Transportation

  • A winding road with a few cars through a hilly landscape.
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    Getty Images
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    DOT proposes streamlining land leases along roads, railroads for utility use

    Revenues from the leases could fund repairs and upgrades for roads, bridges, tunnels and railroads along the corridors, according to a U.S. Department of Transportation proposal.

    By • Aug. 28, 2026
  • Standing people with luggage lean against a low fence with dark gray buses lined up behind them.
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    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
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    Greyhound’s 5-year turnaround: new buses, more routes, new customers

    The company is part of an intercity bus revival, with better intermodal terminals in major cities and an upgraded customer experience.

    By • Aug. 27, 2026
  • smart city, smart cities Explore the Trendline➔
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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
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    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
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    Tracking new transit openings in 2026

    More than a dozen new light rail, bus rapid transit, streetcar, subway and commuter rail extensions are due to go into service this year. Another light rail line in Illinois and bus rapid transit lines in Louisiana, California and Houston are underway.

    By • Aug. 26, 2026
  • A small aircraft with six propellers on the ground in front of restaurants and entertainment venues.
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    Courtesy of Archer Aviation/AEG
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    Air taxi vertiport coming to downtown LA sports complex

    Archer Aviation, the official air taxi provider for the 2028 Olympic Games in Southern California, adds the venue to its network of flight facilities in the region.

    By • Aug. 25, 2026
  • A long blue bus on an empty road next to a bus shelter in late evening.
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    Permission granted by Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
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    Las Vegas debuts bus rapid transit line to grow ridership, improve service

    The $378 million project along a 7.3-mile corridor includes bike and bus lanes, wider sidewalks and shade trees.

    By • Aug. 24, 2026
  • Aerial view of an airport with runways, air traffic control tower, parking lot and other buildings.
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    The image by Insightwm is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    125-mph passenger trains could connect San Antonio and Austin, Texas, in about an hour: HNTB study

    The trains would run on a dedicated rail line and cost about $13.5 billion, according to a feasibility study commissioned by Travis County.

    By • Aug. 21, 2026
  • A person stands on a sidewalk next to a traffic signal as cars whiz by.
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    Courtesy of Ouster/Georgia Department of Transportation
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    Utah to add intelligent intersections

    The Utah Department of Transportation aims to improve safety for vulnerable road users by using lidar-based traffic management technology.

    By • Aug. 19, 2026
  • A sleek 2-door bronze color vehicle crosses an intersection with trees and buildings in the background.
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    The image by 9yz is licensed under CC BY 4.0
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    Tesla readying Cybercab launch in Austin, Texas: The Information

    The two-seat Cybercab, which lacks typical driver controls, will likely begin test rides with Tesla employees before opening to the public, according to news reports.

    By • Aug. 18, 2026
  • Two locomotive lable Amtrak next to a station platform with people on it.
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    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
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    Amtrak, cities and states get $5.3B in federal rail grants

    Using funds from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Federal Railroad Administration awarded grants to 41 projects across 23 states.

    By • Aug. 17, 2026
  • Aerial view of a large viaduct.
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    Courtesy of California High-Speed Rail Authority
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    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 • Aug. 14, 2026
  • Locomotive and passenger train at a station with many people.
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    Courtesy of Metrolink
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    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 • Aug. 13, 2026
  • A red, white and blue locomotive and train at a station with a person walking toward an escalator.
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    Dave Collins via Getty Images
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    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 • Aug. 12, 2026
  • A small yellow aircraft with six propellers parked on an airport apron.
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    Courtesy of Wisk Aero
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    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
  • A green bus at a bus stop with two people on the sidewalk and tall buildings in the background.
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    Courtesy of New Flyer
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    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 • Aug. 11, 2026
  • Two people prepare to enter a Waymo ride-haling vehicle in San Francisco.
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    Courtesy of Waymo
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    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 • Aug. 10, 2026
  • A person driving and a person in the back seat of a black car.
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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    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 • Aug. 7, 2026
  • Two people in suits speaking to each others with more people in the background.
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    Jemal Countess via Getty Images
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    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 • Aug. 6, 2026
  • Person in blue suit at a podium surrounded by people beside and behind.
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    (2026). "Thune: Congress Has Important Work Ahead, Starting With Government Funding" [Video]. Retrieved from John Thune.
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    Surface Transportation Legislation

    Reduced 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 • Updated Aug. 10, 2026
  • A sleek blue and silver train near a pastoral scene of greenery and small homes.
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    olrat via Getty Images
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    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 • Aug. 3, 2026
  • A blue vehicle with a large front window and sensors mounted on the upper sides seen on a busy urban street.
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    Courtesy of Zoox
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    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 • July 31, 2026
  • A green, blue and white bus stopped on red brick pavement under palm trees on a sunny day.
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    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
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    $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 • July 30, 2026
  • A rendering of a modern-looking building at sunrise. The glass outer covering is partially obscured by foliage.
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    (2026). [Photograph]. Retrieved from U.S. Department of Transportation.
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    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
  • Cars and people outside a large ornate white building.
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    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
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    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 • July 29, 2026
  • People cross a street underneath elevated train tracks at night.
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    "The street beneath the underground" by Franck Michel is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    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
  • View through the windshield of a vehicle with a white robotaxi just ahead.
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    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
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    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 • July 28, 2026