2023 Smart Cities Outlook

In the year ahead, city leaders will face economic headwinds while tackling the housing shortage and changes in travel behavior and decarbonizing transportation and buildings.

By Michael Brady • Feb. 1, 2023

ChargePoint, Stem strike EV charging and battery storage deal for highway corridor fast-charging networks

Combining charging, battery storage and AI-driven energy management will save money for EV site operators, the companies say.

By Stephen Singer • Feb. 1, 2023

US DOT awards $800M toward street safety

The allocation comes from the first funding round of the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program, part of the 2021 infrastructure law.

By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 1, 2023

10 US cities ready for a ‘smart city future’

Tomorrow’s smart cities will have robust technology and green infrastructure, along with strong tech job markets, according to a report from real estate technology company ProptechOS.

By Michael Brady • Feb. 1, 2023

Baltimore’s B&P rail tunnel on track for $4.5B replacement

The 150-year-old Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel is the largest rail bottleneck between Washington, D.C., and New Jersey, according to the White House.

By Jen Miller • Feb. 1, 2023

EV transition not keeping pace with US climate goals: report

Gas-powered cars need tighter regulations for the U.S. to meet its 2030 emissions target, while not enough urban charging or utility upgrades could constrain electrification, one report author said.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 31, 2023

To close budget gaps, transit agencies face hard decisions in 2023

Remote work, crime and reduced service are deterring riders and cutting into fare revenue, leaving agencies to look for new funds or cut service.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 31, 2023

Shared-Use Mobility Center highlights opportunities for micromobility in city climate action plans

The role of micromobility is not discussed much in climate action plans, but that could be improved going forward, one Shared-Use Mobility Center representative explained during a webinar last week.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 30, 2023

DC launches public shared micromobility dashboard

The District of Columbia also announced that VeoRide would operate shared electric scooters and bikes in the city, but Helbiz and Bird will not.

By Michael Brady • Jan. 30, 2023

7 projects to watch in 2023

From an NFL stadium to a major airport expansion and a massive manufacturing plant, these high-profile, high-impact projects are expected to hit significant milestones this year.

By Construction Dive Staff • Jan. 30, 2023

FTA makes $21B available to transit agencies, communities

The public transportation funding for the 2023 fiscal year could enable new bus and rail car purchases, help with repair backlogs, and support fleet modernization and adoption of climate-friendly technologies.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 30, 2023

NYC to require zero-emission fleets from Uber, Lyft by 2030

“That’s zero emissions for over 100,000 vehicles on our city streets. And it will be achieved with no new costs for individual drivers,” Mayor Eric Adams said in the State of the City address Thursday.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 27, 2023

Tesla sets sales record as safety concerns mount

California banned automakers from advertising self-driving capabilities that still require a driver in control, while NHTSA is investigating Tesla’s Autopilot system.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 26, 2023

Walkable urban areas are popular but have an affordability problem: report

People are paying a premium to live in dense and walkable neighborhoods, according to new data analysis, which could be a bright spot for downtowns impacted by pandemic-era work changes.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 25, 2023

El Paso to reconnect neighborhoods divided by highway with deck plaza

The Texas city will work with Stantec on the design and planning for a downtown public space with regional amenities over Interstate 10, which might also be widened as part of the project.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 25, 2023

Illinois investing nearly $114 million in downstate transit

The money will go to a wide range of transportation improvements, including electric and hybrid-electric transit vehicles, electric vehicle charging stations, new bus shelters, solar panel installations and facility expansions.

By Michael Brady • Jan. 25, 2023

DOT provides $29.4M to repair California roads damaged by floods

The money will support efforts by the state transportation department and four federal agencies to fix highways, bridges and other infrastructure.

By Colin Campbell • Jan. 25, 2023

Cost of proposed San Francisco commuter, high-speed rail tunnel grows to $6.7B

The 1.3-mile tunnel would bring commuter trains to the downtown transit center, but pre-pandemic ridership hasn't returned along the line.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 24, 2023

Phoenix chooses Lime, Spin for shared micromobility program

The operators will permanently rent electric scooters and bikes, traditional pedal bikes and adaptive bikes. The city expects those added options will help amid an expected flux in Super Bowl visitors next month.

By Michael Brady • Jan. 24, 2023

2023 could see more tiny vehicles, significant transportation investments, experts say

Transportation experts, including a former New York City transportation commissioner, shared some of their trends to watch this year during a virtual event hosted by America Walks.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 23, 2023

Oakland, California, aims to improve curb management with smart loading zones

The city is working with tech company Populus to allow commercial fleet operators to automatically pay for curb use by the minute to address growing deliveries and crowded curbs.

By Michael Brady • Jan. 23, 2023

Chicago may test parking enforcement tech to cut traffic deaths

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the technology could help the city address its rising traffic fatalities, which climbed over 50% between 2019 and 2021.

By Michael Brady • Jan. 20, 2023

Mayors partner with Hertz on rental EVs and public charging

Shell also recently announced it’s buying charging network operator Volta in a $169 million deal, and electric charging equipment supplier Tritium is getting its largest-ever order from BP.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 20, 2023

Amtrak to replace 40-year-old rail cars on long-distance trains

The nation’s passenger rail company will use funding from the 2021 infrastructure law to upgrade its long-distance trains.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 20, 2023

Electric vehicles near ‘tipping point’ in 2023

Key developments for EV adoption this year include implementing federal incentives, developing a national charging network and addressing utility issues, according to transportation, energy and real estate professionals.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 20, 2023