Transportation

  • An LA Metro light rail train turning across a street intersection in downtown Los Angeles.
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    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
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    FTA focuses on rail transit collisions with cars, pedestrians at street level

    Nineteen people died and 133 were injured last year after collisions with transit trains that run in and alongside city streets.

    By • Sept. 28, 2023
  • U.S. capitol building with stormy skies
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    Douglas Rissing via Getty Images
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    ‘Everybody’s going to be impacted’: Fed shutdown would delay civil work

    Infrastructure projects will be held up if the government is not funded by Sunday, according to the White House and the American Society of Civil Engineers’ president.

    By Julie Strupp • Updated Sept. 27, 2023
  • Explore the Trendline➔
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Vehicle 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
  • A photo of people riding Bird scooters.
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    Mario Tama/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
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    NYSE suspends trading of Bird Global stock

    The micromobility company has struggled since going public in late 2021, but Bird’s interim CEO says the delisting won’t affect its commitment to the cities it works with.

    By • Sept. 26, 2023
  • An overhead view of a Brightline train breaking through a banner while confetti flows at the new Orlando, Florida station.
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    Courtesy of Brightline
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    Florida’s Brightline kicks off passenger rail service to Orlando

    The 235-mile intercity line connects Miami and other South Florida cities to the resort destination. Orlando’s mayor called the privately owned service “a transformational step forward.”

    By • Sept. 25, 2023
  • Signs for a power supply for electric cars
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    FooTToo via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by FLO

    The secret to building a strong CFI funding application

    Make your CFI funding application stand out with these simple tips.

    Sept. 25, 2023
  • Workers repairing an Amtrak tunnel under the Hudson River.
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    Courtesy of Amtrak
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    Amtrak to triple infrastructure investment over two years

    With funding from the 2021 infrastructure law, Amtrak plans major work on bridges, tunnels and other projects.

    By • Sept. 22, 2023
  • Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaking at a Congressional hearing.
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    Retrieved from House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
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    Buttigieg grilled over rollout of infrastructure funds by House committee

    Some Republican committee members questioned the pace of funding and its climate and equity aims while Democrats were largely supportive of the Biden administration's goals.

    By • Sept. 21, 2023
  • People on an e-bike and scooter.
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    Courtesy of Bird
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    Bird acquires Spin in $19M deal

    The acquisition makes Bird the largest micromobility operator in North America by market share as the industry faces financial headwinds.

    By • Sept. 19, 2023
  • Red New Orleans Street Cars along Canal Street
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    THEPALMER via Getty Images
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    New Orleans adds AI technology to improve traffic safety around streetcar lines

    Smart sensors from NoTraffic will be part of a traffic monitoring system powered by artificial intelligence in a partnership between local authorities and the private sector. 

    By • Sept. 19, 2023
  • An electric bike parked outside a New York City supermarket.
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    Spencer Platt/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
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    NYC Council approves safety-focused e-bike and e-scooter trade-in program

    The program would help owners upgrade to electric bikes and e-scooters that meet UL certification requirements set by a New York City law that took effect Sept. 16.

    By • Updated Sept. 21, 2023
  • Electric cars charging at electricity filling station
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    CreativeNature_nl via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Franklin Electric

    Charging ahead: How remote access capabilities improve EV charging infrastructure

    Take a closer look at how remote access improves on-the-go-charging.

    Sept. 18, 2023
  • Tire turned into the curb.
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    georgeclerk via Getty Images
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    Curb-management innovations: Lessons from smart and zero-emission loading zone pilots

    Local business pushback, regulatory barriers and other challenges face cities testing ways to create more orderly curb traffic.

    By Karen Kroll • Sept. 14, 2023
  • An outside photo of the California State Capitol.
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    The image by Jim Bowen is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    California’s Senate passes bill to restrict driverless trucks

    The measure could require an operator onboard heavy autonomous vehicles for years. Supporters and opponents both argued that the matter relates to safety.

