Governance
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Courtesy of Kenworth
California’s clean-truck rules: a fleet owner’s view
Although the state’s rules face legal pushback from trucking interests and 19 states, one pioneering fleet owner found surprising benefits as he began buying heavy-duty electric trucks.
By Dan Zukowski • April 23, 2024 -
Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
How 5 commuter railroad leaders envision their future
“The face of commuter rail is evolving,” one commuter railroad CEO told lawmakers during a House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee hearing.
By Dan Zukowski • April 19, 2024 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Drew Angerer via Getty Images
TrendlineVehicle Electrification
Cities and states are trying to harness the growing electric vehicle market to meet decarbonization goals while ensuring the rollout of these vehicles is being done equitably. Their efforts are aided by an influx of federal support.
By Smart Cities Dive staff -
Courtesy of Regional Transportation Authority
Electric bus, railcar purchases sought by Chicago-based transit authority
The region’s three major transit agencies are hoping $375 million in Inflation Reduction Act funds will usher along their transition to zero-emission fleets by 2040.
By Dan Zukowski • April 17, 2024 -
Cindy Ord via Getty Images
Transit worker safety the focus of FTA plan updates
Meant to address bus collisions, assaults on transit workers and other risks, the updates to Federal Transit Administration rules would also give transit workers more say in workplace safety.
By Dan Zukowski • April 15, 2024 -
Courtesy of Texas Central
High-speed rail project in Texas gets high-level US, Japan support
The Texas Central project would connect Dallas and Houston using Japan’s Shinkansen bullet train technology. Amtrak announced its involvement in August.
By Dan Zukowski • April 12, 2024 -
sanfel via Getty Images
How transit agencies can succeed at outsourcing operations
A new report from the Eno Center for Transportation delves into public transportation best practices for a successful relationship with the private sector.
By Dan Zukowski • April 11, 2024 -
ferrantraite via Getty Images
$20.5B in federal funds for public transit available in FY 2024
The funding will support urban, rural and tribal communities with grants "to start new projects, fix old infrastructure, and ensure fast, safe, convenient service,” the acting Federal Transit Administrator said.
By Dan Zukowski • April 5, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
State transportation projects need better Federal Highway Administration oversight: DOT audit
Delays could increase the risk of the 2021 infrastructure law funding not achieving its intended benefits, cautions the audit by the Transportation Department’s Office of Inspector General.
By Dan Zukowski • April 4, 2024 -
Courtesy of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Cities look to AI-powered cameras to keep bus lanes clear
Automated bus-mounted camera enforcement systems from Hayden AI, which will soon be implemented in Los Angeles, enabled faster average bus speeds and fewer bus collisions in New York City.
By Dan Zukowski • April 3, 2024 -
bombuscreative via Getty Images
Government officials, transit agencies get silly on social for April Fools’ Day
Denver is now the 1.6-kilometer-high city. Amtrak has an emotional baggage car. Here are some of our favorite April Fools’ Day jokes posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
By Ysabelle Kempe • April 2, 2024 -
traveler1116 via Getty Images
$7.5B for transportation and infrastructure projects available from USDOT
The grant programs support projects “so large, complex, and ambitious that they could not get funded under the infrastructure programs that existed prior to this administration," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.
By Dan Zukowski • April 1, 2024 -
Ingo Dörenberg via Getty Images
Texas court strikes down federal rule requiring states to monitor and set targets for highway GHG emissions
The rule faced swift backlash from state attorneys general after it was issued in November. Supporters of the requirement say it makes the transportation planning process more transparent.
By Dan Zukowski • March 29, 2024 -
baranozdemir via Getty Images
What’s stifling city climate action? Municipal finance practices, one report says
The Boston University researchers highlight how city funding approaches make emissions reduction projects easier to move forward than climate adaptation projects.
By Ysabelle Kempe • March 27, 2024 -
T&I Committee Republicans. (2024). "Rural Transportation Challenges: Stakeholder Perspectives" [Video]. Retrieved from House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
‘Rural states have unique needs’: Transportation providers spotlight challenges at House hearing
Rural bus operators, members of Congress and other witnesses argued for greater local and state control over transportation policies at a House subcommittee hearing last week.
By Dan Zukowski • March 26, 2024 -
Brandon Bell/Getty Images via Getty Images
Q&A15 minutes with the first state-level chief heat officer
As Arizona shifts its approach to managing extreme heat risk, Eugene Livar wants to bring communities the resources they need without reinventing the wheel.
By Ysabelle Kempe • March 15, 2024 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Local mandates protecting workers from heat would be banned under Florida bill
The legislation on the desk of Gov. Ron DeSantis would block counties and cities from requiring companies to provide workers with water, rest and shade.
By Zachary Phillips • March 15, 2024 -
Megan Varner via Getty Images
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.
By Dan Zukowski • March 14, 2024 -
Andreart1 via Getty Images
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.
By Dan Zukowski • March 11, 2024 -
Brandon Bell/Getty Images via Getty Images
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.
By Ysabelle Kempe • March 7, 2024 -
Adam Gray via Getty Images
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.
By Dan Zukowski • March 7, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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 -
Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images
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 -
Sara Samora/Smart Cities Dive
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 -
Courtesy of Waymo
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
