5 strategies to advance micromobility for urban last-mile delivery: report

If urban deliveries grow 78% by 2030 as predicted, traffic and emissions will grow too, an Uber-commissioned whitepaper states. The use of bikes, cargo bikes, trolleys and drones could reduce those impacts.

By Charles Pekow • June 24, 2022

Transportation, labor, business, environmental groups object to Biden gas tax holiday proposal

The administration's plan for a three-month suspension of federal fuel taxes to help alleviate high prices received bipartisan pushback.

By Dan Zukowski • June 23, 2022

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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

New York transit authority to upgrade most inaccessible subway stations by 2055

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority agreed to add ramps or elevators to 95% of all inaccessible New York City subway stations under a lengthy timeline resolving multiple class-action lawsuits.

By Maria Rachal • June 23, 2022

Transit worker shortage could be exacerbated by proposed federal drug testing rules, labor leader says

With transit agencies, Amtrak and airlines pressed for workers, the president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, said changes could cause some employees to lose their jobs and deter potential hires.

By Dan Zukowski • June 22, 2022

Las Vegas approves Boring Co. Loop under downtown

The city council last week greenlit an agreement with the Elon Musk-owned company, permitting it to build, own and operate underground tunnels beneath the Las Vegas Strip.

By Zachary Phillips • June 22, 2022

Micromobility operator Helbiz announces intent to acquire Wheels

The deal would bring together two micromobility players and give Helbiz seated scooter and integrated helmet assets.

By Maria Rachal • June 21, 2022

AI-enabled cameras and lidar can improve traffic today and support the AVs of tomorrow

Upgrading traffic cameras with AI improves performance and prepares for advancements such as autonomous vehicles. Future systems will likely tap the benefits of both cameras and lidar, write the co-founders of AI platform Derq.

By Georges Aoude and Karl Jeanbart • June 17, 2022

FTA seeks public comments on automated transit bus research

Regulators want to hear from transit operators and users as more automated buses and shuttles begin testing on city streets. “The No. 1 focus for us is, can this benefit safety?” said Federal Transit Administration’s Karina Ricks.

By Dan Zukowski • June 15, 2022

Cars using self-driving technology involved in hundreds of crashes over 10 months: NHTSA

Tesla vehicles using advanced driver assistance systems — like its Autopilot feature — were involved in 75% of the reported crashes between July 2021 and May 15, 2022, according to NHTSA data.

By Danielle McLean • June 15, 2022

Transit advocates create NYC subway safety plan to address root causes of crime

The Riders Alliance held a rally in Brooklyn this weekend to roll out a public safety plan that calls for funding for shelter beds and permanent housing, among other measures, to improve safety.

By Dan Zukowski • June 13, 2022

DOT proposes rules for national EV charging network, including 97% uptime and 150 kW requirements

The proposal, which requires fast-charging stations to offer a standard plug and at least four charging ports, would apply to projects funded by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program.

By Robert Walton • June 10, 2022

Micromobility operators expand their footprint in small and midsized cities

As e-scooter and e-bike fleets hit the streets in dozens of smaller cities nationwide, operators try to take a localized approach to address many of the same complaints that have been voiced by residents of larger cities.

By Austyn Gaffney • June 9, 2022

Traffic deaths addressed in House transportation subcommittee hearing

Witnesses spoke about the surge in traffic fatalities, including pedestrian and bicyclist deaths while warning that inflation is eating into the funds available from the bipartisan infrastructure law to address these issues.

By Dan Zukowski • June 9, 2022

Efforts to reduce distracted driving a 'traffic safety culture failure'

The Governors Highway Safety Association outlined more than two dozen recommendations for states to combat distracted driving, saying a “cultural reset” is needed.

By Dan Zukowski • June 8, 2022

EVTOL aircraft could become common in cities in the 2030s: Deloitte

Investors are pouring billions into advanced air mobility companies, but one local transportation leader cautions that cities have to be "included in the conversation" to fulfill their regulatory and community responsibilities.

By Dan Zukowski • June 7, 2022

Federal funding uncertainty affects transportation planning, study finds

While states and regions have strategies to mitigate the negative effects, their transportation asset quality, federal highway network size and access to funding alternatives factor into the extent it affects them.

By Charles Pekow • June 2, 2022

Aerospace accelerator CEO forecasts a 'wave of disruptions' in urban air mobility

VTOL and other advanced air mobility technologies will change urban transportation, but the transformation will be slower than many expect, says Starburst CEO François Chopard. 

By Dan Zukowski • May 27, 2022

Pittsburgh targets bike, pedestrian infrastructure spending using traffic and crash data analysis

Adding StreetLight Data’s trip information to the city’s crash data, the project found that areas with less bike and pedestrian traffic experienced the most severe crashes.

By Charles Pekow • May 26, 2022

Philadelphia joins cities tackling bike lane parking violations

Following a decrease in the enforcement of bike lane parking regulations during the pandemic, the Philadelphia Parking Authority is rolling out an initiative dedicated to cracking down on rule-breakers.

By Cailin Crowe • May 25, 2022

Infrastructure coordinators help cities pursue funding, evaluate projects

In the spirit of cities wanting to “dig once” when it comes to infrastructure improvements, local governments are tapping coordinators to oversee projects as they access millions in federal funds.

By Karen Kroll • May 23, 2022

Mobility leaders dream of a less car-centric future

At the National Shared Mobility Summit, leaders envisioned a more accessible and racially equitable shared mobility landscape, highlighting the role of compensated community engagement to help achieve that vision.

By Cailin Crowe • May 23, 2022

Micromobility companies use Google augmented reality technology to target scooter litter

Disability rights advocates say it’s too soon to know whether the technology will reduce the hazards caused by improperly parked scooters, but increasing awareness is an important first step.

By Melissa Goldin • May 20, 2022

Autonomous transit buses will still need skilled operators, researchers say

Automation can't handle all the situations a driver may encounter and would add stress to human operators who might have to react at a moment's notice, a report states. Labor leaders ask for "strong federal rules” to govern this tech.

By Dan Zukowski • May 20, 2022

Amtrak advances intercity corridor plan

States, cities and other public bodies can submit proposals this year for new or added passenger train service, but some worry that small and rural communities will struggle to compete with larger regions.

By Dan Zukowski • May 19, 2022

Chicago bike-share program rolls out charging stations for e-bikes

Lyft and CDOT will gather data during the initial pilot to guide the charging station network expansion.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 19, 2022