Governance: Page 11

  • A white sedan with large sensors mounted on the roof and front hood drives along a street in San Francisco.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    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 • Oct. 7, 2022
  • Canada geese in Washington, D.C.
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    Mark Wilson via Getty Images
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    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
  • A single rider waits on a train platform at a Washington Metro rail station.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    $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
  • The entrance to the Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C.
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    Retrieved from GAO.
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    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 • Oct. 5, 2022
  • A sign at the Smart Cities Connect conference, held near Washington, D.C., Sept. 26-29, 2022.
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    Maria Rachal/Smart Cities Dive
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    Smart Cities Connect

    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
  • Exterior of the New York Library
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    Miles Astray via Getty Images
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    Smart Cities Connect

    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
  • A photo of two people boarding a bus in New York City.
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    Daniel Barry/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
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    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
  • City of Bend, Oregon With Scenic Mountains in Distance
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    JamesBrey via Getty Images
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    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
  • Rendering of futuristic flying car
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    Chesky_W via Getty Images
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    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
  • Colorado river passing by downtown Austin
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    simonkr via Getty Images
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    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
  • Long exposure Light trails of train moving in tunnel
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    MR.Cole_Photographer via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by GM Future Roads

    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
  • A stylish Japanese businessman in glasses reading a notebook and watching news on augmented reality screen while sitting in an autonomous self-driving zero-emissions car.
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    gorodenkoff via Getty Images
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    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 • Sept. 22, 2022
  • Homeless young man sitting on sidewalk and begging alone. He is wearing protective face mask.
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    urbazon via Getty Images
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    To curb homelessness, Denver commits $2M for basic income pilot

    Households will receive up to $12,000 in direct cash payments over the course of the year. The Denver Basic Income Project is among a flurry of cash assistance programs being piloted or supported by U.S. cities.

    By Kalena Thomhave • Sept. 21, 2022
  • Overhead view of highway with cars and trucks with lines drawn among them implying connected vehicles using intelligent transportation systems.
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    metamorworks/iStock via Getty Images
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    To break an impasse in connected vehicle tech, transportation leaders call for a federal policy framework

    A national framework could address the chicken-and-egg problem of who should invest in the technology first, carmakers or communities, transportation experts say. Without such guidance, each is hesitant to move forward.

    By Michael Brady • Sept. 19, 2022
  • Concept rendering of the proposed City of Telosa.
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    Permission granted by BIG and Bucharest Studio
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    Can a billionaire’s planned city be equitable?

    Existing planned communities impart lessons about maintaining economic and racial diversity, but doubts remain about whether a city planned by private interests like Telosa can truly achieve equity.

    By Adina Solomon • Sept. 13, 2022
  • Close-up image of cash and credit cards
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    bernie_photo via Getty Images
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    Basic income pilots gain momentum across US cities

    At least a dozen U.S. cities have implemented unconditional direct cash payment programs over the past year, as advocates seek to build evidence and experts debate the most effective structures.

    By Gaby Galvin • Sept. 8, 2022
  • A white Lincoln MKZ self-driving vehicle is driving around a circle at the University of Michigan test facility.
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    Courtesy of University of Michigan
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    With autonomous vehicle caucus, Congress members aim to advance technology for self-driving cars

    The bipartisan group looks to educate fellow members of Congress and have them experience riding in a self-driving car while pushing legislation intended to spur the development of AVs in the U.S.

    By • Sept. 8, 2022
  • A rendering of Denver's 16th Street Mall renovation project.
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    Permission granted by City and County of Denver
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    Denver wants to return its downtown to pre-pandemic vibrancy

    The Mile High City is using federal COVID-19 recovery funds to aid its efforts in transforming the busy business district into a neighborhood. 

    By Danielle McLean • Sept. 1, 2022
  • Boston MBTA train to Braintree at an outdoor station in foggy, wet weather
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    Maddie Meyer via Getty Images
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    FTA reprimands Boston-area transit system management for safety failures

    Poor decisions and lax attention to safety were among the Federal Transit Administration’s criticisms in its 90-page report.

    By • Sept. 1, 2022
  • Close-up of front hood of a gray car from the right side, with an electric vehicle charging cable plugged in to the front of the hood.
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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    California sets road map to complete ban on gasoline-powered vehicle sales by 2035

    Under the Clean Air Act, 17 states and D.C. can now follow this lead. Massachusetts established a trigger law this month to adopt the regs once California does. Automakers are worried about their ability to meet the timeline.

    By • Aug. 26, 2022
  • Homeless young man sitting on sidewalk and begging alone. He is wearing protective face mask.
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    urbazon via Getty Images
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    Cities slow to distribute federal homelessness relief funds, HUD OIG finds

    City and state staffing shortages and challenges coordinating other funding sources have hampered the fast impact of $4 billion from the CARES Act. It takes time for cities to build capacity, experts say.

    By Danielle McLean • Aug. 25, 2022
  • E-bikes in a city.
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    ABBPhoto via Getty Images
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    California seeks public input in crafting e-bike incentives

    In its bid to cut carbon emissions, the California Air Resources Board is holding working group meetings as it determines how to run the program aimed at helping people afford the vehicles.

    By Charles Pekow • Updated Aug. 24, 2022
  • Construction workers work on an infrastructure project.
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    Construction workers work on an infrastructure project. via Getty Images
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    To help small cities compete for infrastructure grants, NLC offers a new round of ‘boot camps’

    Free technical assistance through the Local Infrastructure Hub aims to help leaders leverage data in grant requests and convey how grants would address federal priorities. Participants will also get one-on-one help, organizers say.

    By Charles Pekow • Updated May 31, 2023
  • Empty parking stalls are equipped with electric vehicle chargers, under a canopy that contains solar panels.
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    Aranga87 via Getty Images
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    Inflation Reduction Act concerns, shortfalls seen by EV, clean energy, environmental leaders

    Strict requirements for making EVs and content sourcing for critical minerals could challenge manufacturers, experts say, and climate progress depends on governments using funds from the climate and infrastructure laws wisely.

    By • Aug. 18, 2022
  • An Indian man wearing headset talking at virtual meeting
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    insta_photos via Getty Images
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    Telework has improved team performance for government workers, research finds

    Government workers that telework report improved team performance and manager trust, research released from Eagle Hill Consulting showed.

    By Laurel Kalser • Aug. 17, 2022