For 15 years the Rail~Volution conference has brought together practitioners interested in redeveloping communities around transit, walking and biking, but this year’s “rail-revolution” seems really real. President Obama has created formal federal partnerships focused on Railvolution’s agenda of using transit and TOD to promote sustainability, affordability and livability. Congressman Earl Blumenauer (Rail~Volution’s “father”) just created and is chairing the U.S. House Democratic Caucus’ Livable Communities Task Force to focus on these issues. And interest in high-speed rail, climate change, affordability and mixed-income communities, investments in complete streets and “active transportation” that promotes public health – issues Rail~Volution has always championed – is at an all-time high. Recent news stories also show that the real estate market, too, has clearly recognized the inherent value of walkable neighborhoods in livability …