Transportation: Page 17

  • Side view of electric motor coach with Amtrak livery.
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    Permission granted by MTRWestern
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    Deep Dive

    Amtrak begins its first electric bus service to complement train schedules

    While intercity passenger rail and bus lines often compete, they also collaborate, and some see partnerships as a predecessor to Amtrak expansion.

    By • Aug. 16, 2023
  • U.S. President Joe Biden stands between two rail cars in front of a red, white and blue flag that reads, "Hudson Tunnel Project."
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Federal infrastructure investments buoy engineering and construction firms

    “More than 36,000 transportation improvement projects” have advanced due to the 2021 infrastructure law, said the chair of the American Road and Transportation Builders Association.

    By • Aug. 14, 2023
  • smart city, smart cities Explore the Trendlineâž”
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    jamesteohart via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Smart Cities Dive

    From worsening climate change to a shifting transportation landscape and the housing affordability crisis, cities have their work cut out for them.

    By Smart Cities Dive staff
  • A woman and child are about to enter a white self-driving, ride-hailing vehicle with large sensors on the roof in San Francisco.
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    Courtesy of Waymo
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    Cruise robotaxi investigations

    Robotaxi ride-hailing expansion approved by California regulators despite local objections

    Cruise and Waymo will be allowed to charge fares for riders in driverless robotaxis 24 hours a day throughout San Francisco, a win for the two companies. First responders had opposed the move.

    By • Aug. 11, 2023
  • An electric pickup truck charging in a garage.
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    Courtesy of General Motors
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    More GM electric vehicles will be able to charge homes in coming years

    The bidirectional charging technology uses a GM vehicle’s battery as a backup power source in the event of a power outage.

    By Eric Walz • Aug. 10, 2023
  • An illustration shows a white bullet train on a viaduct crossing over a road with several pickup trucks on it.
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    Courtesy of Texas Central
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    Amtrak and Texas Central could partner on Dallas-Houston high-speed rail

    The proposal, which marks the start of Amtrak’s new high-speed rail push, could help restart the stalled Texas project.

    By • Aug. 10, 2023
  • A line of cars under a Lyft ride-hailing sign along a walkway with people and luggage.
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Lyft driver and rider numbers up in Q2, but long-term plans uncertain

    With losses continuing despite cost-cutting, changes to its micromobility segment or a sale of the company are on analysts’ minds.

    By • Aug. 9, 2023
  • A blue 40-foot transit bus lettered as "Battery Electric" on a multi-lane road with blurred skyscrapers in the background.
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    Courtesy of Proterra
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    Electric bus maker Proterra files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

    Citing "market and macroeconomic headwinds," the U.S.-based manufacturer looks to restructure its business.

    By • Aug. 8, 2023
  • A fleet of white eVTOL aircraft with four rotors, one parked with landing gear on concrete surface in front of glass terminal building and others in midflight.
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    peepo via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    Advanced air mobility research center grows in Tulsa, Oklahoma

    Tulsa Innovation Labs sees the region's aerospace industry as a strong foundation for economic growth, jobs and better regional mobility.

    By • Aug. 7, 2023
  • Cars are backed up bumper-to-bumper on a multilane highway, seen from behind.
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    David McNew via Getty Images
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    Vehicle greenhouse gas emissions measured inconsistently by states, cities: GAO

    Although motor vehicles account for the vast majority of transportation-related CO2 emissions, authorities face challenges in gathering and measuring useful data.

    By • Aug. 4, 2023
  • A row of green bicycles on a rack next to a sidewalk.
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    Diy13 via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    How to safely store e-bikes, e-scooters in apartments

    The uptick in micromobility battery fires shows electrification is "moving faster than we’re able to necessarily adapt to," a fire protection expert at an engineering consulting firm said.

    By Mary Salmonsen • Aug. 3, 2023
  • Back of a border patrol truck driving on a dirt road along the Mexican border in Arizona, with mountains in the background.
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    Phototreat via Getty Images
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    Fleet electrification planning a struggle for federal agencies: GAO

    High costs and a lack of suitable zero-emission vehicles hamper the government’s ability to meet Biden administration targets, a Government Accountability Office report says.

    By • Aug. 3, 2023
  • A gray four-door crossover vehicle parked in an electric vehicle charging stall with a woman holding a charging cable to the car.
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    Courtesy of EVgo Services LLC. Used with permission.
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    General Motors, EVgo charging network hits 1,000th charger milestone

    “The availability of fast charging infrastructure is key to widespread EV adoption," said EVgo's CEO.

