13 predictions about the trends that will shape smart cities in 2023

Cities will get smarter about transportation infrastructure needs, continue to rethink the use of downtown spaces and look at where data can help inform various operations, readers said.

By Danielle McLean • Jan. 3, 2023

CES 2023 spotlights EV, AV, air taxi technology

Major companies including BMW, Microsoft, Qualcomm, Panasonic and Stellantis will showcase technologies for electric, autonomous and connected vehicles. Air mobility news is also expected.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 3, 2023

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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

10 conversations in 2022 on the future of mobility, high-speed rail, resilience and more

Smart Cities Dive caught up with executives from businesses including GM and Replica; officials from Austin, Oakland and other cities; and leaders from the U.S. Congress and Ukraine.

Jan. 3, 2023

How Inflation Reduction Act funding could affect cities

The federal support could help cities reduce carbon emissions, become more resilient to extreme weather and pursue climate justice.

By Danielle McLean • Dec. 26, 2022

7 top news stories about Amtrak and high-speed rail in 2022

With historic funding from the 2021 infrastructure law, Amtrak plans construction and expansion while others push high-speed rail projects.

By Dan Zukowski • Dec. 26, 2022

Federal safety regulators begin investigation into self-driving taxis

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is delving into reported incidents of GM’s Cruise autonomous ride-hailing vehicles hard braking or becoming disabled.

By Dan Zukowski • Dec. 22, 2022

These 5 big transit projects were wrapping up as 2022 ended

Multibillion-dollar rail transit projects like those that just opened in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., can take years to build but bring benefits to residents, researchers say.

By Dan Zukowski • Updated Jan. 3, 2023

Electric vehicle sales surged in 2022

Consumers flocked to buy electric vehicles, and transit agencies turned to electric buses as states began mandating zero-emission vehicles.

By Dan Zukowski • Dec. 22, 2022

As e-bike fires rise, calls grow for education and regulation

Some point to cheap aftermarket batteries as the primary factor in e-bike and e-scooter battery fires and worry that micromobility device storage bans will set back transportation decarbonization efforts.

By Dan Rosenbaum • Dec. 22, 2022

Micromobility’s rocky 2022 recovery

Bird, Lime, Lyft and other micromobility companies grew their existing operations and expanded to small- and mid-sized markets earlier this year before shuttering some operations and laying off workers in the face of economic headwinds.

By Michael Brady • Dec. 21, 2022

Amtrak intercity rail corridor proposals solicited by FRA

More than 30 new Amtrak routes and increased service on 20 existing lines could result from the Federal Railroad Administration’s effort, which uses funds from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law.

By Dan Zukowski • Dec. 21, 2022

Final part of $2.3B Green Line extension opens in Boston area

The Medford Branch provides five new stations and a direct ride from Tufts University to downtown Boston.

By Julie Strupp • Dec. 21, 2022

Postal Service to acquire 66,000 EVs by 2028

The electric delivery vehicles will start hitting the streets by the end of 2023, the U.S. Postal Service stated. The announcement followed criticism that the agency wasn’t transitioning enough of its fleet.

By Michael Brady • Dec. 21, 2022

FTA announces $686M in grants for rail station accessibility

It’s estimated about a quarter of U.S. rail stations are inaccessible. The Federal Transit Administration’s first round of funding under the All Stations Accessibility Program will improve 28 stations in nine states.

By Dan Zukowski • Dec. 20, 2022

New York state climate panel outlines ambitious road map to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

The plan is a “bold, monumental achievement,” New York’s environmental commissioner said, but the head of an independent power producer industry group said it fails to adequately address grid reliability.

By Stephen Singer • Dec. 20, 2022

Amtrak unveils faster, more fuel-efficient trains for intercity routes

By 2026, new Amtrak trains partially funded by the 2021 infrastructure law will begin replacing nearly 50-year-old trains along routes from Maine to Florida and in the Pacific Northwest.

By Dan Zukowski • Dec. 19, 2022

Bird, Lime, Spin part of dockless e-bike pilot in Nashville, Tennessee

The city and the service providers aim to evaluate whether shared, dockless e-bikes are a viable micromobility transportation option in the pilot neighborhoods. 

By Michael Brady • Dec. 16, 2022

DOT to provide $1.5 billion for hard-to-fund transportation projects

Rural and urban areas will each receive half the funding, with at least $15 million guaranteed for projects in communities where there is persistent poverty or those considered historically disadvantaged.

By Michael Brady • Dec. 15, 2022

US reaches 140k public EV charging ports as key federal official says $90B infrastructure investment needed

The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation is preparing to finalize rules setting out minimum standards for a nationally-funded electric vehicle charging network.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2022

Uber Eats, Cartken debut autonomous robot delivery in Miami area

This partnership builds on Uber Eats’ existing relationships with delivery robot providers, including Motional, Serve Robotics and Nuro. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 15, 2022

Successful micromobility programs require long-term partnerships, panelists say

Cities are increasingly working on more collaborative, long-term operating agreements that are flexible but hold operators to a high standard, one panelist said during a webinar hosted by the Eno Center for Transportation.

By Charles Pekow • Dec. 14, 2022

Tampa pilots mobility-as-a-service app

The Moovit app aims to identify the most convenient way to reach a destination, whether using micromobility, ride-sharing services or other transit options. It also allows users to pay for public transit, find parking and more.

By Danielle McLean • Dec. 13, 2022

Demand soars for EV charging at apartments

Infrastructure options and cost incentives have become more complex as the electric vehicle revolution gears up.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Dec. 13, 2022

Lyft offers its ride-sharing drivers incentives to switch to EVs

The program is the latest in a series of moves Lyft has taken to fulfill its pledge to transition entirely to electric vehicles by 2030.

By Michael Brady • Dec. 12, 2022

Bridging the road safety divide with connected car data.

Whether in a motor vehicle, on a bike or motorcycle or as a pedestrian, road and traffic safety remains a serious problem.

By Harnit Anand, Manager, Global Innovation, Future Roads & Smart City Incubation • Dec. 12, 2022