Transportation

  • Rendering of futuristic aircraft with Manhattan skyline.
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    Courtesy of Archer Aviation
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    Archer Aviation outlines plans for New York air taxi network

    The eVTOL manufacturer, working with United Airlines, looks to link Manhattan with the region’s major airports.

    By • April 17, 2025
  • A woman photographs a child balancing on a railroad track at a marked train crossing.
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    John M. Chase via Getty Images
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    Federal Highway Administration could improve pedestrian safety at rail crossings: GAO

    The bipartisan infrastructure law increased funding for some state and local railroad crossing safety improvements, but federal guidance needs to be updated.

    By • April 16, 2025
  • Chevrolet Bolt EV charging Chicago
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    More public EV charging, including curbside, envisioned in Chicago plan

    “By prioritizing equity and public input, we’re creating a roadmap for electric transportation that serves every neighborhood and helps drive down emissions across Chicago,” CDOT Commissioner Tom Carney said.

    By Ryan Kushner • April 10, 2025
  • tunnel being constructed in the Second Avenue Subway project
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    Spencer Platt/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    MTA plans to build through federal, New York budget uncertainty

    The Second Avenue subway extension, Interborough Express light rail and other projects are progressing, but the transit agency’s long-term capital funding remains a concern.

    By Sebastian Obando • April 8, 2025
  • A smiling person at a podium speaking to an audience.
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    Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
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    Profile

    MassDOT CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt wants to connect the Commonwealth

    Early exposure to public transit was one step on her journey to Massachusetts transportation secretary and CEO of its Department of Transportation, she says. 

    By • April 8, 2025
  • A sign stating Toll: Congestion Relief Zone South of 61st Street on a signpost alongside a road with vehicles headed away from the viewer
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    MDoculus via Getty Images
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    New York congestion pricing is working, but threats remain: MIT panel

    Traffic congestion is down; transit, theater and restaurant indicators are up in New York City's central business district, but Trump administration efforts and lawsuits are putting the program at risk, the MIT webinar panelists said.

    By Ryan Kushner • April 4, 2025
  • A trash truck on a residential street
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    Courtesy of McNeilus
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    ‘Direct vision’ truck designs could reduce injuries, fatalities on city streets, stakeholder group says

    Together for Safer Roads has launched a group to advocate for integrating direct vision trucks into waste truck and other fleets to reduce crashes and fatalities, particularly in urban areas.

    By Megan Quinn • April 3, 2025
  • A row of school buses with solar panels on their roofs in a parking lot in front of charging stations with a ground-mounted solar panel alongside one of them.
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    Courtesy of Consolidated Edison Co.
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    Where 5 transportation innovators are working with cities and counties

    These communities are working with some of the businesses Fast Company named as most innovative in transportation in 2024.

    By Benton Graham • April 2, 2025
  • Screenshot of a virtual event panel featuring two executives and one editor
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    Peyton Bigora/Smart Cities Dive
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    Drones, sidewalk robots, other AVs among Walmart and Uber food delivery strategies

    The technologies are helping their companies speed up "need-it-now" delivery trips, executives said during a Grocery Dive virtual event.

    By Peyton Bigora • April 2, 2025
  • A General Motors Co. truck charges inside a garage.
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    Courtesy of Pacific Gas & Electric Company
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    GM Energy joins PG&E bidirectional EV charging pilot in California

    Certain electric vehicle owners are now eligible for discounts on charging equipment that can be used to power homes during blackouts.

    By Kalena Thomhave • March 28, 2025
  • Aerial view of city alongside a river.
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    simonkr via Getty Images
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    Sacramento, California, expands community car sharing program

    The program for income-qualified residents offers hourly rental of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

    By • March 28, 2025
  • Blue and white passenger train at a station with people on the platform at night.
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    Courtesy of Stadler
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    Where battery and hydrogen-powered trains are coming to US commuter rail

    Three global train manufacturers with zero-emission trains operating in Europe are vying for U.S. contracts.

    By • March 27, 2025
  • A large duo of spans is under construction over a vast body of water. Equipment litters the spans themselves.
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    Courtesy of Florida DOT
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    JV completes $865M Florida bridge expansion project

    The nearly 6-mile Howard Frankland Bridge crossing, which traverses Old Tampa Bay between Tampa and St. Petersburg, is the most expensive in the state’s history.

