For gig workers, Prop 22 is a racial equity battleground

Because gig workers largely lack stable pay and ample benefits, barring app-based drivers from employee status may present racial equity issues. Cities like New York, Seattle and Philadelphia are imposing their own standards. 

By Caroline Colvin • Sept. 22, 2021

House committee sets aside $4B for transportation carbon reduction initiatives in reconciliation bill

The legislation requires the Federal Highway Administration to set greenhouse gas performance metrics, wherein states would set emissions targets and receive incentives to meet those goals.

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 21, 2021

Construction of Maryland's much-delayed Purple Line to resume early next year

The state plans to pick a new contractor and finalize the cost to finish building the rail line by December.

By Julie Strupp • Sept. 21, 2021

New York City forges ahead with long-debated congestion pricing plan

Public meetings on the plan are set to begin after years of discussion. They come as cities like London have had success with similar schemes and Los Angeles and San Francisco examine the concept.

By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 17, 2021

Ford, Argo AI team up with Walmart for autonomous delivery in 3 cities

As more customers become accustomed to same-day and next-day delivery, Walmart said the service will show how autonomous tech can optimize logistics and operations. 

By Max Garland • Sept. 17, 2021

City leaders should expand their purview of electric transportation beyond cars, experts urge

Bringing electrification to underserved communities will require access, collaboration and outreach, and an emphasis on electrifying school buses, public transit, ride-share and more, panelists at an ICF webinar said Tuesday.

By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 16, 2021

California lawmakers withhold $4.2B from high-speed rail project

Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature project, which has seen pushback at the state level, could gain momentum via new federal funding.

By Joe Bousquin • Sept. 15, 2021

As traffic deaths climb, NTSB chair calls for 'fundamental rethink' of transportation planning

"The current approach, which favors automobiles and punishes only drivers for crashes, is clearly not working,” chair of the National Transportation Safety Board said Monday at the Governors Highway Safety Association’s annual conference. 

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 14, 2021

London dives headfirst into micromobility scooter pilot – big city challenges require big city thinking to ensure success

London, one of the last major city holdouts, finally embarked on a scooter pilot, but only after a well-thought-out and thorough preparation and planning period.

Sept. 13, 2021

With longstanding mobility problems back in the spotlight, cities must consider autonomous vehicles

Many historical transportation challenges in the U.S. are returning worse after pandemic lockdowns. Local leaders have a golden opportunity to leverage autonomous vehicles to create more efficient, equitable systems.

By Eric Tanenblatt • Sept. 10, 2021

Advocates call for $10B more in federal transit funding to address inequities, climate change

As transit remains an infrastructure investment sticking point, a coalition is calling on federal lawmakers to restore the original transit funding that a group of bipartisan senators and the White House agreed to in the infrastructure bill.

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 9, 2021

Are federal AV investigations a first step toward federal regulation? Not necessarily, experts say

Even with growing pressure on the federal government to increase autonomous vehicle oversight, industry watchers don't consider new NHTSA investigations into Tesla's Autopilot and similar technologies a sign of impending change. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 7, 2021

3 cities enter accelerator program to help achieve 100% zero-emissions commercial vehicles by 2030

Chicago, San Diego and San Jose, California, each won $100,000 to reduce emissions through local initiatives that include a cargo e-bike pilot and zero-emission neighborhood zone. 

By Cailin Crowe • Sept. 3, 2021

OEMs make the economic case for autonomous trucks

Driverless trucks bring safety and improved fuel efficiency to the industry, according to Waymo and TuSimple executives.

By Jim Stinson • Sept. 3, 2021

The Boring Co. wants to build an underground transit loop in flood-prone Fort Lauderdale. Can it be done?

Transportation experts say the project is possible, but building a tunnel under South Florida is expensive. "You can engineer yourself out of any problem," said one expert, but it comes at a cost.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Sept. 1, 2021

Tesla made electric trucks ‘cool.’ Now fleets face financial hurdles.

Total cost of ownership for electric trucks is more attractive than diesel, a Navistar executive said at ACT Expo. But issues around charging are significant.

By Jim Stinson • Aug. 31, 2021

London mayor calls for expanding Ultra Low Emission Zone citywide in 2023

The announcement notes that for the city to hit its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, it must cut car traffic 27% by the end of the decade.

By Jason Plautz • Updated March 4, 2022

Transit passengers expect contactless payments to ride safely, survey finds

Contactless payments continue to be a way to allow passengers to travel more safely and with ease, providing peace of mind during a challenging time.

Aug. 30, 2021

US rail projects take longer, cost more than those in other countries

High labor costs, change orders and other factors add millions of dollars to budgets and slow down timelines on U.S. projects, according to a new report.

By Sebastian Obando • Aug. 26, 2021

Electrifying 97% of the federal fleet by 2030 could save billions: report

More than $1 billion in savings would come over the lifetime of light-duty vehicles and buses in the federal government fleet by switching to EVs, a new Atlas Public Policy report finds.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 18, 2021

3D-printed concrete to help build $147B UK high-speed rail system

The new technology that prints structures on-site will reduce the amount of concrete used, thereby nearly cutting carbon emissions in half.

By Matthew Thibault • Aug. 17, 2021

Cities to test commercial EV fleets, smart traffic, curbside management using federal funds

Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and Santa Monica, California, are among the cities set to explore commercial electric trucks, smart loading zones in high-traffic areas, and other innovations with Energy Department funding.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 17, 2021

Curbing climate change requires an end to driving in cities

New U.N. climate report underscores the need to invest in infrastructure that encourages active mobility, get people back on public transit, and have cities reclaim roadways, writes Lime CEO Wayne Ting.

By Wayne Ting • Aug. 13, 2021

Hope renewed for Chicago-St. Louis high-speed rail

A new Illinois commission could accelerate development of high-speed rail in the state, as U.S. passenger rail is poised to receive a $66 billion injection from the bipartisan infrastructure deal.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 12, 2021

NYC Meatpacking District to adopt open streets permanently

As U.S. cities have struggled to maintain the open streets programs they implemented during the pandemic, the Manhattan neighborhood has embraced the concept with plans to close six blocks to vehicle traffic.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 11, 2021