    By David Taube • Sept. 14, 2023
  • Sunrise view of futuristic eVTOL air taxi landing amid a city skyline.
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    XH4D via Getty Images
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    Urban Air Mobility

    Air taxis will soon be flying over major US cities

    “There’s a role for municipalities to play” in building out air taxi infrastructure, said a former FAA acting administrator, but time is short.

    By • Sept. 12, 2023
  • A red and gray Los Angeles Metro bus is driving through an intersection along Broadway in downtown LA.
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    Laser1987 via Getty Images
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    How 2 big US transit agencies approach equity

    Community members, small businesses and the agency's own workforce can provide crucial input to programs and projects, agency executives said.

    By • Sept. 8, 2023
  • Three yellow delivery drones carrying packages fly near several tall buildings.
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    iLexx via Getty Images
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    Commercial drone use to expand as FAA approves remotely piloted operations

    The Federal Aviation Administration authorized three companies to fly drones outside the visual range of operators, amid mounting concerns about safety, privacy and noise.

    By • Sept. 7, 2023
  • A self-driving car with artificial intelligence.
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    hakule via Getty Images
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    Ignoring AI is not a viable option for transportation officials: report

    Artificial intelligence can create safer, more convenient and more equitable transportation systems, says an Eno Center for Transportation report.

    By • Sept. 6, 2023
  • Two blue Revel EVs next to charging stations.
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    Permission granted by Revel
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    Opinion

    New York City just mandated electric ride-sharing vehicles. Other mayors should take notice.

    Ride-sharing vehicles should be the first movers when it comes to cities’ vehicle electrification efforts, argues Revel’s CEO.

    By Frank Reig • Sept. 6, 2023
  • A blue electric New York City transit bus at an overhead charging station.
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    Courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA
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    Fleet electrification: 5 principles to help state and local governments plan

    World Resources Institute researchers spoke with local governments, transit agencies and consultants to uncover the pitfalls of and best practices for shifting to electric vehicles.

    By • Sept. 1, 2023
  • A promotional image for Mobilyze Pro, a platform by Freewire to help companies determine the best locations for chargers.
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    Permission granted by Freewire
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    Tech company unveils AI-powered platform to determine ideal EV charging sites

    Freewire Technologies’ tool aims to help the businesses and c-store retailers using its chargers determine optimal locations to place them.

    By Jessica Loder • Aug. 31, 2023
  • Electric scooters on a sidewalk in a city with people and buildings in the background.
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    Garrett Aitken via Getty Images
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    Bird loses permit to operate scooters in Baltimore

    The shared micromobility company faces numerous business challenges along with losing its permit in the Maryland city of nearly 600,000 residents.

    By • Aug. 31, 2023
  • Aerial view of a long bridge with triangular arches spanning a large body of water.
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    The image by Komzet is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Q&A

    IIJA just the beginning of infrastructure remediation, civil engineering group president says

    ASCE's Maria Lehman says the infusion of federal funding will help address long-neglected upkeep across the country, but states and the private sector must also pitch in.

    By Julie Strupp • Aug. 30, 2023
  • An upside-down vehicle is submerged in blue water with just two wheels showing.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Florida officials warn EV owners to move vehicles away from ‘catastrophic’ storm surge

    Florida reported 21 electric vehicle battery fires associated with flooding during Hurricane Ian in 2022. "We know that the saltwater ... can compromise these batteries," the state's fire marshal said.

    By • Aug. 30, 2023
  • The left front of a green bus on a street is marked as "Electric Bus."
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    Scharfsinn86 via Getty Images
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    Transit bus makers struggling despite federal funding support

    Major transit bus manufacturers can't keep up with orders, and some have encountered financial difficulties.

    By • Aug. 29, 2023
  • Two cars in a collision with damage to the front and side on a multi-lane road.
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    kadmy via Getty Images
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    Are automated driving systems the answer to traffic deaths?

    Autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems promise road safety improvements, but are also the subject of safety regulators' investigations.

    By • Aug. 28, 2023