Transportation

  • Several construction vehicles on an unpaved section of a highway with cars passing on the adjacent pavement.
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    krblokhin via Getty Images
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    Surface transportation legislation in 2026: What we know so far

    Congress has begun work that will determine the next five years of funding and policies for highways, mass transit and other transportation modes.

    By • May 7, 2026
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Governments should help finance infrastructure — not construct and run it

    When delays and cost escalations carry no financial consequence, they become routine. To prevent this, project governance structures must align capital with performance.

    By Bob Hellman • May 7, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Top 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
  • A soccer ball and bronze "2026" lettering in front of an American flag.
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    CrailsheimStudio via Getty Images
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    How cities and transit agencies are preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

    An influx of out-of-town and international visitors creates challenges to keeping transit systems and roadways running smoothly.

    By Smart Cities Dive Staff • May 5, 2026
  • A rendering of the Voltpost Air charger retrofitted onto a utility pole.
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    Permission granted by Voltpost
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    Washington, D.C., grants over $600,000 for EV charging stations

    The D.C. Department of Energy and Environment is splitting the grants among three companies, including one that retrofits them into existing infrastructure and was previously awarded IIJA grants.

    By Lamar Johnson • May 4, 2026
  • A Volkswagen van lettered for "Beep" and "Moia" parked in front of a multicolor windowless building.
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    Courtesy of Beep/Moia America
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    Autonomous VW buses to begin microtransit service in Florida community

    Beep and Moia plan to expand on-demand and scheduled circulator services throughout the country, Beep’s CEO said.

    By • May 1, 2026
  • Side view of a transit bus lettered "metrobus" on a street with buildings behind it.
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    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
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    How transit agencies can hire and keep front-line workers

    An Urban Institute researcher predicts that “under current trends, the cost of service will go up over time.”

    By • April 30, 2026
  • Overhead view of dozens of people crossing streets in different directions.
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    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
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    Cities urged to apply now for safe streets and roads grants

    The U.S. Department of Transportation’s SS4A funding opportunity may be its last if the program isn’t renewed, a Stantec executive said.

    By • April 29, 2026
  • A small, futuristic airplane with several vertical propellers flies over water with the skyline of lower Manhattan behind.
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    Courtesy of Joby Aviation
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    Joby Aviation air taxi takes flight in NYC

    The air taxi developer and the Federal Aviation Administration are demonstrating advanced air mobility in a nationwide tour.

    By • April 28, 2026
  • Boxes on a train zoom past a railroad crossroad
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    David McNew via Getty Images
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    $1.1B available for railroad grade-crossing safety

    The Crossing Safety Program aims to address the over 2,000 collisions and nearly 300 fatalities yearly since 2021.

    By • April 27, 2026
  • Large group of men and women at a table with confetti flying above them. Sign on table reads Brightline West.
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    Ethan Miller via Getty Images
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    Surface Transportation Legislation

    Bill to streamline transit project permitting introduced in House

    The bipartisan legislation seeks to bring parity between transit and highway projects to the National Environmental Policy Act permitting process.

    By • April 24, 2026
  • People stand in line to board a green bus seen through a glass partition.
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    Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
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    How 4 trends favor intercity buses

    As gas prices and air fares rise, more and better buses may entice travelers, an expert says.

    By • April 23, 2026
  • Construction continues on the Hudson Gateway Tunnel project
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    Spencer Platt/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Surface Transportation Legislation

    Civic leaders outline 8 surface transportation priorities

    Nine business-led organizations from major cities urged Congress to support passenger rail and transit programs in upcoming transportation legislation.

    By • April 22, 2026
  • Many people walking and standing on a train station platform alongside a train with buildings in the background.
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    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
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    Amtrak to get $4.7B for Northeast Corridor projects, opens bids for new long-distance trains

    The U.S. Department of Transportation also opened applications for funding to improve passenger rail ridership and enhance multimodal connections with intercity buses.

    By • April 21, 2026
  • A blue and purple bus along a road in Virginia.
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    Courtesy of Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
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    Virginia launches cross-state bus service

    The state-supported Tidewater Current route links 10 cities from Virginia Beach to Harrisonburg, with a stop at Richmond International Airport.

    By • April 20, 2026
  • Line of cars sitting in a traffic jam.
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    Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Stuck in traffic: How to get the urban mobility dream moving

    Policy fragmentation, weak incentives and political hesitation are stalling the future of urban mobility. Here’s how cities can break the gridlock.

    By François-Joseph Van Audenhove, Mickael Tauvel, Arsene Ruhlman, Vadim Panarin and Philipp Seidel • April 20, 2026
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    Adobe Stock / Newport Coast Media

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    Sponsored by PCL Construction

    Los Angeles’s future-thinking strategy for 2028 Olympic venues

    With support from builders like PCL, LA is investing in infrastructure to support the 2028 games.

    April 20, 2026
  • Many people walking toward the camera underneath a structure with a stopped transit bus.
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    Courtesy of Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority
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    Atlanta transit agency’s revamped bus network starts Saturday

    The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority streamlined bus routes for “modern customers using transit in an ever-evolving Atlanta region,” it said.

    By • April 17, 2026
  • A bald man in a dark suit and tie sits at a desk in front of a microphone.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    Transit and rail funding cuts in Trump budget ‘a dramatic step backward,’ advocates say

    The fiscal year 2027 budget proposal slashes billions from transportation programs and eliminates funding for high-speed rail.

    By • April 16, 2026
  • Back view of a man holding a smartphone in front of a white Waymo vehicle with an Uber sign on the front door.
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    Courtesy of Uber Technologies
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    Uber eyes $10B robotaxi investment: Financial Times

    The ride-hailing company may begin a shift from driver-owned vehicles to company-owned robotaxi fleets, according to the newspaper.

    By • April 15, 2026
  • A view of a large ferry boat seen through a sign that reads "Public Market."
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    John Moore via Getty Images
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    $657M for ferries available from 3 FTA grant programs

    Separately, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $517 million in grants for bridges in rural areas.

    By • April 13, 2026
  • A young person in a red-stripe shirt looks down at her smartphone while standing on an island platform in a wide road.
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    Getty Images
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    It’s the most dangerous part of a transit bus trip. These experts have ideas to make it safer.

    A report from the Center for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety recommends ways to reduce pedestrian crashes at or near bus stops.

    By • April 10, 2026
  • Aerial view of a large, low round stadium structure with a point at one end. Homes surround the stadium in the background.
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    johnemac72 via Getty Images
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    How cities can prepare to overcome FIFA World Cup transportation hurdles

    Three transit experts offer recommendations for public transit, traffic congestion and coordinating with law enforcement officials.

    By • April 9, 2026
  • A silver subway train with its doors open to an empty platform.
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    Courtesy of Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
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    Los Angeles to open subway extension May 8

    The nearly 4-mile extension is the first of three that will provide a through ride from downtown Los Angeles to Beverly Hills by 2027.

    By • April 7, 2026
  • The dome of U.S. Capitol is seen framed by trees.
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    Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
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    Surface Transportation Legislation

    5 policy principles that will be key to next surface transportation bill

    A Consumer Reports white paper evaluates six options to fund highways, bridges and mass transit.

    By • April 6, 2026
  • Yellow sign with graphic of a traffic signal reads "Red light photo enforced" over another yellow sign depicting pedestrians against a blurred backround of a city street.
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    Getty Images
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    Automated traffic safety cameras: life-saving or revenue-raising?

    Automated technologies have reduced speeding and red-light violations in some cities. The U.S. Department of Transportation wants to limit their use.

    By • April 3, 2026