The Latest
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Biden administration asks for 2.7% FY 2025 increase in DOT budget
The Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Transit Administration and Federal Highway Administration would receive modest cuts over the fiscal year 2024 budget, while the Federal Aviation Administration would get a $2.7 billion increase.
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California regulators approve power line undergrounding program to prevent wildfires
Moving power lines underground can reduce the risk of wildfire ignition by 98%, according to Pacific Gas & Electric, but critics of the practice argue there are cheaper methods.
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$10B New York City intercity bus terminal project moves forward
With a new funding agreement, the country’s largest and busiest bus terminal is closer to getting a long-awaited overhaul.
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US DOT awards $3.3B to reconnect communities, offers funding for other transportation projects
Meanwhile, President Biden's 2025 budget for transportation calls for $4 billion for large transit projects and $1.2 billion for the use of low-embodied-carbon materials.
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Planting a tree just got $100 cheaper for property owners in a California water district
A new rebate rewards residents and businesses for planting trees where they previously grew grass. However, “not all trees are created equal,” the water district’s resource specialist said.
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DoorDash adds AI to chat feature to detect harassment between workers and customers
The delivery platform is replacing an old chat monitoring tool with SafeChat+, which can detect inappropriate content without specific keyword matching.
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High-speed rail could get $205B in proposed legislation
House Democrats and rail advocates lined up behind the American High-Speed Rail Act, touting cleaner intercity transportation and economic development for cities served by these trains.
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US reviewing security of connected vehicles linked to certain countries
The proposed rulemaking aims to shield transportation from foreign national security threats connected to countries such as China, Iran, North Korea and Russia.
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New York City bill would mandate solar panels on public buildings
The legislation would prohibit the use of power purchase agreements to meet solar targets, leaving the city to figure out who should handle routine operations and maintenance of the systems.
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Automated traffic enforcement is growing. How are cities using it?
Cameras that cities use to catch drivers speeding, running red lights and blocking bus and bike lanes have “public perception and policy obstacles to overcome,” a safety official said.
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This New Jersey beach city went from ‘worst to first’ in reducing flood risk
Sea Isle City’s success required leaders who were willing to spend political and financial capital on building resilience, the city’s floodplain manager said.
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Why Walmart sees drone delivery taking flight
The retailer is expanding drone delivery to up to 1.8 million additional households, linking the option to stores across more than 30 towns and municipalities in the Dallas-Forth Worth area.
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Chicago’s novel idea for paying off affordable housing, development bond
The city plans to cut back a program that critics said kept property tax revenue in wealthier neighborhoods and diverted it from public services.
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ASHRAE commercial building code standard now requires on-site renewables
The Energy Department estimates that ASHRAE’s updated Standard 90.1 will drive energy savings nationwide. States have two years to certify that they have reviewed and, if needed, updated their codes.
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Study on delivery worker conditions, pay mandated in DC
The study could be the first legislative step toward a citywide effort to regulate the pay and conditions of delivery drivers.
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Arizona names US’ first state chief heat officer, unveils summer 2024 plans
Arizona said it has also hired a statewide cooling center coordinator and will deploy solar-powered cooling centers made from shipping containers.
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NYC subways get National Guard, state police patrols after high-profile assaults
While New York City Mayor Eric Adams and transit workers applaud the move, others express concerns about racial profiling.
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Q&A
Think holistically about infrastructure, new president of civil engineering group urges
The American Society of Civil Engineers’ Marsia Geldert-Murphey talks about why public transit is the most underfunded infrastructure sector and how to build climate change-ready structures.
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States must assess road safety for pedestrians, cyclists under FHWA proposed rule change
The Federal Highway Administration wants to update regulations for the Highway Safety Improvement Program to align with federal equity and safety priorities.
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As the Affordable Connectivity Program sunsets, what’s next for low-income students?
With the responsibility to keep students connected at home shifting to school district leaders, experts say partnerships with state and local governments and plans for other Federal Communications Commission initiatives are key.
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DoorDash shifts pay scheme, cuts flexibility for New York City workers
DoorDash says its fees in the Big Apple have driven down delivery sales, but the city says data from delivery firms shows otherwise.
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Robotaxi expansion approved in California over local objections
Waymo can begin operating driverless robotaxis immediately in Los Angeles and on the San Francisco peninsula following a March 1 decision by the California Public Utilities Commission.
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Building energy code revamps can get another $90M from DOE
More energy-efficient homes can remain habitable longer during extreme heat and cold events, which could save lives, a Department of Energy-commissioned study finds.
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LA City Council plans to streamline solar, battery installation review process
The move, which echoes a similar initiative in New York City, aims to help Los Angeles reach its goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035.
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Fuel cell electric buses up 75% in transit fleets last year
Battery-electric bus fleets also grew last year, but at a slower rate than in 2022, according to Calstart’s annual report on zero-emission buses.