It looks like the Wired Blog Network is about to launch into an analysis of the success underpinning Portland's MAX system.

The light rail system in Portland is widely touted as not just the first revolutionary shot for the return of American urban rail, but as a clear thinking and masterful implementation of light rail that supplements and compliments land use policy. We'd never see such harmony here overnight, but
MAX: A Success in Light Rail Transit - an Introduction to Portland promises to be a good read and a good lesson.