    By • Aug. 2, 2023
  • A man speaks at a podium with out of focus construction machinery behind him.
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    Courtesy of Office of Gov. Josh Shapiro
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    $400M job training program in PA aims to boost infrastructure projects

    Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has created a workforce development grant designed to help employers pay wages and training costs.

    By Zachary Phillips • Aug. 1, 2023
  • People line up for their rides in front of a sign that reads "Uber Pickup Zone."
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Ride-hailing leader Uber saw total trips jump 22% in Q2

    Its "mobility business continues to fire on all cylinders," Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in prepared remarks for its second-quarter earnings call. 

    By • Aug. 1, 2023
  • A gray four-door crossover vehicle with a woman seated with her hand on the steering wheel is parked in front of a Hertz building.
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    Courtesy of Hertz/GM
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    Hertz grows EV fleet, city partnerships

    The company is positioning itself for an "electric future" with EV rentals for ride-sharing drivers and other customers, EV charging and more, CEO says.

    By • July 31, 2023
  • Electric scooters on a sidewalk in a city with people and buildings in the background.
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    Garrett Aitken via Getty Images
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    Bird, Helbiz paths diverge as micromobility market evolves

    While Bird touts recent permit renewals in more than two dozen cities, Helbiz exited numerous communities and business ventures — but plans a merger.

    By Kalena Thomhave • July 28, 2023
  • A photo of a Lyft logo on a car's dashboard.
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    Kelly Sullivan/Stringer/Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
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    Lyft may sell or restructure its bike and scooter business

    With its new CEO intent on restructuring the company, Lyft said it's open to “credible proposals.”

    By • July 28, 2023
  • A Chevy Bolt EV plugged in at a charging station.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    7 automakers form massive EV charging network joint venture

    The collaboration will create one of North America's largest public EV charging networks and include 30,000 high-powered chargers.

    By Eric Walz • July 27, 2023
  • View from above of an advanced electric takeoff and landing, or eVTOL, aircraft, parked.
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    Courtesy of Archer Aviation
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    Q&A

    Urban air mobility could give residents more ‘freedom to move about,’ former FAA official says

    “The world is hungry” for eVTOL air taxi technology, says former acting Federal Aviation Administrator Billy Nolen, now chief safety officer for Archer Aviation.

    By • July 27, 2023
  • An angular view of the U.S. Capitol building against a clear blue sky.
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    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
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    Autonomous vehicle regulation focus of House subcommittee hearing

    Industry groups favor the proposed bipartisan legislation, but safety advocates fiercely oppose provisions they say “turn our Nation’s public roadways into private testing grounds.”

    By • Updated July 27, 2023
  • An Amtrak train crosses a bridge from right to left leaving North Station in Boston.
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    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
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    Amtrak looks to upgrade maintenance facilities in 4 major cities

    Amtrak says the facility upgrades will improve service reliability, provide more efficient maintenance practices and support projected ridership growth.

    By Joe Burns • July 21, 2023
  • A pedestrian, EMT and fire department representative stand around a n FDNY table and van promoting lithium ion battery safety along a New York street.
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    Permission granted by FDNY
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    Deadly battery fires from e-bikes, scooters prompt action in NYC

    The city launched an education campaign, as legislators push for new policy and community groups strive to reach micromobility-reliant delivery workers.

    By Kalena Thomhave • July 21, 2023
  • A protected bike lane in a city.
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    EvgeniiAnd/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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    Transportation inequities won’t be solved by continuing past practices: report

    The report is geared to elected officials that "are talking about equity" but don't understand that existing programs aren't designed to deliver those results, "no matter how much money you put into it," a transportation policy expert said. 

    By • July 20, 2023
  • The dome of U.S. Capitol is seen framed by trees.
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    Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
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    House bill would slash funds for transit, Amtrak, equity programs

    The proposed fiscal 2024 federal transportation budget would cut two major grant programs and impose restrictions on how certain funds could be used.

    By • July 19, 2023
  • A woman ride an e-scooter in a protected bike lane.
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    Extreme Media/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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    Spin e-scooters exit Pittsburgh amid state budget impasse

    The city lauded the e-scooter pilot’s success, but critics say the program cluttered sidewalks and excluded many residents. 

    By Kalena Thomhave • July 18, 2023