Transportation

  • Pilot wearing a helmet looking at digital displays from inside an aircraft.
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    Courtesy of Archer Aviation
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    Archer Aviation begins piloted air taxi test flights

    “Everything responded exactly as we trained for,” Archer’s test pilot said. The company plans to begin carrying passengers as soon as 2026.

    By • June 12, 2025
  • A man helps a person in a wheelchair up a ramp into a vehicle.
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    Courtesy of May Mobility
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    Seattle outlines 7 priorities for autonomous vehicle adoption

    Robotaxi policies should factor in equity, workforce training, safety and environmental concerns, diverse city residents said.

    By • June 11, 2025
  • A drone in the sky carries a Walmart-branded package.
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    Courtesy of Walmart
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    Walmart to expand drone delivery to 5 more cities

    Customers in Atlanta, Houston and more will be able to tap into the technology by next year as part of the retailer's deepening collaboration with Wing.

    By Max Garland • June 11, 2025
  • A crowd is gathered in front of a shiny train in Phoenix, with colorful smoke in the background.
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    Courtesy of Valley Metro
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    $1.34B Phoenix light rail expansion opens

    The 5.5-mile South Central Extension is expected to add 8,000 riders per day on Valley Metro's light rail lines. The project overcame construction delays and a ballot measure from opponents.

    By Julie Strupp • June 10, 2025
  • Highway construction site with work vehicles.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    $5.4B in federal funds available for bridge construction, repair, maintenance

    The Trump administration changed the criteria for these grant programs to eliminate requirements related to equity, climate and inclusive economic development.

    By • June 10, 2025
  • Two construction workers in hardhats with a highway behind them.
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    John Moore via Getty Images
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    How the Texas DOT uses AI

    Artificial intelligence is helping traffic incident response and promises much more, department leaders said.

    By • June 9, 2025
  • Two men shaking hands in front of a sign that reads "The White House - Washington."
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    5 takeaways from Trump’s proposed 2026 budget for rail and public transit

    Amtrak would be spared budget cuts, while public transit could get a 1.5% funding boost.

    By • June 6, 2025
  • Artist's rendering of an aerial view of an open-air train station with multiple tracks and a sleek high-speed train stopped at a platform.
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    Courtesy of California High-Speed Rail Authority
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    Can California high-speed rail survive without federal funds?

    While the California High-Speed Rail Authority looks for a path forward, some believe additional state or private funding will be hard to find.

    By • June 5, 2025
  • Podcast cover image for "Cities in Motion," presented by TomTalks and Smart Cities Dive, featuring an aerial view of a busy urban highway network.
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    Danielle Ternes/Smart Cities Dive
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    Sponsored by TomTom

    [Podcast] Key trends in urban mobility transformation

    In this podcast series, explore trending topics related to the larger theme of urban mobility transformation challenges and opportunities.

    By Smart Cities Dive's studioID • June 4, 2025
  • Nighttime view of congested Midtown Manhattan street with people walking across.
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    Alex Kent via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    NYC’s congestion pricing could be halted, but the data says it’s working

    TomTom data shows a significant shift in traffic patterns, with congestion levels dropping considerably across the city, a company expert says.

    By Ralf-Peter Schäfer • June 4, 2025
  • Two men from behind standing on a factory floor wearing visibility vests reading "Alstom."
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    Courtesy of Alstom/Mike Fowler
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    Alstom opens new passenger rail car manufacturing plant in New York

    The $75 million facility reshores production of stainless steel car body shells from Brazil and creates or retains nearly 650 jobs.

    By • June 3, 2025
  • Chicago silver colored commuter train moving on elevated tracks to railroad station in between urban city buildings of Chicago, Illinois.
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    Mlenny via Getty Images
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    Chicago-area public transit faces up to 40% service cuts

    The Illinois General Assembly ended its legislative session without resolving a $770 million budget gap affecting train, bus and commuter service across Northern Illinois.

