Uber, Lyft more responsive to ride demand than taxis are during emergencies: study

“In light of our findings, service providers and city planners should reevaluate and improve their mobility platform, particularly under emergencies, disasters and hazards,” one researcher said.

By Michael Brady • April 28, 2023

Asphalt art grants of $25K available from Bloomberg Philanthropies

“It’s amazing what a few cans of paint — and a forward-looking community — can achieve,” Bloomberg Philanthropies founder and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement.

By Michael Brady • April 27, 2023

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

NYC subway authority agrees to make 95% of stations accessible under settlement

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.New York C...

By Andy Castillo • April 26, 2023

NYC subway stations to get more elevators, ramps after MTA legal settlement

“Only about a quarter of stations are usable by people with disabilities affecting their mobility,” according to Disability Rights Advocates, which sued the Metropolitan Transportation Authority on behalf of people with disabilities.

By Michael Brady • April 26, 2023

New FTA requirements coming for transit agency safety plans

The 2021 infrastructure law directed the Federal Transit Administration to strengthen rail inspection practices, reduce assaults on transit vehicle operators and improve safety training.

By Dan Zukowski • April 26, 2023

$25B for fare-free transit? Federal lawmakers take third shot at passing legislation

The proposed legislation would create competitive grants to help transit providers establish zero-fare programs, improve bus service and pay for the increased costs of higher ridership.

By Dan Zukowski • April 25, 2023

Elon Musk’s company town plans worry some locals, urban planners

The plans for Snailbrook, near Boring Co. and future SpaceX manufacturing facilities in central Texas, raise questions about local governance, environmental impacts and more.

By Adina Solomon • April 24, 2023

Chicago may lose its only intercity bus station, placing burden on disadvantaged travelers

Nearly a half-million passengers could be forced to wait at curbside stops for Greyhound and other intercity bus services, even in Chicago's harsh winters.

By Dan Zukowski • April 24, 2023

ARPA funds used to fill city budget gaps, Brookings analysis finds

Spending American Rescue Plan Act funds on “revenue replacement” allowed localities to free up money for long-term priorities, such as economic development, a Brookings Metro researcher said.

By Kalena Thomhave • April 21, 2023

Cybersecurity best practices for smart cities issued by CISA

Smart city technologies are at risk “of exploitation for espionage and for financial or political gain by malicious threat actors,” according to the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

By Michael Brady • April 21, 2023

High-speed rail projects vie for scant federal dollars

There’s not enough money available in the current round of grant funding to meet the needs of the California High-Speed Rail Authority and Brightline West. 

By Dan Zukowski • April 20, 2023

Safer bus transit corridors for pedestrians, cyclists require creative solutions on every corner: report

“Each intersection, station, and even midblock area requires a unique and sometimes creative approach to maximize safety for people walking and biking,” a Transportation Research Board report found.

By Michael Brady • April 20, 2023

The future looks bright for the EV market: A guide to navigating the Infrastructure and Inflation Reduction Acts

Both the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act offer many incentives for municipalities and individuals to invest in electronic vehicles (EV) and the underlying infrastructure.

By Barry Carr • April 20, 2023

New York City to test local delivery hubs

Microhubs will provide designated locations for trucks to unload items for last-mile delivery providers in a pilot program starting this summer. The city hopes they will curb traffic congestion and lower vehicle emissions. 

By Max Garland • April 19, 2023

Creating safe streets for all users takes community engagement, funding, transportation leaders say

As the U.S. Department of Transportation opens grant applications for more than $1 billion to improve local road safety, equity for vulnerable road users is the subject of a new webinar series.

By Dan Zukowski • April 19, 2023

5 major airport projects take off in the South

Funding from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law is fueling aviation construction around the country.

By Julie Strupp • April 19, 2023

US traffic deaths reach highest level since 2005: NHTSA

Nearly 43,000 people died in crashes on U.S. roadways in 2022, finds a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report. The total essentially matches 2021’s, which was the highest estimated fatality rate since 2005.

By Michael Brady • Updated April 21, 2023

$14B for city and state transit awarded in FTA formula grants

The Federal Transit Administration funds can go toward improving public transportation, upgrading stations and tracks, converting bus fleets to zero-emission vehicles and services for older adults and those with disabilities.

By Dan Zukowski • April 17, 2023

With recent crash, road safety again thrust into the spotlight

A Maryland collision that killed six construction workers nabbed national headlines and was a reminder that job sites are at the mercy of speeding drivers.

By Jen Miller • April 17, 2023

Are your operations EV-ready? Share your expertise and insight in landmark industry research survey by April 28

Electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure are poised to transform the parking, transportation and mobility industry. IPMI released an EV readiness survey to capture critical benchmarks and data.

By Rachel Yoka, CAPP, LEED AP BD+C • April 17, 2023

Flying electric boat closer to takeoff as Regent unveils full-scale mock-up

With more than 500 orders to date, the company’s CEO said commercial service is expected to begin by mid-decade, starting in Hawaii.

By Dan Zukowski • April 14, 2023

The costs and surprises of EV charging, according to convenience store retailers

Read the EV charging station maintenance challenges, lessons learned and more from convenience and fuel operators, who are a big part of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure nationwide.

By Brett Dworski • April 14, 2023

FedEx and Amazon still haven’t figured out sidewalk delivery robots. Will mass adoption ever come?

Delivery giants' tests of autonomous bots fizzled out. But many logistics experts still believe that the technology can catch on, creating potential challenges for cities.

By Max Garland • April 13, 2023

Booming EV sales amp up the pressure on cities and companies to meet charging demand

“This is a wake-up call,” an executive at an energy management company said. “The transformation required to enable widespread vehicle electrification will be a massive challenge.”

By Dan Zukowski • April 13, 2023

$1 billion in grants to prevent traffic deaths available: DOT

This year’s application process differs significantly from last year’s, including a new portal to submit applications and an updated definition of underserved community, the Transportation Department said.

By Michael Brady • April 12, 2023