High-speed rail efforts in the US: A history

Here’s the latest on three high-speed rail projects that are bringing new hope to advocates after six decades of frustrated plans and money lost. 

Updated Sept. 13, 2023

EPA announces recipients of $105M in grants for recycling infrastructure

The agency awarded the long-awaited grants to 25 communities, including Baltimore and Minneapolis.

Broadband affordability program enrolls 20M+ US households, most in urban areas

Some cities are advancing their own plans to bridge the digital divide using American Rescue Plan Act and other funding sources.

To improve multifamily housing energy efficiency and resiliency, HUD offers $4.8B for retrofits

The first round of the $4.8 billion GRRP covers upgrades for 28 rent-assisted properties.

Air taxis will soon be flying over major US cities

“There’s a role for municipalities to play” in building out air taxi infrastructure, said a former FAA acting administrator, but time is short.

California must ban gas in new buildings, local officials tell governor

With a federal appeals court overturning Berkeley, California’s landmark gas ban, the state needs a unified standard to remain a climate policy leader, 26 local leaders told Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Reforms could add 300K housing units to New York City over 10 years: report

With the city’s housing costs surging to unprecedented levels, RAND Corp. researchers examined the most promising policy reforms.

Older homes contributed to Hawai’i fire’s destruction

Buildings constructed under older codes helped last month’s wildfire spread quickly, a new report finds.

EPA seeks advisers on ‘critical’ local government issues

The Environmental Protection Agency will pick up to five officials who represent local, state, tribal or territorial governments to serve one-year terms.

How 2 big US transit agencies approach equity

Community members, small businesses and the agency's own workforce can provide crucial input to programs and projects, agency executives said.

Is 3D-printed concrete the future of infrastructure projects?

A Canadian building giant bets the construction industry will increasingly use the material. But it isn’t covered by many building codes, and technical challenges remain.

Commercial drone use to expand as FAA approves remotely piloted operations

The Federal Aviation Administration authorized three companies to fly drones outside the visual range of operators, amid mounting concerns about safety, privacy and noise.

FEMA selects ‘disaster resilience zones’ to get priority access to federal funds

The 483 census tracts span D.C. and all 50 states. More communities will be designated as community disaster resilience zones in the coming months.

Accelerating EV adoption: Utilities partner with GM, BMW, Lyft and more in the auto sector

Automakers and utilities “are now partners until the end of time, whether they like it or not,” said Joel Levin, executive director of Plug In America.

Ignoring AI is not a viable option for transportation officials: report

Artificial intelligence can create safer, more convenient and more equitable transportation systems, says an Eno Center for Transportation report.

New York City just mandated electric ride-sharing vehicles. Other mayors should take notice.

Ride-sharing vehicles should be the first movers when it comes to cities’ vehicle electrification efforts, argues Revel’s CEO.

Indianapolis downtown redevelopment project breaks ground

The city took over the $625 million hotel and convention center project this year after nearly a decade of planning, a pandemic and financial issues.

Cool pavement covers this LA neighborhood. Does it make a difference?

Project partners released their findings a year into what they described as “one of the most comprehensive studies of an urban cooling intervention.” 

ICC launches climate-resilience program to support community building and energy code changes

The initiative aims to help leaders implement and enforce new rules as buildings’ operational carbon emissions and energy use reach an all-time high.

Smart city conferences to attend in 2023

The tenth Bloomberg CityLab — a global cities summit — will take place in Washington, D.C., this fall.

Updated Sept. 5, 2023

Fleet electrification: 5 principles to help state and local governments plan

World Resources Institute researchers spoke with local governments, transit agencies and consultants to uncover the pitfalls of and best practices for shifting to electric vehicles.

EPA awards climate planning grants to New England cities, states

The Environmental Protection Agency is nearly done awarding such grants to communities nationwide and will soon launch the competitive phase of its climate pollution reduction program.

NYC earmarks record $19.4B for school-related construction

Funding from the School Construction Authority, which maintains 1,400 buildings and serves 1 million students, ranks as the largest investment ever for city schools.

Heat-related illness: New federal tool reveals highest-risk communities

Officials can use the online dashboard, updated weekly, to prioritize where to focus on outreach, cooling centers, street trees, parks and cool roofs, according to the Transportation Department.

Bird loses permit to operate scooters in Baltimore

The shared micromobility company faces numerous business challenges along with losing its permit in the Maryland city of nearly 600,000 residents.