Atlanta gets the first of 56 new electric train sets

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority unveiled its new trains last week. It also plans to redesign more than 100 bus routes, it said.

Boston expands net-zero emissions requirements to new buildings, large additions

The zoning change requires most new buildings to be net zero when they open. The city previously set similar performance standards for existing buildings.

Tesla, Waymo will add more robotaxis to city streets

A more favorable federal regulatory and legislative environment may help propel the growth of driverless ride-hailing vehicles in the United States.

2025’s top smart city conferences

Smart city technology, housing, climate action, road safety and more will take center stage at events in 2025.

Updated Jan. 31, 2025

US DOT says it will tie funding to birth, marriage rates

The agency issued a memo after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy took the reins this week and authorized a series of actions to advance President Trump’s agenda.

US high-speed rail projects: The latest news

The high-speed rail line between Las Vegas and Southern California anticipates completing construction by the end of 2028 and beginning passenger service the following year.

Updated Feb. 3, 2025

How cities could tackle homelessness in 2025

U.S. cities are connecting residents to housing, but adequate funding remains an issue as rates of homelessness remain high.

The Smart Cities Outlook for 2025: Change is coming

From new federal policies to growing technologies like AI and robotaxis, cities will encounter many changes while they continue to tackle housing, homelessness, climate and equity issues.

Zeldin is confirmed as the new EPA administrator. What’s next?

The former New York representative will helm the agency as it navigates executive orders pausing climate programs and reviews pending regulations that could affect the waste and recycling industries.

Updated Jan. 30, 2025

California cities launch nation’s first public hydrogen utility

Although the Inflation Reduction Act's 45V tax credit was critical to its formation, the new utility hopes to avoid dependence on the federal incentive.

Chicago sets new record for shared bike and scooter trips in 2024

The Midwestern city had over 11 million shared bike and e-scooter trips last year, according to a Jan. 8 news release.

What Trump’s infrastructure funding pause means for cities

On Monday, the Office of Management and Budget ordered a freeze on nearly all federal grants and loans. A federal judge paused the administration's freeze until Feb. 3.

Updated Jan. 29, 2025

Transportation Secretary Duffy: ‘We will usher in a golden age of travel.’

President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Transportation Department was confirmed by the Senate Jan. 28. His first act was to start reversing Biden administration increases to federal fuel economy standards.

Updated Jan. 29, 2025

Boston to implement bus transit signal priority citywide

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and the city of Boston saw 8% faster travel times and fewer delays along two test routes last year.

State lawmaker seeks ban in new shot at algorithmic pricing

Landlords’ use of automated rent-setting software is “plainly illegal,” Sen. Jess Salomon in Washington state says.

Right turns on red puts pedestrians at risk, Mineta study says

A 1970s-era federal law requires states to allow right turns on red lights. Mineta Transportation Institute researchers say it’s time to change that.

D.C.’s proposed bottle bill aims to tackle high-profile pollution in Anacostia River

Bill sponsors say a bottle bill could help alleviate pollution that has long affected communities of color. It calls for a 10-cent deposit starting in 2028, with a recycling rate target of 70% the first year.

9 largest commercial construction starts of December 2024

Billion-dollar projects, including a hospital replacement in Houston and a Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, kicked off even as overall construction activity cooled to close the year.

Judge dismisses New York City’s lawsuit against Big Oil

A state judge ruled the city had failed to demonstrate that ExxonMobil, Shell, BP and the American Petroleum Institute had deceived consumers about the climate impact of their fossil fuel products.

Trump nominates Steven Bradbury for deputy transportation secretary

Bradbury served in the first Trump administration. He may face Democratic opposition for his views on EVs and greenhouse gas emission rules.

Schools, hospitals, churches no longer protected from immigration raids

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security lifted the practice of avoiding immigration enforcement at locations previously designated "protected areas" by the Biden administration.

Updated Jan. 23, 2025

Trump freezes IRA funding

Trump also revoked what he calls the Biden administration's “EV mandate” and pulled out of the Paris climate agreement as part of several energy-related actions.

Biden urges mayors to continue the climate change fight

Then-President Biden and then-Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg spoke at a U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting Jan. 17.

Surface transportation reauthorization a top priority for House T&I committee

Separately, President Donald Trump put a freeze on new federal regulations and also ordered a halt to federal funding of electric vehicle charging stations.

5 ways builders say Trump can support construction

The Associated General Contractors of America itemized priorities for the new administration that will help bolster building activity.