How transit signal prioritization can easily reduce traffic and bring riders back to mass transit

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.There’s no...

By Bobby Lee • Feb. 15, 2022

Two years out, transportation leaders reflect on pandemic changes

Faced with a drastic loss of riders and revenues in early 2020, transit executives refocused their planning around equity, economics and community engagement, they said in a recent webinar.

By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 15, 2022

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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

Uber, Lyft talk city trends, micromobility, future of AVs on 2021 earnings calls

As riders and drivers return following pandemic lows, the ride-sharing providers said on separate earnings calls that they see growth ahead, though they're charting different paths on delivery service and autonomous vehicles.  

By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 11, 2022

States must develop EV infrastructure plans to access $5B in federal funding: DOE, DOT

Federal officials on Thursday unveiled the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program that will make $615 million available to states in fiscal year 2022. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 10, 2022

2022 could be a big year for new transit openings if delays abate

Transit agencies expect to finish 22 new bus and rail projects this year, but struggles with labor and materials shortages could delay them.

By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 9, 2022

Sidewalk detection and safety monitoring are creating 'watershed moment' for micromobility

As transportation robotics company Superpedestrian comes off a $125 million funding round, Development and Public Affairs Director Paul White says cities are "setting the bar" for safety as scooters and other small vehicles proliferate.

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 8, 2022

Electric truck deployments could jump tenfold as interest surges, study says

Zero-emission truck deployments are heavily concentrated in California, New York and Texas. 

By Jim Stinson • Feb. 8, 2022

Report: There’s been a half-billion e-scooter and e-bike trips since 2010

Report: There’s been a half-billion e-scooter and e-bike trips since 2010

By Andy Castillo • Feb. 5, 2022

Concerns about safe deployment of autonomous vehicles aired at Congressional hearing

While autonomous vehicles offer the promise of improved safety, they bring questions of costs, absence of federal safety standards, and far-ranging impacts for cities and the workforce. 

By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 4, 2022

Smart Cities Dive 2022 Outlook

In the year ahead, city leaders will continue preparing for the electrification of cars, buses and buildings, while also tackling the complex challenges of crime, growing inequities, labor shortages and extreme weather.

Feb. 2, 2022

Open Mobility Foundation approves its Curb Data Specification tool

The group’s board of directors this week approved the initiative designed to improve the use and safety of city curbs, “one of the most high-demand public assets,” LADOT General Manager Seleta Reynolds said in a statement.  

By Jason Plautz • Updated May 6, 2022

Pittsburgh bridge collapse raises questions, infrastructure funding concerns

The span fell the day President Joe Biden was visiting to promote the IIJA, underscoring his push to improve the nation's dated infrastructure.

By Matthew Thibault • Feb. 1, 2022

More electric buses join transit fleets as costs and technology improve

As zero-emission buses are added to more transit fleets, officials and bus manufacturers are optimistic about their potential, but they caution that planning, training and learning from other cities are needed.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 31, 2022

Connected vehicle tech at impasse as NTSB, FCC fight over spectrum issues

Two federal agencies can't agree on data communications spectrum needs for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications that experts say will save lives.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 28, 2022

8 trends shaping cities in 2022

Cities continue to confront challenges surrounding the pandemic, the climate crisis, rising inequality and public safety this year.

By Cailin Crowe, Danielle McLean, Maria Rachal, Dan Zukowski and Jason Plautz • Jan. 26, 2022

How Keolis North America CEO sees the state of public transportation today

As public transit agencies struggle with labor challenges and changing ridership, the head of a large private sector contractor that operates bus and rail systems across North America seeks to help cities adapt.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 25, 2022

Creative financing needed to boost EV charging infrastructure: DOE

As the White House aims to roll out a network of 500,000 EV chargers, a speaker at the National EV Charging Summit said public dollars alone can't meet Biden's 2030 goal for half of passengers vehicle sales to be EVs. 

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 21, 2022

Lyft, Bird execs say subsidies, infrastructure crucial to expanding micromobility

Cities should prioritize making parking for micro-electric vehicles universal and pay "pennies on the dollar" to provide service in less profitable, low-density neighborhoods, industry leaders said this week during Micromobility World.

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 14, 2022

U.S. transportation department announces $27B program to repair America’s bridges

From Maine to California, Texas to Minnesota, an estimated 43,000 American bridges are in a state of disrepair. A historic $27 billion initiative made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law intends to see 15,000 of those bridges repaired in the near future.

By Andy Castillo • Jan. 14, 2022

North Carolina sets goal to sell 50% zero-emission vehicles by 2030

An executive order released Friday by Gov. Roy Cooper expands the state's climate ambitions with new goals for zero-emission transportation and workforce equity.

By Emma Penrod • Jan. 11, 2022

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg praises smart city innovation at CES

In a virtual address last week, Buttigieg said he anticipates that cities will be built on connected technology and guided by government policy that encourages collaboration, experimentation and support for workers.  

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 10, 2022

Electric, autonomous delivery vehicle boom expected on city streets as inventories and orders grow

With Amazon, FedEx and Walmart among those placing major orders for electric delivery vehicles, thousands will appear on the road in coming years, executives announced at CES.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 7, 2022

Scooter helmet laws pit safety against accessibility

Miami allowed scooters to return to city streets with a new helmet requirement, but some critics warn that top-down helmet mandates do more harm than good.

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 6, 2022

At last, an infrastructure bill that gives people a reason to get out of their cars

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act could bring tech-enabled mobility to urban ‘transit deserts,' expanding economic opportunities while reducing emissions and traffic congestion, writes Via's head of public policy. 

By Andrei Greenawalt • Jan. 6, 2022

The road ahead: How legacy auto brands will level the EV playing field in 2022

After setting the stage at CES with lofty product announcements, carmakers will focus on value, range and brand heritage to close the gap with disrupters like Tesla.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 5, 2022