    By Matthew Thibault • March 27, 2025
  • One man is inserting a battery into a kiosk while another man stands alongside.
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    Retrieved from Shabazz Stuart, Oonneepod/X on March 26, 2025
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    Jersey City launches battery swapping program for e-bikes, scooters

    Residents can swap depleted e-mobility batteries for new ones at stations that also offer micromobility parking and charging. The city says the program is a U.S. first.

    By Kalena Thomhave • March 26, 2025
  • Man seated at table with the seal of the President of the United States surrounded by men and women.
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    US infrastructure gets a C, its highest grade ever, in ASCE report card

    Infrastructure needs long-term, continuous investment to maintain and continue to improve, however, the civil engineering group said. 

    By Michelle M. Havich • March 26, 2025
  • Several people on a train station platform with a commuter train and a sign reading "New Rochelle."
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    A train station is at the heart of this NYC suburb’s downtown revitalization

    New Rochelle, New York, has attracted $2 billion in development and seen its population grow over 7% in five years. Now, a project to remake its iconic train station aims to bring further benefits.

    By • March 25, 2025
  • People walking on a station platform as a silver trains lettered "CTA" has its doors open.
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    Brian Kersey via Getty Images
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    Chicago-area transit agencies face fiscal and federal threats

    The Northern Illinois transportation authority that oversees bus, train and commuter rail services warned of a $770 million funding gap.

    By • Updated March 25, 2025
  • Interior of the new Terminal E at Southwest Florida International Airport.
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    Courtesy of Lee County Port Authority
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    $1.1B southwest Florida airport expansion breaks ground

    Suffolk’s Terminal E project in Fort Myers, Florida, is the largest municipal construction effort in county history.

    By Julie Strupp • March 24, 2025
  • A massive cargo ship sits in the middle of a river surrounded by debris.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Maryland officials failed to test Key Bridge vulnerability

    The National Transportation Safety Board said the span was nearly 30 times above the acceptable risk threshold and urged owners to evaluate 68 older bridges across the country.

    By Zachary Phillips • March 21, 2025
  • Aerial view of pilings and workers constructing a large viaduct.
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    Courtesy of California High-Speed Rail Authority
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    Can USDOT kill California high-speed rail?

    Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told the Federal Railroad Administration to review the Los Angeles-to-San Francisco project with an eye toward clawing back $4 billion in federal funds.

    By • March 20, 2025
  • Woman and man seated on a stage in front of a banner that reads "NLC - National Leage of Cities."
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    Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
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    City leaders name housing, public safety and infrastructure as top issues

    The National League of Cities Congressional City Conference brought together 3,000 city leaders to discuss these issues, with appearances from EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Vice President JD Vance.

    By • March 18, 2025
  • Two men shaking hands in front of a sign that reads "The White House - Washington."
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Up to $51B in transportation grant awards at risk, advocacy group says

    Transportation for America analyzed a leaked Department of Transportation policy memo that targets road safety, bicycle and electric vehicle infrastructure projects.

    By • March 17, 2025
  • A Chicago Transit Authority electric bus stopped near the Navy Pier.
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    Courtesy of Regional Transportation Authority
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    Transit agencies continue to add zero-emission buses to their fleets

    More than 7,000 full-size battery and fuel cell electric buses are in use or on the way, according to Calstart’s latest report, but shifting federal policies could affect future growth.

    By • March 14, 2025
  • An image of a man's face appears amid a soft foreground and background.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    EPA revisiting dozens of climate, environment rules in ‘day of deregulation’

    The agency said it would roll back a range of rules and programs, including some that are foundational to its efforts to address climate change. A new WOTUS definition is expected, as well as rollbacks to an emissions reporting program.

    By Jacob Wallace • March 13, 2025
  • People on a subway platform hold up cell phones to photograph a new subway train arriving in the station with a sign announcing its inaugural ride
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    New approaches to procurement can drive innovation in public transit

    The lengthy process from RFP to equipment delivery can result in trains that are already obsolete when they go into service. New technologies and procurement approaches could help.

    By Gabriel J. Lopez-Bernal • March 13, 2025