Shared mobility key to urban climate action, city leaders say

As 200 nations gather for the COP27 international climate summit, city leaders see shared mobility as the path to “making our communities healthier and more livable for everyone.” 

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 2, 2022

Housing, transit, environmental issues on state and local ballots

Residents in 37 states will vote on 132 statewide ballot measures on Nov. 8, according to Ballotpedia. Read our coverage on measures addressing top smart city concerns.

By Michael Brady • Oct. 31, 2022

California moves toward mandating zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles

To fight air pollution, the California Air Resources Board discussed a proposal to begin requiring government and commercial fleets to purchase cleaner vehicles. A plan could be in place by next year.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 28, 2022

Social impact bonds for affordable housing gain popularity among cities

Communities are turning to social impact bonds to fund affordable housing. Some recent city experiences suggest their predictability can attract investors.

By Kalena Thomhave • Oct. 26, 2022

EV charging station rollout hampered by outdated state, city regulations: report

An electric vehicle charging station is not a petroleum storage tank system, but some governments regulate it as such. That will have to change to speed up the electric vehicle transition, a new research report says. 

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 25, 2022

Senators grill Boston transit leaders on safety lapses

"Shameful" is how Sen. Markey described the safety lapses of America's first public transit system in the rare hearing.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 14, 2022

CA, MA put high-earner tax increases on November ballots for transit, EVs, other initiatives

Proposals to tax high-income individuals are meeting stiff opposition, including one big-name surprise. Polls show voters largely favor these measures.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 14, 2022

Transit measures are on the November ballot in these city and county elections

Will voters agree to new taxes to fund public transit, streets, roads, and bike and pedestrian paths? That question is on November’s ballot in local elections across the country. 

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 13, 2022

Landlords bear the burden of gun safety in their communities

Most states leave tough decisions about the complicated issue of firearm restrictions to multifamily property owners.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 12, 2022

City leaders say they’re balancing budgets now but less confident about the future

Equipped with federal relief money and bolstered by tax revenue from a strong housing market, nearly 90% of finance officers say they’ve been able to meet their city’s financial needs, according to an annual National League of Cities report. 

By Danielle McLean • Oct. 12, 2022

DOL proposes new test for independent contractors

The ruling could have major implications for ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft, which rely on independent contractors for drivers.

By Ryan Golden • Updated Oct. 11, 2022

Cybersecurity needs a statewide approach, state chief information officers, Deloitte say in new report

Cities often hesitate to work with states on cybersecurity to protect their autonomy, but that could change as local governments vie for new cybersecurity grants, the report authors suggest.

By Michael Brady • Oct. 10, 2022

Small business rent delinquency trends improving: survey

Small retailers appear to be recovering from the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic downturn, but nearly a third still can’t pay rent.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 10, 2022

AV industry still needs to prove safety to cities and states, mobility leaders say

Consider public acceptance of autonomous vehicles now and when taxpayers may have to pay for the technology that enables connected roads, MOVE America conference speakers said. 

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 7, 2022

When Canada geese swarm cities, officials flock to solutions

Once on the brink of extinction, Canada geese have roared to a comeback. Today, their overpopulation in much of the U.S. leads to feces-contaminated parks and waterways.

By Adina Solomon • Oct. 6, 2022

$100 monthly transit subsidy bill advances in Washington, DC

Such a program may help mitigate the Washington Metro Area Transit Authority’s pandemic-era financial losses and could support other priorities related to traffic safety, health and climate.

By Kalena Thomhave • Oct. 5, 2022

How cities and states can compete for infrastructure funds

Massachusetts’ mobility chief said the FHWA is looking for innovative and data-backed projects focused on safety and vehicle electrification at the MOVE America conference in Austin, Texas.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 5, 2022

3 takeaways from the Smart Cities Connect fall conference

Public- and private-sector professionals shared ideas on how to get support for procurement, make progress on open-source and interoperable technologies and more.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 30, 2022

How to move pilot projects to permanent programs

Officials from Frisco and San Antonio, Texas, and the New York Public Library system, shared at the Smart Cities Connect conference their challenges when transitioning trials to full programs and their strategies to overcome them.

By Danielle McLean • Sept. 30, 2022

Ridership surpasses 70% of pre-pandemic levels, boosting transit agency finances: APTA

Growing ridership could help transit agencies address their financial problems, avoiding service cuts and fare hikes.

By Michael Brady • Sept. 29, 2022

For many cities, budgets are doing fine, but worries about the future remain

Rising home prices and a surge in federal funding helped provide some stability for city budgets during the pandemic, but inflation or a recession could create new pressures.

By Karen Kroll • Sept. 27, 2022

Don’t let flying taxis be the next scooters, city planners warn

Private companies could begin operating air taxi services by 2024, experts said during the ITS World Congress in Los Angeles. Cities need to plan their regulatory approach now.

By Michael Brady • Sept. 27, 2022

Austin, other US cities look to combat legacies of housing discrimination

Systemic discrimination cost Black homeowners in Austin, Texas, over $290 million, according to a recent report. Leaders of that city and others are pledging to address structural inequities.

By Gaby Galvin • Sept. 26, 2022

Connected vehicle insights help Washington D.C. better understand school zone traffic safety

The district uses crash, volume, speed and demographic information from Safety View by GM Future Roads and INRIX to help reduce injuries among children.

Sept. 26, 2022

Self-driving cars’ benefits, perils outlined in new report

Autonomous vehicles have the potential to improve equity and safety but need regulation at all levels to ensure those outcomes, an Urban Institute report concludes.

By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 22, 2022