The Latest

  • Images from charging documents depict an armed suspect wearing a mask.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT for the District of Maryland.

    FBI thwarts neo-Nazi plot to attack Baltimore Gas & Electric substations, ‘completely destroy’ city

    Two suspects were charged in federal court in Maryland with plotting to attack utility substations with firearms. Experts say the plan could have resulted in widespread power outages.

  • Asphalt art installation in Fairbanks, Alaska.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Corey DiRutigliano

    Louisville launches asphalt art crosswalk pilot

    The installations by local artists planned for April aim to improve pedestrian safety at four of the city’s major downtown intersections while showcasing its arts and culture.

  • The Los Angeles skyline at night under a deep orange sky.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski

    EVs reduce asthma, air pollution: California study

    Researchers at the University of Southern California’s medical school drilled down to ZIP code-level data, revealing fewer electric vehicles and related health benefits in lower-income communities.

  • Statue of Liberty and New York City Skyline with Manhattan Financial District, Battery Park, Water of New York Harbor, World Trade Center, Sail Boat and Dramatic Orange and Blue Sunset Sky with Clouds
    Image attribution tooltip
    OlegAlbinsky via Getty Images

    Top 10 metro areas for construction starts

    Even when adjusted for inflation, commercial and multifamily construction starts were robust in 2022 as projects moved back toward urban cores, according to a new report.

  • A participant in Denver's e-bike rebate program.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Denver Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency

    What Denver’s climate office learned from early e-bike rebate enthusiasm

    Mike Salisbury, transportation energy lead in the Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency, explains what inspired the program and how the local government adapted to a huge public response.

  • A residential San Francisco street.
    Image attribution tooltip
    ibsky/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

    California approves San Francisco’s plan to build 82,000 homes

    More than half the homes will be affordable units for low- and moderate-income households, helping the region meet its affordable housing goals.

  • Exterior of a Whole Foods store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Catherine Douglas Moran/Smart Cities Dive
    Deep Dive

    Whole Foods’ controversial exit from a Chicago neighborhood, explained

    The chain’s experience in the Englewood community highlights the opportunities and pitfalls grocers can face in areas with limited access to affordable and healthy foods.

  • A car with front-end damage is being loaded onto a flatbed truck while several more crashed vehicles are seen behind it on an expresway near downtown Chicago.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Scott Olson via Getty Images

    US DOT launches roadway safety call to action

    Nearly 50 governments, non-government organizations and private-sector partners have committed to taking specific actions this year to reduce roadway deaths.

  • The left front of a green bus on a street is marked as "Electric Bus."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Scharfsinn86 via Getty Images

    Transit agencies’ zero-emission bus adoption increased in 2022

    California, New York, Florida, Texas and Massachusetts together added more than 1,500 zero-emission transit buses to their fleets.

  • A new multifamily housing development.
    Image attribution tooltip
    agil73/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

    Florida Republicans propose state rent control ban with affordable housing funding and incentives

    Senate Bill 102 would prohibit local rent controls and use tax incentives, gap financing and additional state funding to boost affordable housing. Affordable housing advocates say the proposal leaves renters vulnerable.

  • A city skyline during the day with several office buildings behind trees.
    Image attribution tooltip
    hallojulie via Getty Images

    More urban trees could prevent heat-related deaths: study

    As extreme heat and its negative health effects become more widespread, researchers draw a link between increasing tree cover and minimizing mortality.

  • The entrance to the Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from GAO.

    Federal agency seeks input on AV safety documentation

    With the Department of Transportation pushing to reduce vehicle-related fatalities, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is weighing whether additional federal rules on autonomous vehicle safety are warranted.

  • Two young children are crossing the street at a crosswalk while a car waits for them.
    Image attribution tooltip
    KatarzynaBialasiewicz via Getty Images

    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.

  • A view of downtown Austin, Texas.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Joe Raedle/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images

    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.

  • A stack of concrete pipe.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kwanchai_Khammuean via Getty Images

    New Jersey adopts law spurring low-carbon concrete

    Heralded as a first-of-its-kind law in the U.S., the policy will create tax credits to incentivize the development and procurement of concrete that lowers or captures emissions associated with the highly polluting industry.

  • A train going through a tunnel
    Image attribution tooltip
    Drew Angerer via Getty Images

    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.

  • Electric cars driving on the wireless charging lane of the highway. Solar panel station and wind turbine on the roadside.
    Image attribution tooltip

    adobe.com/chesky

    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.

  • Many people exit and enter a silver New York City subway trains at a Manhattan underground station.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Deep Dive

    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.

  • Image attribution tooltip
    Astrid Stawiarz via Getty Images

    New York City to reform zoning to add housing in Midtown Manhattan

    During his State of the City address last week, Mayor Eric Adams also announced new funding to enforce tenant protection laws and expanded free broadband services for residents who live in public housing.

  • A close-up angular view of a government building in Washington, D.C. with a sign reading "United States Environmental ProtectionAgency"
    Image attribution tooltip
    Skyhobo via Getty Images

    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.

  • Computer-generated image of creative office working space with plants.
    Image attribution tooltip
    alvarez via Getty Images

    Office conversions will soar this year: report

    Apartments have made up one-third of office conversion activity since 2016, according to a report by commercial real estate firm CBRE.

  • The entrance to the Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from GAO.

    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.

  • An aerial view of Washington, D.C. that includes the Washington Monument.
    Image attribution tooltip
    LUNAMARINA/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

    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.

  • Rendering of vast airport space with floor to ceiling windows on the right and skylights above.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

    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.

  • Image attribution tooltip
    Alex Wong via Getty Images

    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.