    By • Updated June 13, 2025
  • Two electric bikes with riders on a street pavement.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Californians leap at state e-bike voucher offer

    The popular program offsets e-bike costs for low-income residents and aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.

    By • May 30, 2025
  • Los Angeles's downtown skyline enveloped in smog.
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    David McNew via Getty Images
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    Trump ends California vehicle emissions waivers

    Clean vehicle advocates say air quality and public health will suffer; auto and petroleum industry lobbyists supported the move to end California’s authority under the Clean Air Act.

    By • Updated June 13, 2025
  • Two people prepare to enter a Waymo ride-haling vehicle in San Francisco.
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    Courtesy of Waymo
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    As robotaxis proliferate, safety, sustainability, traffic congestion concerns grow

    Federal legislators and administrators want autonomous vehicle legislation to enable greater innovation; Uber, Tesla and other companies see opportunity. 

    By • May 27, 2025
  • Six construction workers stand on rebar along a viaduct.
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    Courtesy of California High-Speed Rail Authority
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    California high-speed rail project seeks outside investors

    Facing possible loss of federal grants, the authority leading the $128 billion project looks for new funding sources.

    By • May 22, 2025
  • A woman in a blue jacket at a podium holding up a letter surrounded by several people.
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    (2025). [Video]. Retrieved from New York State.
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    Judge stops DOT action against New York congestion pricing

    A federal court judge issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting the Department of Transportation from imposing punitive actions as a deadline passed for New York to end its tolling program.

    By • Updated May 28, 2025
  • Overhead view of a busy city intersection with an articulated bus and many cars.
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Public transit ridership hits post-pandemic high: APTA report

    U.S. transit ridership hit 85% of pre-pandemic levels in early 2025 despite still-low office occupancy, the American Public Transportation Association reports.

    By • May 20, 2025
  • Rendering of simulated Archer air taxi operations over Los Angeles.
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    Courtesy of Archer Aviation
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    Archer Aviation named official air taxi of 2028 LA Olympics

    Archer’s air mobility network, which will include vertiports near sport stadiums and other venues, could help Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ push for a “no-car Games.”

    By • May 19, 2025
  • People gather around new electric buses in Miami.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    US DOT opens $1.5B funding round for transit buses and bus facilities

    This year’s funding round, part of the 2021 infrastructure law, drops equity- and sustainability-related requirements.

    By • May 16, 2025
  • A Wing drone used by DoorDash delivers a Wendy's package.
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    Courtesy of DoorDash
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    DoorDash, Wing bring drone delivery to Charlotte

    Panera is among a handful of restaurants now offering drone delivery from a shopping center in the North Carolina city.

    By Julie Littman • May 16, 2025
  • Workers wearing reflective vests pull hand carts with large boxes on the side of a city street.
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    Courtesy of New York City Department of Transportation
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    NYC launches ‘microhub’ pilot to reduce truck delivery congestion, pollution

    Dedicated spaces for delivery trucks allow last-mile deliveries to be made by cargo bikes, pushcarts and zero-emission vehicles.

    By Danielle McLean • May 15, 2025
  • Man in red hat with a ball cap reading "Trump is right about everything" seated at a table with other men and women.
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Federal safety agency asks Tesla for details of its planned robotaxis

    Tesla CEO Elon Musk previously announced plans to launch driverless ride-hailing services in Austin, Texas, and the San Francisco Bay Area this year.

    By • May 15, 2025
  • Tall buildings seen at a distance shrouded in smog.
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    David McNew via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Congress could soon revoke California’s vehicle emissions standards

    State and local authority over air quality will be jeopardized if Congress revokes California’s auto emissions limits, experts say.

    By • May 14, 2025
  • Aerial view of four cars driving in three lanes with white directional arrows.
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    carlofranco via Getty Images
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    They’re not streets. They’re not roads. ‘Stroads’ present challenges for cities.

    Designed to accommodate both local access and high-speed traffic, stroads require extra safety precautions. 

    By Karen Kroll • May 13, 2025