Dockless bike, scooter regulations move forward in Los Angeles

The city council's Public Works and Gang Reduction Committee approved the regulations, bringing them closer to a full council vote.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 17, 2018

Elon Musk pitches hyperloop tunnel to L.A. Dodgers stadium

The proposed 3.6-mile route would connect the ballpark to downtown through an underground tunnel in four minutes and cost $1 to ride.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 17, 2018

Explore the 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

Safety report urges caution in transition to AVs

Jonathan Adkins of the Governor's Highway Safety Association (GHSA) warned that "[i]mperfect human drivers aren't disappearing anytime soon."

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 16, 2018

Transit group: Trump administration behind on $1.4B funding

Transportation for America said the Federal Transit Administration has awarded only $25 million of the nearly $1.4 billion allocated in its appropriations bill. 

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 16, 2018

Tech that turns light poles into EV chargers wins NYC climate award

Berlin-based Ubitricity won the first NYCx Climate Action Challenge, and will launch a pilot in the city with the potential for a multi-year demonstration project.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 15, 2018

Bird, Lime demonstrate 'A Day Without Scooters' in Santa Monica, CA

The companies protested an apparent "lock-out" of the city's bike and scooter pilot, following a city council committee recommendation for only Lyft and Jump to participate in the program.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 15, 2018

Rail leaders ‘optimistic’ about hitting train safety deadlines after federal warnings

Aspects of Positive Train Control must be implemented by the end of the year, something the American Public Transportation Association said is within reach.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 15, 2018

Los Angeles subway to install body scanners

The portable scanners — purchased from the U.K. company Thruvision — can screen passengers for metallic and non-metallic objects and can detect items from 30 feet away. 

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 15, 2018

Uber taps UT Austin for flying taxi tech

The university researchers will work with U.S. Army Research Labs to "explore the efficiency and noise signature of stacked co-rotating rotors" for VTOL aircrafts.

By Kristin Musulin • Aug. 14, 2018

Chicago aldermen seek ride-share regulations

Following New York City's lead, the two lawmakers want a driver minimum wage and are investigating a license cap to combat congestion and driver poverty.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 14, 2018

VW-backed Electrify America launches ad campaign to promote EVs

The ad is brand-neutral, and the "Plug into the Present" website associated with the campaign allows consumers to compare models across different EV brands.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 14, 2018

Lime expands equity program to entire vehicle fleet nationwide

Those eligible for Lime Access can unlock the company's dockless scooters and e-bikes at a 50% discount, while its traditional pedal bikes offer a 95% discount.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 10, 2018

IIHS warns of flawed electronic driver assist features

The Virginia-based research group tested adaptive cruise control and active lane control systems in the Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model S, a BMW 5-Series, the Volvo S-90 and the Mercedes E-Class.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 10, 2018

Houston approves docked bike-share expansion

One council member opposed the expansion, saying that BCycle "will not get another vote" from him until the network is expanded to underserved communities.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 10, 2018

NYC becomes first US city to regulate ride-hailing

Drivers must now receive a minimum wage of $17.22 an hour, while new licenses will be frozen for a year as the Taxi and Limousine Commission studies the industry.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 9, 2018

California moves to preserve vehicle standards in face of EPA rollback

State air regulators on Tuesday released a plan that would keep tougher emissions rules in place for California if the Trump administration moves to weaken federal standards. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 9, 2018

Study: Cab drivers, not truckers, at risk with AV proliferation

The research found that truckers are unlikely to be significantly affected because of the existing driver shortage and the belief that autonomous tech will support, instead of replace, them.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 9, 2018

Advocates urge less 'victim-blaming,' better street designs to reduce pedestrian deaths

Representatives said the upwards trend in fatalities is troubling, and that cities should be more welcoming to all modes of transport to help get the issue under control.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 8, 2018

StreetLight Data gets $10M in funding for expansion, innovation

The company plans to use the boost in capital to fund its transportation data analytics capabilities and move into new regions.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 8, 2018

Denver releases set of community growth plans

The visions in Denveright are based on two years of community outreach, and cover land use, transportation, and parks and recreation.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 7, 2018

Cities should embrace the scooter revolution

Something as simple as the electric scooter — once thought of as a child’s toy — can unlock a world of benefits for communities and governments, but only if policymakers have a vision for the future.

By Joe Rinzel • Aug. 6, 2018

US Senate passes ‘minibus’ containing transit, EPA funding

The spending bill includes $16.1 billion for public transit and $8.1 billion for the EPA — which is $2.7 billion more than what was requested in the Trump administration's FY 2019 budget proposal.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 6, 2018

LA Metro to develop MaaS system for TAP smart card program

The account-based system will become a one-stop shop for payments and signups across all mobility services including bike-share and microtransit.

By Kristin Musulin • Aug. 3, 2018

Sacramento, CA reaches deal with Phantom Auto for 6-month AV pilot

The vehicles will be monitored and telecontrolled by technicians at the company's headquarters in Mountain View, CA.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 3, 2018

Bird establishing fund for protected bike lanes

The company is also establishing a Global Safety Advisory Board to work on policies and education to make electric scooter use safer.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 3, 2018