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.

By Dan Zukowski • March 5, 2024

Contract Performance Intelligence 101

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.Congrats o...

By David Yarkin, Steve Isaac • March 4, 2024

Building up community: 2023 Exemplary Public Servant Jeff Martin

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter. Jeff Mart...

By Michelle Havich • Feb. 29, 2024

Pedestrian deaths declined modestly in first half of 2023: GHSA

“A decrease in pedestrian fatalities is welcome news,” said the Governors Highway Safety Association's Adam Snider, but the numbers are still far above pre-pandemic levels.

By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 27, 2024

Los Angeles County sues Grubhub over ‘bait and switch’ fees

The county calls for an injunction against alleged deceptive business practices and for Grubhub to pay fines for possible violations of California’s unfair competition and false advertising laws. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 26, 2024

Congress reintroduces PFAS litigation bill

The PFAS Accountability Act would make it easier for those significantly exposed to forever chemicals to sue manufacturers.

By Sara Samora • Feb. 16, 2024

2023 Crown Communities Award winner: Long Beach Calif.’s GUIDES mobile app

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter. Police in...

By Michael Keating • Feb. 15, 2024

San Francisco crowd attacks Waymo driverless car

The incident could signal a self-driving vehicle backlash as Super Bowl ads criticized Tesla’s Autopilot software and city leaders call for local oversight of AVs in their cities.

By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 12, 2024

US cities unlikely to follow Toronto’s bruising effort to curb Uber

The company hit back forcibly when Canada’s largest city tried to cap the number of ride-hailing licenses it grants. 

By Ramona Dzinkowski • Feb. 9, 2024

5 evacuation efficiency planning tips for any scenario

Navigating successful municipal- or county-wide evacuations requires meticulous multi-department planning.

By Richard Danforth • Feb. 2, 2024

As some transit crime rates triple, FTA releases data, other resources

Grant programs to fund crime prevention and security projects also are available, the Federal Transit Administration announced.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 29, 2024

Local government recruiters can use structured interviews and performance-based questions to eliminate bias in the hiring process

Local government recruiters can use structured interviews and performance-based questions to eliminate bias in the hiring process

By Michael Keating • Jan. 23, 2024

Native American tribes are making a big economic impact in Tulsa

Native American tribes are making a big economic impact in Tulsa

By Michelle Havich • Jan. 22, 2024

Announcing the 2023 American City & County Crown Communities and Exemplary Public Servants award winners

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter. Am...

By Michelle Havich • Jan. 17, 2024

Climate funding takes hit in California governor’s 2024 budget proposal

Transit funding, however, was relatively unscathed in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2024-25 fiscal year budget, which represents $20 billion in cuts from last year.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 11, 2024

How 3 states are attacking carbon emissions from transportation

While 21 states sued the federal government over its new rule requiring transportation emission reduction targets, others are forging ahead to clean up this sector.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 8, 2024

NYC starts first compliance period for building emissions reduction law

Even though 89% of covered buildings are set to meet 2024 emissions targets, building owners must act promptly to achieve 2030 goals, experts say. 

By Nish Amarnath • Jan. 4, 2024

Transportation tech, challenges on agenda for new US DOT advisory committee

The wide range of experts will advise the agency in what Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called a time of “unprecedented” challenges and opportunity.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 4, 2024

EPA invests $600M in support of thousands of environmental justice projects

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.The federa...

By Andy Castillo • Jan. 4, 2024

‘COP28 must be the COP of cities’: Local leaders want fossil fuel phaseout, collaboration

Financing for local climate action is top of mind for some city leaders at the summit. C40 Cities’ cochairs demanded in a letter that nations redirect fossil fuel subsidies toward the clean energy transition. 

By Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 1, 2023

US DOT announces $1.5B round of RAISE grants for 2024

The Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity program supports road, rail, transit and port projects, and is open to a wide range of applicants.

By Dan Zukowski • Dec. 1, 2023

House Republicans support high-speed rail but not California’s project

Members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee largely supported passenger and high-speed rail in a Wednesday hearing but split along party lines about California's $128 billion project.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 30, 2023

Biden administration sets new rule for monitoring on-road GHG emissions

The Federal Highway Administration rule requires states and metropolitan planning organizations to establish CO2 emissions reductions targets, setting up a fight with congressional Republicans.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 29, 2023

EPA opens $2B in funding for climate resilience, environmental justice projects

In the national push toward climate resilience, investing in a way that’s equitable for everyone is an important consideration—and one the federal government is currently prioritizing.

By Andy Castillo • Nov. 27, 2023

What’s top of mind for New York’s first customer experience officer

About a month into the job, Tonya Webster discussed her priorities and how she plans to overcome siloed agency processes.

By Kristen Doerer • Nov. 22, 2023