The Latest
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US DOT launches roadway safety call to action
Nearly 50 governments, non-government organizations and private-sector partners have committed to taking specific actions this year to reduce roadway deaths.
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Transit agencies’ zero-emission bus adoption increased in 2022
California, New York, Florida, Texas and Massachusetts together added more than 1,500 zero-emission transit buses to their fleets.
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Florida Republicans propose state rent control ban with affordable housing funding and incentives
Senate Bill 102 would prohibit local rent controls and use tax incentives, gap financing and additional state funding to boost affordable housing. Affordable housing advocates say the proposal leaves renters vulnerable.
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More urban trees could prevent heat-related deaths: study
As extreme heat and its negative health effects become more widespread, researchers draw a link between increasing tree cover and minimizing mortality.
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Retrieved from GAO.
Federal agency seeks input on AV safety documentation
With the Department of Transportation pushing to reduce vehicle-related fatalities, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is weighing whether additional federal rules on autonomous vehicle safety are warranted.
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US DOT awards $800M toward street safety
The allocation comes from the first funding round of the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program, part of the 2021 infrastructure law.
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10 US cities ready for a ‘smart city future’
Tomorrow’s smart cities will have robust technology and green infrastructure, along with strong tech job markets, according to a report from real estate technology company ProptechOS.
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New Jersey adopts law spurring low-carbon concrete
Heralded as a first-of-its-kind law in the U.S., the policy will create tax credits to incentivize the development and procurement of concrete that lowers or captures emissions associated with the highly polluting industry.
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Baltimore’s B&P rail tunnel on track for $4.5B replacement
The 150-year-old Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel is the largest rail bottleneck between Washington, D.C., and New Jersey, according to the White House.
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ChargePoint, Stem strike EV charging and battery storage deal for highway corridor fast-charging networks
Combining charging, battery storage and AI-driven energy management will save money for EV site operators, the companies say.
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Deep Dive
To close budget gaps, transit agencies face hard decisions in 2023
Remote work, crime and reduced service are deterring riders and cutting into fare revenue, leaving agencies to look for new funds or cut service.
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New York City to reform zoning to add housing in Midtown Manhattan
During his State of the City address last week, Mayor Eric Adams also announced new funding to enforce tenant protection laws and expanded free broadband services for residents who live in public housing.
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EV transition not keeping pace with US climate goals: report
Gas-powered cars need tighter regulations for the U.S. to meet its 2030 emissions target, while not enough urban charging or utility upgrades could constrain electrification, one report author said.
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Office conversions will soar this year: report
Apartments have made up one-third of office conversion activity since 2016, according to a report by commercial real estate firm CBRE.
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Retrieved from GAO.
FTA makes $21B available to transit agencies, communities
The public transportation funding for the 2023 fiscal year could enable new bus and rail car purchases, help with repair backlogs, and support fleet modernization and adoption of climate-friendly technologies.
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DC launches public shared micromobility dashboard
The District of Columbia also announced that VeoRide would operate shared electric scooters and bikes in the city, but Helbiz and Bird will not.
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7 projects to watch in 2023
From an NFL stadium to a major airport expansion and a massive manufacturing plant, these high-profile, high-impact projects are expected to hit significant milestones this year.
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Shared-Use Mobility Center highlights opportunities for micromobility in city climate action plans
The role of micromobility is not discussed much in climate action plans, but that could be improved going forward, one Shared-Use Mobility Center representative explained during a webinar last week.
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Black and Latino-majority cities are key ‘to finding a real world Wakanda’: report
Combined Black and Latino-majority cities may have “greater opportunities to improve local prosperity through shared initiatives,” according to a Brookings Institution report.
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(2023). "Mayor Eric Adams Delivers Second State of the City Address" [Video]. Retrieved from NYC Mayor's Office.
NYC to require zero-emission fleets from Uber, Lyft by 2030
“That’s zero emissions for over 100,000 vehicles on our city streets. And it will be achieved with no new costs for individual drivers,” Mayor Eric Adams said in the State of the City address Thursday.
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Phoenix launches 24-hour public restroom pilot at a homeless shelter
The city will install The Portland Loo, which was created to help cities and nonprofits provide people experiencing homelessness with access to a public restroom.
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(2023). "Mayor Eric Adams Delivers Second State of the City Address" [Video]. Retrieved from NYC Mayor's Office.
New York to have citywide curbside composting by end of 2024, mayor says
The timeline gives the city less than two years to bring curbside composting to all five boroughs, a long-held goal that has eluded city officials through administration changes and budget cuts.
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How green building policy could evolve in 2023
After reducing energy use in buildings, cutting embodied carbon is next on the green policy agenda for state and local leaders, potentially prompting a shift from concrete and steel to materials like timber or straw, experts say.
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Tesla sets sales record as safety concerns mount
California banned automakers from advertising self-driving capabilities that still require a driver in control, while NHTSA is investigating Tesla’s Autopilot system.
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Illinois investing nearly $114 million in downstate transit
The money will go to a wide range of transportation improvements, including electric and hybrid-electric transit vehicles, electric vehicle charging stations, new bus shelters, solar panel installations and facility expansions.