Transportation
-
Courtesy of California High-Speed Rail Authority
California high-speed rail project could run out of money by end of 2027, inspector general says
State infusions of $1 billion a year over 20 years won’t come fast enough to keep construction on track, the authority’s Office of Inspector General said.
By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 14, 2026 -
Courtesy of Metrolink
Commuter railroads scramble to meet 24% jump in liability insurance coverage requirements
Passenger railroads have until Sept. 4 to find new policies they can afford. If they can't, they may have to cease operating, an industry advocate warns.
By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 13, 2026 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Getty Images
TrendlineTop 5 stories from Smart Cities Dive
From worsening climate change to a shifting transportation landscape and the housing affordability crisis, cities have their work cut out for them.
By Smart Cities Dive staff -
Dave Collins via Getty Images
FTA grants $1.28B for Utah commuter rail
The 83-mile FrontRunner rail line connecting Ogden, Salt Lake City and Provo would get more trains and track, but federal funding questions could impact the project.
By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 12, 2026 -
Courtesy of Wisk Aero
Archer Aviation to acquire eVTOL company Wisk Aero from Boeing
The aircraft giant will acquire nearly 20% of Archer's Class A shares and make a future stock investment in the company.
By Sara Samora • Aug. 12, 2026 -
Courtesy of New Flyer
Transit bus orders remain strong in North America, bus manufacturer says
U.S. transit agencies need to replenish their aging bus fleets, driving demand despite tariffs and uncertain future funding, NFI Group’s CEO said.
By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 11, 2026 -
Courtesy of Waymo
Uber, Waymo go from robotaxi partners to competitors
Each company plans to grow its robotaxi operations in the coming years as cities deal with regulations, lobbying and safety issues.
By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 10, 2026 -
Drew Angerer via Getty Images
How ride-hailing services Uber, Lyft boosted local economies: Carnegie Mellon study
Per capita GDP and gig employment — but not total employment — grew in the regions where these services launched in the 2010s, the study found.
By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 7, 2026 -
Jemal Countess via Getty Images
Uber to operate robotaxis in Los Angeles, San Francisco this year
Uber will launch its first fleet of Lucid robotaxis as it continues partnerships with Waymo, Motional and Avride, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said.
By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 6, 2026 -
(2026). "Thune: Congress Has Important Work Ahead, Starting With Government Funding" [Video]. Retrieved from John Thune.
Surface Transportation LegislationReduced transportation funding approved by Senate in stopgap bill
Public transit faces a 20% cut and passenger rail an 83% cut in the Senate reconciliation bill, which funds the federal government until Dec. 11.
By Dan Zukowski • Updated Aug. 10, 2026 -
olrat via Getty Images
High-speed trains would get new noise regulations in FRA proposal
The update “will remove a major obstacle” to future U.S. high-speed rail projects, the Federal Railroad Administrator said.
By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 3, 2026 -
Courtesy of Zoox
Zoox purpose-built robotaxis get first-ever nod from NHTSA for paid rides
No steering wheel, no pedals, no problem: Zoox will start charging customers for rides in Las Vegas next month, following approval by local regulators.
By Dan Zukowski • July 31, 2026 -
Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
$610M available for FTA bus grants
This round could close out five years of Federal Transit Administration bus investments from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, with future funding uncertain.
By Dan Zukowski • July 30, 2026 -
(2026). [Photograph]. Retrieved from U.S. Department of Transportation.
Trump reveals plans for $22.5B Dulles airport overhaul
Municipal bonds and public-private partnership opportunities would finance Trump’s plan to modernize Washington Dulles International Airport.
By Matthew Thibault • July 30, 2026 -
Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
Washington Union Station renovation seeks private investment
The U.S. Department of Transportation will invest $24 million to develop a public-private partnership, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.
By Dan Zukowski • July 29, 2026 -
Accessible pedestrian signal rollout in Chicago ahead of targets, but technical gaps persist: report
Improvements are needed to ensure blind and low-vision pedestrians can safely use the system, inspectors say, but the city has exceeded its court-ordered installation requirement.
By Lori Tobias • July 29, 2026 -
Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
Waymo robotaxis safer than human drivers: IIHS report
Waymo vehicles operating in self-driving mode were involved in 68% fewer crashes than human drivers in comparable conditions, according to a new Insurance Institute for Highway Safety report.
By Dan Zukowski • July 28, 2026 -
Retrieved from U.S. Department of Transportation/X.
Surface Transportation LegislationMass transit, bike lanes, EV infrastructure face substantial cuts in DOT proposal
Building and expanding interstate highways is a priority for the administration’s next surface transportation legislation, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a letter to six Senate leaders.
By Dan Zukowski • July 27, 2026 -
Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
$530M from state millionaire tax will go to Boston-area transit agency
The infusion from the state’s fiscal year 2027 budget will help cover the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s operating expenses.
By Dan Zukowski • July 24, 2026 -
Courtesy of Tesla Motors
Tesla robotaxis now open to riders in 4 cities
Tesla CEO Elon Musk wants to bring its robotaxis to more cities “as fast as humanly possible,” he told investors during the company’s earnings call.
By Dan Zukowski • July 23, 2026 -
Getty Images
Hundreds of smart traffic intersections coming to the Houston area
Emergency vehicles will get priority in the Harris County system, part of a 12-year agreement with Miovision.
By Dan Zukowski • July 22, 2026 -
(2026). "Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Member Day" [Video]. Retrieved from T&I Committee Republicans/YouTube.
Surface Transportation LegislationMultiyear surface transportation legislation in doubt, experts say
The legislation that funds highways and mass transit appears stalled in the Senate after the House passed a bipartisan five-year bill.
By Dan Zukowski • July 21, 2026 -
Adam Gray via Getty Images
OpinionThe World Cup was a transportation stress test. Cities got an A-plus.
Digital transportation infrastructure pilots became real — and helped move millions of people around host cities. Policymakers should build on that momentum.
By Rachel McCleery • July 21, 2026 -
Sponsored by National Association of State Procurement Officials
Before you buy: Procurement strategies for modern transit fleets
Modern transit fleets start with smart procurement. Here's what to consider before you buy.
By Micah Gibson, Communications Coordinator, NASPO • July 20, 2026 -
Adobe Stock/Mikael Damkier
Sponsored by Energy Systems Group (ESG)Beyond the stadium: What the World Cup can teach every community about first impressions
Why the visitor experience begins long before the first match and lasts long after the final whistle.
July 20, 2026 -
Heather Diehl via Getty Images
Bike lanes, speed cameras removed from FHWA safety measures list
The Federal Highway Administration did not announce its decision to remove the measures. One member of Congress has asked it to explain.
By Dan Zukowski • July 17, 2026
