Traffic ticks up but remains below pre-pandemic levels: report

Downtown trips are down nearly 25% compared with 2019 as office workers work remotely, according to INRIX. Boston, for example, ranked first in the U.S. for congestion in 2019 but has seen traffic levels drop 47% since then.

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 7, 2021

As infrastructure funds begin to flow, climate, safety, equity impacts are not enough, some say

With most Transportation Department infrastructure funding going to roads and bridges, the money could perpetuate practices that fail to address certain key fronts, critics say.

By Dan Zukowski • Dec. 2, 2021

Explore the 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

'The crossroads between climate and equity': Advocates push for transit justice

With the momentum of the just-passed bipartisan infrastructure bill and a growing emphasis on equity, advocates work toward building greater transit justice for underserved communities. 

By Dan Zukowski • Dec. 1, 2021

Miami set to temporarily restore scooters after ending pilot program

Less than two weeks after removing scooters due to safety concerns, the city commission is bringing them back — with new rules.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 30, 2021

'A long way to go': How utilities are helping 6 cities meet big EV goals

From New York City to Los Angeles, cities and utilities face cost, land and grid challenges in their efforts to electrify transportation systems.

By Robert Walton , Emma Penrod , Jason Plautz , Scott Van Voorhis • Nov. 30, 2021

Cycling surge here to stay in many cities, report suggests

A host of Southern cities have seen significant jumps in ridership since before the pandemic. "If we match the demand with real infrastructure, who knows what our numbers could be," said one official at Walk Bike Nashville.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 29, 2021

Transit leaders debate urban mobility myths 'busted' by the pandemic

At the CoMotion LA conference last week, transportation leaders from Miami, Los Angeles and Vancouver reflected on how transit can better serve communities and where universal basic mobility could play a future role. 

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 24, 2021

Bird, Lime lead micromobility expansion after pandemic lull

Following Bird going public and Lime raising $523 million, one analyst said the industry may see its greatest growth by expanding existing operations, whereas “second-tier cities” might lack the ridership to support larger investments.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 22, 2021

Flying taxis, hyperloops and driverless cars: Is it too early to start planning for future mobility?

Miami, Orlando and Pittsburgh are planning for air mobility and other novel modes of transport decades ahead. Critics say focusing on flashy, futuristic technologies distracts from simpler solutions for today.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 19, 2021

Buyer interest in EVs grows as automakers introduce more appealing models

Electric vehicle sales may be nearing a tipping point, according to experts, due to rising consumer interest and an influx of new models from mainstream and startup auto manufacturers. 

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 18, 2021

Traffic is Boring: Tracking Elon Musk's tunneling proposals

Some projects for The Boring Co. have gotten off — or rather under — the ground, as others peter out. Here's where the ambitious plans stand today.

By Zachary Phillips • Nov. 17, 2021

Amtrak's $117B Northeast Corridor revamp expected to benefit local cities

The 15-year upgrade of the Washington, D.C.-New York-Boston route will increase capacity and travel times, while also benefiting localities with new stations and transit-oriented development.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 12, 2021

NYC electric bike fires on pace to double in 2021

E-bike fires were linked to 72 injuries and three deaths through October in New York City. From London to Austin, Texas, city safety officials have noted lithium-ion battery fire risks with the increasingly popular micromobility devices.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 10, 2021

Smart city evolution: How cities have stepped back from a 'tech arms race'

Following the 'first wave' of the smart cities movement, local leaders describe how they have largely shifted from a tech-first to a resident-first approach.

By Danielle McLean , Maria Rachal , Dan Zukowski • Nov. 9, 2021

Reassessing the smart cities movement

Smart Cities Dive asked 25 of the largest U.S. cities how they define a "smart city" and how that definition has evolved, the challenges they've faced in rolling out equitable policies and technologies, and their outlook for what's next.

By the Smart Cities Dive Team • Nov. 9, 2021

Transportation leaders react to passage of infrastructure bill with funds for transit, EVs, rail

Industry advocates and private sector players praised the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act as a landmark first step while looking ahead to the Build Back Better Act.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 8, 2021

EV adoption poised to surge if Congress OKs $100B in purchase incentives, experts say

U.S. electric vehicle sales could finish 2021 at 5% of new purchases, according to industry observers. That's a milestone, but experts say adoption could really take off depending on federal government investments.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 5, 2021

Traffic deaths soar in first half of 2021 as experts debate best solutions

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is creating a strategy to combat traffic fatalities, which according to an agency report, rose 18% during the first half of 2021.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 4, 2021

As Tesla, Ford and others invest billions in EVs, will the power system be ready?

The new White House zero emission vehicle target of 50% of new car sales by 2030 has a long way to go, a short time to get there, and big challenges ahead.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 3, 2021

New York City races ahead with its e-scooter pilot. Will slow and steady pay off?

After watching from the sidelines for the past few years, New York City has finally taken the plunge and launched its first-ever shared e-scooter pilot program.

Nov. 1, 2021

Greyhound acquired by fast-growing FlixMobility, which aims to expand bus travel in the US

Greyhound and the intercity bus industry have struggled with declining ridership, exacerbated by the pandemic. Munich-based FlixMobility, operating in 36 countries, says it can expand the U.S. market for long-distance bus travel.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 29, 2021

Populus CEO: Cities should be able to leverage 'really messy data' for Vision Zero efforts

As part of the second phase of a U.S. Department of Transportation-backed initiative, mobility data firm Populus intends to help cities use data from micromobility fleet operators to craft road safety plans.

By Jason Plautz • Oct. 28, 2021

Jaywalking reform efforts see mixed results across states, cities

Policymakers in California, Virginia, Philadelphia and Kansas City, Missouri, are among those who have considered how to promote pedestrian safety while reducing enforcement inequities.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 22, 2021

Amtrak plans major expansion by 2035 if infrastructure bill passes

Amtrak's expansion plans could connect small towns and reduce inequalities, while boosting development, housing and jobs in cities. However, those ambitions face some hurdles. 

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 20, 2021

We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to meet cities' pressing needs. Let's get it done.

Passing the Biden infrastructure bill will have ripple effects across the U.S., writes Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, driving investments in areas including electric vehicles, energy efficiency and recycling infrastructure. 

By Kate Gallego • Oct. 18, 2021