft features or competent passengers?
About Room for Debate
In Room for Debate, The Times invites knowledgeable outside contributors to discuss news events and other timely issues. Reader comments are moderated Monday through Friday.
Suggest a Forum Idea
Room for Debate welcomes suggestions from readers: What questions should we be asking? Please e-mail us your ideas for debates, as well as experts whose insights you'd like to read.